Guide
Health classes explained
Four price brackets—Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard—explained and how you might shift between them.
Pricing follows rate brackets: names shift between firms but the hierarchy stays consistent—Preferred Plus (or Super Preferred/Preferred Best), Preferred, Standard Plus, Standard, with escalators for elevated risk. A separate tobacco bracket exists.
What underwriters look at
Carriers examine: build (weight relative to height), glucose/lipid readings, hereditary heart/cancer risk (prior to 60), traffic history, medication record, your profession and activities, and nicotine intake. Preferred Plus demands minimal findings; Preferred accepts small variations; Standard Plus/Standard accommodate controlled illnesses (like managed hypertension).
How to use the quote tool
Health self-assessment: Excellent = Preferred Plus; Very good = Preferred; Good = Standard Plus; Average = Standard. Companies verify after you apply. Uncertain? Run both scenarios side-by-side. An inflated self-rating doesn't change final costs, just estimation accuracy.
Certain carriers specialize in specific health profiles. That niche focus can lead to lower premiums than advertised baseline rates. Susman helps identify carriers most likely to favor your circumstances.