Guide
Health classes explained
The four main classes—Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard—how carriers rank applicants, and how much class changes affect your cost.
Term life premiums are determined by health classifications. Company terminology varies a little, yet the ranking stays consistent: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, then extra charges for tougher cases. Cigarette users occupy a different, pricier set of brackets.
What underwriters look at
Weight-to-height ratio, blood pressure readings, cholesterol levels, any cardiac or cancer occurrences in your family before age 60, traffic violations and driving history, drugs and doses you're taking, your employment and recreational pursuits, and any cigarette or nicotine-containing product consumption. The top tier demands nearly flawless marks on all measures. Preferred brackets allow one or two small deviations. Standard Plus and Standard cover managed medical conditions, such as hypertension that is medicated and monitored.
How to use the quote tool
Health questions request honest self-assessment: Excellent qualifies for Preferred Plus, Very good earns Preferred, Good corresponds to Standard Plus and Average reaches Standard. The quotes reflect your self-selected class. After you apply, the insurer will finalize your actual classification. Uncertain between categories? Quote both and view the difference, then let the application process make the determination. Inflating your health assessment does not reduce the final cost; it just makes the estimate less trustworthy.
When you have a specific health situation, Susman Insurance Agency can point you to carriers with lenient underwriting criteria for that condition—frequently more relevant than comparing the lowest advertised rates.