Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard: what each tier means and what factors move you between them.
Carriers price term coverage using rate class. While names vary slightly by company, the structure is consistent: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, followed by table ratings for higher-than-standard risk. Tobacco users get a parallel set of classes at higher rates.
What underwriters look at
Height and weight relative to age, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, family medical history before age 60, driving record, prescription history, job and hobbies, and any tobacco or nicotine use. The best class requires good results across nearly all of these; Preferred is somewhat more lenient; Standard Plus and Standard allow managed conditions like treated high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question asks for honesty: Excellent means Preferred Plus, Very good maps to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus and Average to Standard. Your quote will reflect that class; the carrier confirms the actual class after underwriting. If you're uncertain, quote two different classes and compare; the application itself will determine the final rate. An optimistic class doesn't reduce the final premium; it only makes the quote less accurate.
Susman Insurance Agency can help you find carriers that are more comfortable with a specific health situation, which often makes a bigger difference than the headline price.