Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard: what they mean and what gets you into each one.
Carriers organize term pricing by rate class. Names shift slightly between carriers, but the structure is: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, then table ratings for above-standard risk. Tobacco users get a separate set of classes at higher rates.
What underwriters look at
Build (height and weight), blood pressure and cholesterol, family cancer or heart disease before 60, driving record, rx history, occupation and hobbies, and tobacco or nicotine use. Preferred Plus needs clean results across most; Preferred allows a bit more; Standard Plus and Standard accept controlled conditions like treated high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
Describe your health honestly in the tool: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. The quotes use your chosen class; the carrier verifies the actual class during underwriting. If you are uncertain, quote multiple classes and compare; the application will settle it. An inflated class does not reduce the premium—it just makes the estimate wrong.
Susman Insurance Agency can help identify carriers whose medical guidelines are more flexible for your situation, which often makes a bigger difference than the listed rate.