Guide
Health classes explained
A rundown of the rate classes—Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard—what they stand for, and what determines your placement in each one.
Life insurance carriers organize their pricing around rate classes. The exact names shift from carrier to carrier, but the structure stays the same: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, and then table ratings for elevated risk. People who use tobacco occupy their own set of classes with higher premiums.
What underwriters look at
Height and weight ratio, blood pressure, cholesterol numbers, whether heart disease or cancer ran in your family before age 60, your driving record, medications you take, your job and hobbies, and any tobacco or nicotine use. The top classes demand strong numbers on almost everything; Preferred is more forgiving; Standard Plus and Standard accommodate managed conditions like blood pressure that is treated and under control.
How to use the quote tool
When we ask about your health, answer truthfully: Excellent aligns with Preferred Plus, Very good with Preferred, Good with Standard Plus, and Average with Standard. Your quotes will be based on that selection, but the carrier has the final say after reviewing your application. If you're torn between two, get quotes for both and compare—the form will sort it out. Picking a rosier class won't actually lower what you pay; it just makes the quote less realistic.
Susman Insurance Agency specializes in comparing carriers that look favorably on certain health conditions—sometimes more important than just the advertised rate.