Guide
Health classes explained
The four main rate classes—Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard—what they mean and what factors affect them.
Term life carriers assign rate classes to set your price. Names differ between companies, but the structure is standard: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, with table ratings for riskier profiles. Tobacco users get a separate set of classes at higher costs.
What underwriters look at
Body measurements (height and weight), blood pressure and cholesterol, family illness before age 60 (especially heart disease or cancer), driving history, medicine list, job and pastimes, and tobacco or nicotine use. The highest class requires strong results across almost everything; the next level allows some slack; lower classes allow controlled problems like blood pressure being treated.
How to use the quote tool
When you describe your health on the form, Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. Your quote matches the class you pick, but the carrier determines the final class after underwriting. If you're between categories, try quoting both and compare—changing your health class doesn't reduce the actual premium, it only changes the estimate.
Different carriers use different standards for the same condition. Susman Insurance Agency knows which carriers are most lenient with specific health situations—that often has more impact than the advertised rate.