Determine Your Rate Class
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. Which one are you?
STEP 1
If you have been treated for any of the ailments on the following chart, you'll find a check mark 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.
Condition |
Preferred Plus |
Preferred |
Standard |
Rated |
Alcohol/Substance abuse |
|
|
|
|
Arthritis (Osteo) |
|
|
|
|
Arthritis (Rheumatoid) |
|
|
|
|
Asthma (allergy) |
|
|
|
|
Asthma (steroid meds) |
|
|
|
|
Bronchitis |
|
|
|
|
Cancer (basal cell) |
|
|
|
|
Cancer (not basal cell) |
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
STEP 2
To further define rate class, there are additional health issues to consider. Please consult the following charts.
Condition |
Preferred Plus |
Preferred |
Standard |
||||||||||||
Blood Pressure |
140/90 without medication |
140/90 with medication or |
150/90 with medication or |
||||||||||||
Cholesterol |
230 without medication and HDL ratio under 5.0 |
250 with or without medication andHDL ratio under 7.0 |
300 with or without medication and HDL ratio under 8.0 |
||||||||||||
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 past year (only for non-smoker) |
||||||||||||
Height and Weight |
|
|
|
||||||||||||
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. |
||||||||||||
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) |
||||||||||||