Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard: what these classifications mean and what factors determine which class you receive.
Carriers structure term life pricing by rate class. The terminology shifts slightly between companies, but the progression remains the same: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, and then table ratings for higher risk. Tobacco users have a separate class structure that costs more.
What underwriters look at
Weight relative to height, blood pressure numbers and cholesterol levels, whether heart disease or cancer runs in your family before age 60, your driving history, the medications you take, your line of work and hobbies, and any tobacco or nicotine use. Getting the best class means clean results in nearly all areas; Preferred allows some minor issues; Standard Plus and Standard accommodate managed conditions such as controlled high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question asks you to describe yourself accurately: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus and Average to Standard. Your quote reflects that classification; the carrier determines the final class during underwriting. If you are unsure, quote two different classes and compare them, letting the application sort it out later. Choosing a higher-than-accurate class does not reduce your final bill; it only makes the estimate less realistic.
Susman Insurance Agency can assist you in finding carriers with underwriting guidelines tailored to your specific situation, which frequently matters more than the initial quoted rate.