Guide
Health classes explained
An overview of the four main underwriting tiers and what determines which one you fall into.
Insurance companies structure term-life pricing using rate classes. While the terminology differs between insurers, the hierarchy is familiar: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), then Preferred, then Standard Plus, then Standard, plus table ratings for elevated risk. Tobacco users occupy their own tier of rate classes at elevated prices.
What underwriters look at
Weight and height ratio, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, family history of heart disease or cancer before age 60, your driving history, past and current prescriptions, your job and activities, and any tobacco or nicotine use. Reaching the top tier requires a clean record in nearly every category. The Preferred tier permits some latitude; Standard Plus and Standard tiers accept managed conditions like controlled high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
When describing your health, be straightforward: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. Quotes are based on your chosen class; the carrier will determine the actual class after underwriting. If you're uncertain which tier applies to you, request quotes for two classes and compare them; the real class will be confirmed when you apply. Inflating your health description won't reduce the final premium—it only makes the estimate misleading.
Susman Insurance Agency has the expertise to help you find carriers that are more flexible with your particular medical history, and that flexibility often has a bigger impact on your final rate than the advertised price.