Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard: what each label means and what determines which one applies.
Carriers set term life prices by rate class. Company names shift slightly, but the tier order stays the same: Preferred Plus (Super Preferred, Preferred Best in some places), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, then table ratings for above-average risk. Tobacco applicants have their own tier sequence at higher prices.
What underwriters look at
Build (height and weight), blood pressure and cholesterol, family history of early heart disease or cancer, driving record, Rx history, job and hobbies, and tobacco or nicotine use. The top class requires clean marks on nearly everything; Preferred permits some variation; Standard Plus and Standard accommodate managed conditions like controlled high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question asks you to assess yourself truthfully: Excellent aligns with Preferred Plus, Very good with Preferred, Good with Standard Plus and Average with Standard. Quotes match that class; underwriting confirms the true class later. Unsure? Quote both classes side-by-side, then let the application determine reality. Inflating your health class won't cut your final price; it just makes the quote less accurate.
Susman Insurance Agency can assist you in comparing carriers with more flexible criteria for your particular situation, which frequently matters more than the listed rate.