Guide
Health classes explained
The four main pricing tiers, what they mean, and what determines which one you land in.
Insurance companies organize term life pricing by rate class. Labels differ between carriers, but the structure stays the same: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), then Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, with extra charges for higher-risk situations. Smokers and tobacco users get their own set of classes at higher prices.
What underwriters look at
Build, blood pressure, cholesterol, whether heart disease or cancer runs in your family before age 60, driving history, medications you take, what you do for work, hobbies, and smoking or nicotine—all matter. The top class demands near-perfect marks in all areas; Preferred lets a few things bend; Standard Plus and Standard permit managed conditions like controlled high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
When asked about your health, answer truthfully: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. Your quotes are based on that choice, but the carrier will set the real class during review. Unsure? Quote both classes, compare, and let the form sort it out. Picking a rosier class will not reduce your actual premium—it just clouds the picture.
Susman Insurance Agency can guide you to carriers that view a particular health situation more favorably, which often trumps the advertised rate.