Insurance companies determine how much you'll pay for a policy by placing you into one of several rate classifications, including preferred plus, preferred, and standard. This is a general guide, and requirements and guidelines may differ by insurance company.
STEP 1To define the rate class for which you'll likely qualify, consult the following chart. You generally need to meet all requirements in order to qualify for a rate class.
| Preferred Plus | Preferred | Standard | |
| Height & Weight | maximum height/weight | maximum height/weight | |
| Tobacco Use |
No tobacco use in the past 5 years |
No tobacco use in the past3 years (only for preferred non-smoker) |
No tobacco use in the past year (only for non-smoker) |
| Blood Pressure | 140/85 without medication | 140/85 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 | 230 without medication and HDL ratio under 5.0 |
250 with or without medication and HDL ratio under 6.0 |
300 with or without medication and HDL ratio under 8.0 |
| 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 3 years and No DUI/reckless driving in past 5 years |
Ba1, Ba2, Ba3 Questionable |
| 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 |
| Citizenship | US Resident for past 3 years (or permanent visa/green card) | US Resident for past 3 years (or permanent visa/green card) | US Resident for past 3 years (or permanent visa/green card) |
STEP 2
If you have been treated for any of the ailments on the following chart, you'll find a dot corresponding to the best rate class for which you're most likely to qualify. Treatment received for two or more of the problems listed below may classify you for a higher rate class, or it may cause you to be declined for life insurance.
| Preferred Plus |
Preferred | Standard | Non-Standard | |
| Alcohol/Substance abuse | ||||
| Arthritis (Osteo) | ||||
| Arthritis (Rheumatoid) | ||||
| Asthma (allergy) | ||||
| Asthma (steroid meds) | ||||
| Bronchitis | ||||
| Cancer (basal cell) | ||||
| Cancer (not basal cell - after 5 years) | ||||
| Cardiovascular/Heart Disease | ||||
| Crohn's Disease | ||||
| Depression (situational) | ||||
| Depression (on-going) | ||||
| Diabetes | ||||
| Emphysema | ||||
| Epilepsy | ||||
| Hepatitis A or B | ||||
| Hepatitis C | ||||
| Kidney/Liver Disease | ||||
| Mental Illness | ||||
| Mitral Valve Prolapse | ||||
| Multiple Sclerosis | ||||
| Stroke | ||||
| Ulcerative Colitis | ||||
| Vascular Disease |