Guide
Health classes explained
Premium Plus, Premium, Standard Plus and Standard: what these categories mean and which factors move you between them.
Carriers categorize term policies by rate class. Names differ between companies but the ranking is standard: Premium Plus (sometimes called Elite Preferred or Super Preferred), Premium, Standard Plus and Standard, followed by table ratings for higher-risk cases. Tobacco users have their own rate ladder at higher cost.
What underwriters look at
Body composition (height and weight), BP and cholesterol numbers, close family heart or cancer history before age sixty, driving record, prescriptions taken, job and pastimes, and nicotine or tobacco products. Getting Premium Plus requires strong results across nearly every area; Premium allows a bit more; Standard Plus and Standard allow managed conditions like treated high BP.
How to use the quote tool
Your health description should be truthful: Excellent corresponds to Premium Plus, Very good to Premium, Good to Standard Plus and Fair to Standard. The carrier verifies the final class through underwriting. If unsure, quote in both classes and see them side-by-side, letting the underwriting result determine your actual tier. Claiming a better class doesn't reduce your final premium—it only makes the estimate less useful.
The Susman Insurance Agency team can identify carriers whose underwriting rules align with your health history, which often matters more than comparing headline rates.