Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard: what each one means and what changes your class.
Carriers divide term life into rate classes. Different companies use different names, but the order is the same: Preferred Plus (also Super Preferred or Best Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, then table ratings for riskier cases. Tobacco users have their own tiers at higher rates.
What underwriters look at
Weight and height, blood pressure and cholesterol, family heart or cancer before age 60, driving record, medicines, job and activities, and any tobacco or nicotine use. Preferred Plus wants nearly perfect results across the board; Preferred allows a bit more; Standard Plus and Standard approve controlled conditions like blood pressure that is being treated.
How to use the quote tool
The health section asks you to be honest about yourself: Excellent becomes Preferred Plus, Very good becomes Preferred, Good becomes Standard Plus and Average becomes Standard. Your quotes show that class; the carrier sets the final class after their underwriting. If you are not sure, run quotes in two classes to compare, then let your application determine the outcome. Being overly optimistic does not lower your premium; it just makes the quote less useful.
Susman Insurance Agency knows which carriers are a better fit for specific health situations, which often makes a bigger difference than the starting rate.