Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard: what they mean and what moves you between them.
Insurance companies organize term life prices by rate class. The names differ slightly among carriers, but the structure is standard: Preferred Plus (occasionally called Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, then table ratings for bigger risks. Tobacco users have a parallel tier of classes at higher prices.
What underwriters look at
Body measurements and weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, family history of heart disease or cancer before age 60, moving violations, medication history, line of work, pastimes, and use of tobacco or nicotine. The top class needs nearly all results to be clean; Preferred allows a little more room; Standard Plus and Standard welcome managed conditions like controlled blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question asks you to be truthful about yourself: Excellent aligns with Preferred Plus, Very good with Preferred, Good with Standard Plus, and Average with Standard. Your quote reflects that class, though the carrier determines the final class after underwriting. If you're unsure, quote both classes and compare, then let underwriting confirm. Picking a class that's too optimistic won't reduce your actual premium; it just makes your estimate less accurate.
Susman Insurance Agency can help you find carriers with underwriting guidelines friendlier to your specific condition, which often matters more than the headline rate.