Life insurance companies offer 4 major rate classes.

  • Preferred Plus
  • Preferred
  • Standard Plus
  • Standard

Along with two smoking classes.  Preferred smoker and standard smoker.  A rate class is important because it will ultimately affect the cost of life insurance.  Your rate class is the single biggest factor in the cost of life insurance next to your age and the type of policy you choose.

To get a better understanding of what your health could look like we have put together a few examples of one carriers guidelines. An insured would have to medically meet these guidelines in order to qualify each of the prospective classes.

Life Issuance is not Obamacare. You have to go through an underwriting process and qualify for before you will be offered coverage.

Preferred Plus

Preferred Plus is the best life insurance rate class. For example: An applicant who has his or her blood pressure under control during the last two years, with average readings no greater than 136/86, and cholesterol levels of 120-300 (with or without treatment) . . . that person may qualify for a Preferred Plus life insurance policy.

Preferred

Preferred is the second best life insurance rate class. In the case of someone with average blood pressure readings no greater than 146/90 during the last two years, and cholesterol levels of 120-300 (with or without treatment), that person may qualify for a Preferred life insurance policy.

Standard Plus

Standard Plus is the third best life insurance rate class. For an applicant whose average blood pressure readings are no greater than 152/92 during the last two years, in addition to cholesterol levels of 120-300 (with or without treatment), that person may qualify for a Standard Plus life insurance policy.

Standard

Standard is the fourth best life insurance rate class. For an applicant whose average blood pressure readings are no greater than 156/94 during the last two years, in addition to cholesterol levels of 120-300 (with or without treatment), that person may qualify for a Standard life insurance policy.

Working with an Independent Life Insurance Agent.

As independent agents we can help you determine which rate class you may qualify for with some pre underwriting questions. We know the guidelines of over 40 companies and we can guide you towards the company who will be best for you and your family.

You can also check out the buyer guide over at Local Life Agents.  They do a great job of breaking down what a life insurance rate class is.