Guide
Health classes explained
How carriers rank applicants and what the tiers mean, plus what it takes to climb or stay at each level.
Insurance companies organize term life premiums into rate classes. Brand names fluctuate across companies, but the structure is consistent: Preferred Plus (also called Super Preferred or Preferred Elite), Preferred, Standard Plus, then Standard, followed by table ratings for higher risk. Smokers and tobacco users have their own parallel tiers at higher rates.
What underwriters look at
Ratings hinge on body metrics (weight relative to height), blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, any family cancer or heart disease before age 60, driving records, prescription patterns, occupation and hobbies, and nicotine or tobacco consumption. The top tier demands clean results across nearly every factor; Preferred lets a little wiggle room; Standard Plus and Standard accept managed conditions like treated high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health section presents four options: Excellent maps to the top rate class, Very good to the second tier, Good to the third, and Average to the fourth. Rates for your quote assume the class you pick, but the insurance company confirms your actual class after underwriting. If you're unsure between two, pull both and compare—or let underwriting decide. Picking a rosier class won't lower your final rate; it just makes your estimate less dependable.
We assist in matching your health profile with carriers who are most friendly to your specific situation—often a bigger factor than base rates. Susman Insurance Agency can help navigate this.