Guide
Health classes explained
Explore rate tiers: Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard—what they mean and what factors move you between them.
Insurance companies set prices using rate tiers. Naming shifts between companies, but the ranking stays similar: Preferred Plus (sometimes labeled Super Preferred or Elite Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, then table charges for higher risks. Tobacco users get placed in parallel tiers at higher rates.
What underwriters look at
Body composition (height to weight ratio), BP and cholesterol readings, family patterns of early heart or cancer, traffic history, medication records, job and interests, and any tobacco or nicotine product use. Preferred Plus demands near-perfect scores across the board; Preferred is a bit more flexible; Standard Plus and Standard cover managed conditions like controlled high blood pressure.
How to use the quote tool
The health question expects honesty: Excellent aligns with Preferred Plus, Very good with Preferred, Good with Standard Plus, and Average with Standard. Your quote reflects this grouping; the company locks in the final tier after review. If you're uncertain, test both tiers to evaluate, and let the application determine the actual placement. An optimistic choice won't lower the ultimate rate—it just makes the estimate less trustworthy.
Susman Insurance Agency knows which carriers treat specific health situations most favorably, which frequently trumps looking only at headline numbers.