Guide
Health classes explained
How the four main underwriting tiers—Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard—work and what factors shift you between them.
Carriers rank term-life applicants into rate classes. The exact names vary between companies, but the system follows a pattern: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, with further table ratings for higher risk. Tobacco users have their own separate classes at higher rates.
What underwriters look at
Height and weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, any family heart or cancer history before age 60, traffic and medical history, any prescriptions you take, your job and hobbies, and tobacco or nicotine use. The top tier demands clean results across virtually everything. Preferred is a notch lower. Standard Plus and Standard accommodate managed medical conditions—like controlled blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question asks you to rate yourself truthfully: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. Your quote reflects that choice, but the carrier confirms the actual class after underwriting. When in doubt between classes, quote both and compare—the application will determine the final class. Picking an overly optimistic class doesn't lower your premium; it just skews your estimate.
Susman Insurance Agency has the knowledge to match you with carriers that look favorably on your specific situation. Often, that carrier alignment matters more than chasing the lowest quoted rate.