Your "health class," also known as "rate class," helps determine the cost of your life insurance premium. Your health class is based on a precise evaluation of your health and personal risk factors. Insurance companies will place you in one of several health classes, which include Preferred Plus, Preferred and Standard.
Step 1
Use the following chart to help find the health class you most likely belong to. Typically, you are expected to meet all requirements in order to qualify for a specific health class.
| Medical History | Health Class | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred Plus | Preferred | Standard | |
| Height & Weight | Maximum height/weight |
Maximum height/weight |
Maximum height/weight |
| Tobacco Use | No tobacco use in the past 5 years | No tobacco use in the past 3 years (only for preferred non-smoker) | No tobacco use in the last year (only for non-smoker) |
| Blood Pressure (Upper Limits) |
140/90 without medication | 140/90 with medication or 150/90 without medication | 150/90 with medication or 155/95 if age 41-60 or 160/95 if age 61 or higher |
| Cholesterol (Upper Limits) |
230 without medication and HDL ratio under 5.0 | 250 with or without medication and HDL ratio under 7.0 | 300 with or without medication and HDL ratio under 8.0 |
| Family History | No parents or siblings diagnosed with heart disease/cancer before age 60 | No parents or siblings died of heart disease/cancer before age 60 | Not applicable |
| Alcohol/Substance Abuse | No history | No history in the past 10 years | No history in the past 7 years |
| Driving Record | No more than 2 moving violations in the past 3 years and No DUI/reckless driving in past 5 years |
No more than 2 moving violations in the past 2 years and No DUI/reckless driving in past 5 years |
No more than 2 moving violations in the past 1 year and No DUI/reckless driving in past 2 years |
| Foreign Travel | Varies by company | Varies by company | Varies by company |
| Citizenship | U.S. resident for past 3 years (or permanent visa/green card) | U.S. resident for past 3 years (or permanent visa/green card) | U.S. resident for past 3 years (or permanent visa/green card) |
Step 2
Find out what type of policy may be available for the following health conditions.
| Condition | Health Class | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred Plus | Preferred | Standard | |
| Arthritis (Osteo) | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Arthritis (Rheumatoid) | Not available | Available | Available |
| Asthma (Allergy) | Not available | Available | Available |
| Asthma (Steroid Meds) | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Bronchitis (Chronic) | Not available | Available | Available |
| Cancer (Basal Cell) | Available | Available | Available |
| Cancer (Non-Basal Cell, After 5 Years) | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Cardiovascular/Heart Disease | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Crohn's Disease | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Depression (Ongoing) | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Depression (Situational) | Not available | Available | Available |
| Diabetes (Non-Insulin Dependent) | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Diabetes (Insulin Dependent) | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Emphysema | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Epilepsy | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Hepatitis A or B | Not available | Available | Available |
| Hepatitis C | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Kidney/Liver Disease (Chronic) | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Multiple Sclerosis (Over 6 Years from Diagnosis) | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Sleep Apnea | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Stroke (Including TIA) | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Ulcerative Colitis/Ileitis | Not available | Not available | Available |
| Vascular Disease | Not available | Not available | Available |