Guide
Health classes explained
Explore what each rate class represents, which factors elevate or lower your class, and how the classifications affect your premium.
Carriers group applicants into rate classes for pricing purposes. While names differ slightly between companies, the hierarchy remains consistent: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Premium Plus), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, with table ratings available for higher-risk profiles. Nicotine users occupy a separate classification ladder with higher premiums.
What underwriters look at
Body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease or early cancer among blood relatives, your driving history, current medications, your profession and recreational activities, and any nicotine use all play roles. Preferred Plus requires excellent readings across the board; Preferred allows minor deviations; Standard Plus and Standard accept well-managed conditions such as regulated high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
On this site, when you pick your health status—Excellent, Very good, Good, or Average—you are selecting the class that quotes will be based on. Excellent aligns to Preferred Plus; Very good to Preferred; Good to Standard Plus; and Average to Standard. During underwriting, carriers verify and may adjust your class. If you are uncertain, run quotes at multiple classes to see the differences, then let your actual health records determine your final class at underwriting. Overstating your health does not reduce your premium; it only makes the estimate inaccurate.
Different carriers apply their guidelines differently—some are lenient on diabetes, others on high cholesterol. Susman Insurance Agency can steer you toward carriers whose underwriting favors your particular health history.