Guide
Health classes explained
The four main categories are Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard—what each means and what factors shift you between them.
Insurance carriers rank term life by rate class. While terminology shifts slightly, the tier system is standard: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, with additional table ratings for riskier profiles. Tobacco users occupy a separate tier with elevated rates.
What underwriters look at
Factors include: body composition, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, family medical history (heart disease or cancer before age 60), driving record, any medications you take, job type and hobbies, and any tobacco or nicotine use. Preferred Plus needs favorable results across the board; Preferred allows more variability; Standard Plus and Standard work with managed conditions, such as controlled high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
Answer honestly about your health: Excellent equals Preferred Plus, Very good equals Preferred, Good equals Standard Plus, and Average equals Standard. The quotes assume that class; the carrier verifies the actual class following underwriting. If you're uncertain, quote at two different classes to compare. Being too optimistic doesn't lower your ultimate premium—it just makes the estimate less reliable.
Susman Insurance Agency helps identify carriers with underwriting rules that favor your specific health situation, which can matter more than the posted lowest rate.