Guide
Health classes explained
What Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard classes are, and the factors that move applicants between tiers.
Term premiums are set by rate class. Names shift between carriers, but the hierarchy stays the same: Preferred Plus (sometimes Ultra Preferred or Elite), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, then custom ratings for bigger risks. Smokers get their own parallel scale with steeper prices.
What underwriters look at
Weight and height, blood pressure and lipids, heart disease or cancer in the family before age 60, driving history, medications, job hazards and hobbies, nicotine or tobacco use. Top classes demand clean marks nearly everywhere; Preferred allows some slack; Standard Plus and Standard accept managed conditions like controlled hypertension.
How to use the quote tool
Be truthful on the health question: Excellent matches Preferred Plus, Very good matches Preferred, Good matches Standard Plus, Average matches Standard. Quotes use that tier; the carrier finalizes the class during underwriting. Unsure? Get quotes for two classes and compare, then let underwriting settle it. Inflating your health doesn't lower the final premium—it just makes the estimate wrong.
Each carrier grades differently. Susman Insurance Agency helps you find companies whose rules are more forgiving for your situation—this often makes a bigger difference than chasing the lowest advertised rate.