Guide
Health classes explained
Rating categories: Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard—what these mean, and what factors move you up or down.
Insurance companies use rate classification to price term policies. Each company has its own terminology, but the structure is uniform: Preferred Plus (occasionally Super Preferred or Preferred Elite), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, with penalties added for high-risk situations. Those who use tobacco products get similar tiers at elevated rates.
What underwriters look at
Weight-to-height ratio, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, maternal or paternal history of cardiac or cancer events before turning 60, motor-vehicle history, past and present medications, line of work and leisure pursuits, and smoking or nicotine products. Preferred Plus needs strong marks on virtually everything; Preferred is slightly more lenient; Standard Plus and Standard allow managed conditions such as controlled high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
Respond truthfully to the health rating question: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. The company will verify the actual category following its review. When in doubt, quote yourself at two different tiers to see the difference; let the application process settle it. Overstating your health doesn't reduce the quote—it just makes the estimate inaccurate.
Susman Insurance Agency can point you toward insurers whose criteria are better aligned with your health history, and that comparison often matters more than the advertised rate.