Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard: what each means and how you move from one to another.
Carriers organize term life pricing into rate classes. The titles are slightly different from company to company, but the structure stays the same: Preferred Plus (sometimes Preferred Best or Super Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, plus additional tiers for higher-than-standard danger. People who use tobacco sit in a separate tier at higher prices.
What underwriters look at
Body mass index (height and weight ratio), blood pressure and cholesterol readings, any family cardiac or cancer deaths before age 60, driving history, what medications you take, your job and pastimes, and whether you use tobacco or nicotine products. Nearly perfect results in all areas earn Preferred Plus; Preferred allows minor issues; Standard Plus and Standard make room for managed health issues like controlled high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
When you answer about your health, map it honestly: Excellent goes with Preferred Plus, Very good with Preferred, Good with Standard Plus and Average with Standard. Your quote comes back with that class; the carrier will double-check after underwriting. When in doubt, quote both classes and look at both, then let the application results settle it. Picking a better class won't reduce your actual premium; it just makes the quote off.
Susman Insurance Agency can help you find carriers whose rules are more sympathetic to a specific condition, and that often makes more difference than the starting rate.