Guide
Health classes explained
Understanding Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard designations, what each indicates, and what factors may place you in a given category.
Carriers determine term rates using underwriting categories. Titles differ slightly between companies, but the progression stays consistent: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, plus table adjustments for above-standard risk. Smokers and nicotine users occupy their own set of categories at higher prices.
What underwriters look at
Physical characteristics (height and weight), blood sugar and cholesterol levels, parental or sibling history of cardiac or cancer illness before turning 60, traffic record, medication list, job type and recreational activities, and cigarette or nicotine consumption. The highest-quality classifications demand strong outcomes throughout nearly the whole list; the next tier permits some variation; lower tiers accommodate managed ailments such as controlled blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
When you assess your wellness, be truthful: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus and Fair to Standard. Quotes mirror that tier; the carrier finalizes the tier during review. If you're uncertain, quote both categories and see the difference, then allow underwriting to finalize. Inflating your health status won't change your ultimate cost; it just makes your quote estimate less realistic.
Susman Insurance Agency helps compare carriers with underwriting approaches better suited to your particular situation, which frequently matters more than advertised base rates.