Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard: the meaning behind each label and the factors that determine your rate tier.
Insurance carriers set term premiums using rate class tiers. While labels differ slightly across companies, the ranking remains consistent: Preferred Plus (occasionally called Super Preferred or Preferred Top), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, then further adjustments for higher-risk situations. Tobacco users access the same tier structure but at steeper prices.
What underwriters look at
Physical metrics (height, weight), blood pressure and lipids, hereditary heart or cancer before reaching 60, traffic violations, medication history, job type and pastimes, and any nicotine consumption. The top rates require excellent results across virtually all factors; Preferred allows minor anomalies; Standard Plus and Standard accommodate managed disorders such as controlled blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
When answering the health question, be truthful about your condition: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus and Average to Standard. Your quotes display that tier; the insurance company determines your actual tier following underwriting. When uncertain, run quotes at two different tiers and examine the difference, letting the actual application establish your final rating. Overstating your health status doesn't reduce the premium—it merely creates an inaccurate quote.
Susman Insurance Agency helps identify carriers whose underwriting approach is most favorable for your situation, which frequently matters more than simply comparing headline premiums.