Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus through Standard: what each tier represents and the factors that determine which you'll qualify for.
Insurers organize term pricing through rate class. Terminology shifts between companies, yet the hierarchy stays uniform: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard, plus special rates for above-standard risk. Smokers occupy a separate tier with higher costs.
What underwriters look at
Height-to-weight ratio, blood pressure and lipid numbers, family disease history (heart disease or cancer under 60), motor vehicle incidents, current medications, job duties and recreational pursuits, and nicotine in any form. Preferred Plus requires excellent marks across most or all factors; Preferred accepts slightly more variance; Standard Plus and Standard permit treated high blood pressure and similar managed diseases.
How to use the quote tool
Assess your health truthfully: Excellent corresponds with Preferred Plus, Very good with Preferred, Good with Standard Plus, and Fair with Standard. Quotes reflect your chosen category; underwriting will verify your final ranking. Not entirely sure? Request two categories and evaluate both, then let the application establish reality. Claiming better health than you have doesn't reduce the true premium—it just produces an inaccurate estimate.
Certain carriers favor applicants with particular medical histories over others, which frequently matters more than a lower rate from a carrier less experienced with your situation. Our team can help match you with carriers most likely to approve and price your case favorably.