Guide
Health classes explained
A guide to the four main rate classes that carriers use, what each one represents, and what health factors determine your placement.
When carriers price term coverage, they use rate classes. The specific names differ between companies, but the structure is uniform: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, and table ratings above that for elevated risk. Tobacco users get their own classes at higher prices.
What underwriters look at
Height and weight ratio, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers, whether heart disease or cancer runs in your family before age 60, your driving record, what prescriptions you take, your job and activities, and tobacco or nicotine use now. Preferred Plus asks for clean results in nearly every area; Preferred is a bit more flexible; Standard Plus and Standard permit managed conditions like medicated high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
When the quote tool asks about your health, give an honest picture of yourself: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. Your quotes will use that class; the carrier sets the final class after reviewing your history. Unsure? Quote both classes and compare the difference. Picking a rosier class won't reduce your actual rate; it just makes the quote less realistic.
Susman Insurance Agency can guide you toward carriers whose underwriting is favorable to your specific situation, which frequently counts for more than just the quoted rate.