Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard—what each label represents and what factors shift your class.
Insurers price term coverage by rate class. Company terminology differs marginally, but the hierarchy stays consistent: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Elite), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, with additional table ratings for higher risks. Smokers have a separate set of tiers with elevated costs.
What underwriters look at
Physique (height and weight), blood pressure and lipid panel, family cardiac or cancer history before age 60, MVR, medicine cabinet, job type and pursuits, and any nicotine use. Premium classes depend on strong results across the spectrum; Preferred permits some variance; Standard Plus and Standard allow managed conditions such as controlled blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
Describe your health truthfully in the quote form: Excellent maps to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, Average to Standard. Your quote reflects this tier; the carrier rechecks after underwriting. When in doubt, run two classes and contrast; the application determines the final classification. Picking a rosier rating won't reduce the eventual premium—it just makes your estimate less accurate.
Susman Insurance Agency helps you find carriers with underwriting guidelines that fit your specific health circumstances, which frequently carries more weight than the headline cost.