Guide
Health classes explained
Understanding the four standard categories—Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard—and the health factors that place applicants into them.
Life insurers establish pricing by rate class—labels shift between companies but hierarchy stays consistent: Preferred Plus (Super Preferred, Preferred Best variants), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, with table ratings for elevated-risk situations. Smokers face an alternate class structure with steeper rates.
What underwriters look at
Build measurements (height/weight ratio), blood pressure numbers, cholesterol levels, hereditary disease patterns before age 60, motor-vehicle history, past prescriptions, work environment and recreational activities, and any tobacco or nicotine exposure. Preferred Plus demands excellent results in nearly every category; Preferred tolerates minor variances; Standard Plus and Standard accommodate stable conditions including medicated hypertension.
How to use the quote tool
When you answer the health question, be truthful: Excellent aligns with Preferred Plus, Very good with Preferred, Good with Standard Plus and Average with Standard. Quotes reflect that classification; underwriting determines your actual class afterward. Unsure? Get quotes at two levels to compare, letting the underwriting process confirm your placement. Inflating your health status does not reduce what you pay; it just throws off the estimate.
Susman Insurance Agency helps identify insurers whose requirements are more favorable for your particular health situation, which can outweigh rate comparisons.