Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard: what each class means and what shifts you between them.
Insurance carriers set term prices by rate class. Although names shift between companies, the structure is standard: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Preferred Best or Super Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, followed by table ratings for above-average risk. Tobacco users fall into separate, higher-priced classes.
What underwriters look at
Body composition and weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, family history of early heart disease or cancer, traffic record, medicine history, work and hobbies, and any tobacco or nicotine use. The top class requires good results in nearly everything; Preferred allows some variance; Standard Plus and Standard allow controlled conditions like managed high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question asks you to rate yourself realistically: Excellent points to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. Your quote reflects that estimate; the actual class comes after underwriting. If you're unsure, get quotes for two different classes and compare; the application will determine your real class. Choosing a higher class won't bring down your final price — it just makes your quote estimate less accurate.
Susman Insurance Agency can help you find carriers whose guidelines work better for your specific health situation, which often makes more difference than the base rate you see.