Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard: what these labels represent and what factors shift you from one class to another.
Insurance carriers organize term life pricing into rate classes. While names vary between companies, the hierarchy is steady: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, and higher-risk categories with added costs. Tobacco users occupy a separate set of classes at elevated rates.
What underwriters look at
Height and weight relative to age, blood pressure and cholesterol readings, family disease history (especially heart disease or cancer before age 60), motor vehicle history, medicines you've taken, your job and hobbies, and tobacco or nicotine in any form. The best class requires strong marks across almost everything; Preferred allows some leeway; Standard Plus and Standard approve controlled situations like managed high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
When you answer the health question, pick the description that fits you honestly: Excellent shows as Preferred Plus, Very good as Preferred, Good as Standard Plus, and Average as Standard. Your estimate reflects that class; the carrier will verify during underwriting. Unsure which describes you? Quote both and compare, then let the underwriting result settle it. Choosing an optimistic class won't reduce your final premium—it just makes the guess less useful.
Susman Insurance Agency has expertise in carriers whose underwriting guidelines are more favorable for specific conditions. The carrier selection often matters more than the headline rate.