Guide
Health classes explained
Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, and Standard: what each tier means and what factors move you between them.
Insurance carriers grade applicants with rate class tiers. Names vary slightly, but the structure is consistent: Preferred Plus (sometimes Super Preferred or Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, then table ratings for higher risk. Tobacco users have parallel classes at higher rates.
What underwriters look at
Build (weight and height), blood pressure and cholesterol, cancer or heart disease before age 60 in your family, driving history, medications you take, your job and activities, tobacco or nicotine. The best class needs clean results in almost everything; Preferred allows more variation; Standard Plus and Standard approve controlled conditions like managed high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question on the quote tool asks you to be honest about yourself: Excellent maps to Preferred Plus, Very good to Preferred, Good to Standard Plus, and Average to Standard. Your quote reflects that class; the carrier confirms the final one after underwriting. Not sure? Quote two classes and compare. Overstating your health doesn't lower the eventual premium—it just makes the quote less useful.
Susman Insurance Agency can help identify carriers whose underwriting rules are friendlier to your situation. Often, the carrier that's most flexible matters more than the quote price.