Life Insurance

Preferred Plus

Preferred Plus (also called Preferred Best or Super Preferred) is the top underwriting risk class offered by most life insurers, awarded to applicants with excellent health, favorable family history, ideal height-weight proportions, and clean driving and lifestyle records—qualifying them for the lowest available premium rates.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology

Definition

Preferred Plus is the elite underwriting classification used by major life insurers for applicants who meet the most stringent health and lifestyle criteria, typically earning premiums 30–50% lower than standard rates. Qualification requirements vary by carrier but generally include: cholesterol under 200–220 with a favorable LDL/HDL ratio; blood pressure below 130/80 without medication; body mass index within the insurer's preferred range (typically 18–28 depending on height); no history of cancer, heart disease, or stroke in the immediate family before age 60; no tobacco use in the past two to five years; a clean motor vehicle record with no DUIs; and no private pilot or hazardous occupation. A 35-year-old male in Preferred Plus health might pay $22–$28 per month for a $500,000 20-year level term policy from an A+-rated carrier, compared to $35–$45 at Standard. Only approximately 10–15% of life insurance applicants qualify for Preferred Plus; the majority are placed in Preferred, Standard Plus, or Standard classifications. Preferred Plus rates assume a mortality expectation meaningfully better than the general population, and even minor health variances—such as a family history of heart disease before age 60—can disqualify an applicant from the top tier.

Where this term matters

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Tip

Glossary definitions are educational. Always check your own policy language — insurers can define common terms differently from one another. When in doubt, request a written explanation from your agent.

Related terms

Standard ClassStandard class is the baseline underwriting category for life insurance applicants who present average health risk, including those with minor health conditions, borderline height-weight ratios, or modest family history concerns that prevent qualification for Preferred or Preferred Plus rates.Substandard RatingA substandard rating is assigned to life insurance applicants whose health or lifestyle profile poses above-average mortality risk, resulting in premium surcharges—expressed as table ratings—to compensate the insurer for the elevated risk while still providing coverage.Table RatingA table rating is an underwriting designation applied to applicants who do not qualify for standard life insurance rates due to health impairments, resulting in premium surcharges typically expressed as a percentage of the standard rate or as a table letter (A–P) or number (1–16) corresponding to the severity of risk.Paramedical ExamA paramedical exam is a simplified medical examination—typically 20–30 minutes, conducted at the applicant's home or workplace by a trained paramedical technician—used by life insurance underwriters to collect blood, urine, and vital sign data to assess the applicant's health and mortality risk.MIB Report (Medical Information Bureau)An MIB report is a coded record maintained by the Medical Information Bureau—now MIB Group—that contains information disclosed on previous life, health, and disability insurance applications, used by underwriters to detect application inconsistencies and potential non-disclosure.

Related guides

Source: Cover Forge USA editorial team|Last verified: May 2026|Methodology
Definitions are educational and may be simplified. Always refer to your policy contract and consult a licensed agent for terms that affect coverage decisions.
CF

Cover Forge USA Editorial Team

Editorial Lead

This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.

Reviewed June 2026

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