Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard: what these classification labels mean and the health factors that determine which category you fall into.
Carriers base their pricing on rate classes. While names differ slightly between companies, the structure is consistent: Preferred Plus (also known as Super Preferred or Preferred Elite), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, then table ratings for above-standard risk. Tobacco users are assigned to a parallel set of classes at higher cost.
What underwriters look at
Build (height relative to weight), blood pressure and cholesterol, blood relative disease patterns before age 60, driving safety record, medicine history, job and personal activities, and nicotine or tobacco consumption. Best rates need strong results across nearly everything; Preferred allows some flexibility; Standard Plus and Standard handle managed conditions like treated high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
Describe your actual health status honestly: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. Quotes show that class; underwriting confirms the final class. If you're unsure, try both classes to compare, then let the application determine your actual class. Picking an optimistic class doesn't reduce your final premium; it just makes the estimate less realistic.
Susman Insurance Agency has the expertise to help you identify carriers whose requirements are more flexible with a particular health situation—something that frequently matters more than the base rate advertised.