Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard: what they mean and how you move among them.
Insurers price term by health classification. Different carriers use slightly different names, but the sequence is always: Preferred Plus (sometimes called Super Preferred or Best Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard, followed by special rates for higher risk. Tobacco users sit in a parallel group at higher costs.
What underwriters look at
Build (your height and weight ratio), blood pressure and cholesterol readings, family health history (heart disease or cancer before age sixty), traffic record, medicines you take, work and activities, and cigarette or nicotine use. The highest class requires favorable results across essentially everything; Preferred allows some variation; Standard Plus and Standard allow managed conditions like blood pressure under medication.
How to use the quote tool
The health question asks for honesty about yourself: Excellent corresponds to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus and Average to Standard. Quotes match that class; the carrier determines the final class after underwriting. Uncertain? Quote both and see the difference, then let the application confirm. Overstating your health does not lower your premium; it just makes the quote wrong.
Susman Insurance Agency can help identify carriers with underwriting that fits your specific situation, which usually matters more than the advertised rate.