Guide
Health classes explained
Four tiers show underwriting results—and what might change your placement.
Term rates sit in underwriting tiers. Labels shift by firm, but order is constant: Premier Preferred (sometimes called Elite or Top Preferred), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, and then adjustments for above-standard hazard. Tobacco users occupy a separate scale with steeper premiums.
What underwriters look at
Weight-to-height, blood force, cholesterol, relatives' illnesses (especially heart/cancer before 60), vehicle record, prescriptions, career, hobbies, and smoking status. Top-tier requires nearly-perfect marks across the board; Preferred tolerates small gaps; Standard Plus and Standard accept managed long-term illnesses such as controlled hypertension.
How to use the quote tool
Self-assessment on the form maps to tiers: Excellent → Premier Preferred, Very good → Preferred, Good → Standard Plus, Average → Standard. Your quote reflects that tier; final placement comes after underwriting. Torn between tiers? Quote both and compare; underwriting decides. Picking optimistic doesn't cut your real premium—just makes estimates misleading.
Susman Insurance Agency shops options across companies whose approval rules may suit your specifics better than rate-shopping alone—that fit often trumps the headline price.