Guide
Health classes explained
Four levels exist: Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard—what each title means and what factors determine your assignment.
Insurance companies group term life pricing into underwriting tiers. Individual companies call them slightly differently, but the sequence stays the same: Preferred Plus (also known as Super Preferred or Top Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, plus rating modifications for higher-risk scenarios. People using nicotine have separate tiers that cost more.
What underwriters look at
Body size relative to stature, blood pressure and lipid numbers, relatives with cardiovascular or cancer diagnoses happening before sixty, your accident and ticket record, medication background, your job and recreational hobbies, and use of cigarettes or nicotine. Achieving the top tier needs favorable results for essentially all of these factors; Preferred is a step down; Standard Plus and Standard accommodate controlled problems such as managed high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
When you answer the health question, be truthful with yourself: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus and Fair to Standard. The cost estimates are based on that grade; the company will confirm your real grade once they underwrite. If you're not certain, check prices in two categories and see them side-by-side, letting the full application determine your actual rate. Selecting a better-than-truthful rating doesn't actually cut your costs—it only makes the initial quote inaccurate.
Susman Insurance Agency can help you identify carriers that are more accommodating for specific health conditions, which frequently makes more of an impact than the headline cost.