Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard: what these categories mean and what determines your tier.
Carriers organize term life pricing into rate classes. While exact names differ between companies, the progression is consistent: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, followed by table ratings for greater risk. Those using tobacco have a parallel sequence of classes at higher prices.
What underwriters look at
Height and weight relationship, blood pressure and cholesterol readings, family medical history (specifically heart disease or cancer before age 60), driving record, prescription history, job type and personal activities, and tobacco or nicotine use. The highest tier requires generally clean results across nearly everything; Preferred permits some variation; Standard Plus and Standard accommodate well-managed conditions such as controlled hypertension.
How to use the quote tool
The health question asks you to honestly describe yourself: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus and Average to Standard. Your quote reflects that class; final classification comes from the carrier after underwriting. If you're uncertain, compare quotes at two different classes and let the underwriting result settle it. An optimistic health choice does not reduce the final cost; it only makes the estimate less realistic.
Susman Insurance Agency helps you find carriers whose underwriting is accommodating for particular health situations, which frequently matters more than headline pricing.