Guide
Health classes explained
What the four rate classes mean and what factors determine which class you fall into.
Insurance carriers price term life using underwriting rate classes. Names vary slightly between carriers, but the standard scale is: Preferred Plus (occasionally called Super Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, with additional table ratings for higher risk. Tobacco users have their own classes at higher rates.
What underwriters look at
Height and weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, family history of early heart disease or cancer, driving record, medications you take, your job and hobbies, and tobacco/nicotine use. Top-tier classes require good numbers across nearly all areas; intermediate classes allow some conditions if they're controlled. Lower classes accept greater health variation.
How to use the quote tool
Answer honestly when rating your health: Excellent typically corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. Your quote is based on the class you select; the carrier confirms the final class after their review. If you're uncertain, quote both classes and compare, letting the underwriting process make the final determination. Picking a higher class won't reduce your premium—it only makes the estimate less useful.
Susman Insurance Agency can help identify carriers whose guidelines are more favorable to your specific health profile, which matters more than chasing the absolute lowest headline rate.