Guide
Health classes explained
A guide to each classification level, how they differ, and which factors influence where you fall.
Term life pricing follows a rate class structure. Different carriers use slightly different names, but the tiers are uniform across the industry: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, with additional table ratings for above-standard risk. Smokers and tobacco users occupy separate tiers with higher premiums.
What underwriters look at
Height and weight relative to each other, blood pressure readings, cholesterol levels, any family members who had heart disease or cancer before turning 60, your driving history, medications you take, what you do for work and in your free time, and any tobacco or nicotine use. The top class requires clean numbers in virtually all areas; Preferred is more forgiving; Standard Plus and Standard allow some managed conditions like high blood pressure that is treated.
How to use the quote tool
Tell us what your health status is: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. Your quotes are calculated for the class you picked; the carrier may confirm or revise it during underwriting. If you are torn between two categories, get quotes for both and see the results—the actual application will determine your real class. Overstating your health does not reduce your rate; it simply makes your estimates unreliable.
Susman Insurance Agency specializes in matching you with carriers whose underwriting rules suit your medical background—often a bigger factor than advertised rates.