What Is Preferred Plus?
The highest (best) risk classification in life insurance underwriting, reserved for applicants in exceptional health with no significant risk factors, qualifying for the lowest available premium rates.
Understanding Preferred Plus
Preferred Plus (also called Super Preferred or Elite by some carriers) is the top underwriting risk classification, offering the lowest premium rates available for a given coverage amount and policy type. This class is reserved for applicants who meet the most stringent health and lifestyle criteria established by the carrier. Typically, Preferred Plus qualification requires excellent overall health with no history of significant medical conditions, blood pressure and cholesterol within normal ranges without medication, a healthy body mass index (BMI) typically below 27-29, no tobacco or nicotine use for at least three to five years, no family history of hereditary diseases such as heart disease or cancer before age 60 in immediate family members, a clean driving record with no DUI or multiple violations, and no participation in hazardous activities such as skydiving, private aviation, or extreme sports.
Only a small percentage of applicants qualify for Preferred Plus, typically estimated at 10-15% of the insured population. The premium savings compared to Standard classification can be substantial, often 40-60% less for the same coverage amount. For high-coverage policies ($1 million or more), the annual savings can amount to thousands of dollars, and over a 20 or 30-year term, the cumulative savings can be tens of thousands. This makes the risk class assignment one of the most financially impactful elements of the life insurance purchase decision.
Carriers vary in their specific criteria for Preferred Plus qualification, creating meaningful differences that an experienced agent can identify. Some carriers are more lenient on certain factors (such as family history or BMI thresholds) while stricter on others (such as cholesterol levels or driving record). For example, one carrier might disqualify an applicant with a parent who had a heart attack before age 55, while another carrier sets the family history threshold at age 50 or uses a different definition of the qualifying condition. This variation among carriers is why an experienced agent who understands multiple carriers' guidelines can help applicants find the best possible classification.
For individuals who narrowly miss Preferred Plus qualification, improving modifiable risk factors before applying can make a meaningful difference. Losing weight to achieve a healthier BMI, improving cholesterol through diet and exercise, maintaining a clean driving record, and completing any nicotine cessation periods are all steps that can potentially elevate an applicant from Preferred to Preferred Plus, resulting in significant long-term premium savings.
Important Things to Know
Preferred Plus is the best available risk class, offering the lowest premium rates, typically 40-60% less than Standard rates for the same coverage.
Requires exceptional health, no tobacco use for 3-5 years, clean driving record, healthy BMI, and no significant family history of disease before age 60.
Only an estimated 10-15% of applicants qualify for this top classification across the industry.
Premium savings of 40-60% compared to Standard classification for the same coverage can amount to thousands annually on larger policies.
Each carrier has slightly different criteria for Preferred Plus qualification, creating opportunities to find the best classification through multi-carrier comparison.
Improving modifiable risk factors (weight, cholesterol, driving record, tobacco cessation) before applying can help achieve Preferred Plus qualification.
For high-coverage policies, the cumulative premium savings from Preferred Plus over the life of the policy can be tens of thousands of dollars.
Carriers that specialize in certain health profiles may offer Preferred Plus where others would assign Preferred, making agent expertise valuable.
Seeing Preferred Plus in Practice
Illustrative example: A 40-year-old Germantown executive applies for a $1,500,000, 20-year term policy. She exercises five days per week, has never used tobacco, has blood pressure of 118/72 without medication, BMI of 22, cholesterol within normal limits, and no immediate family history of heart disease or cancer before age 60. She qualifies for Preferred Plus at an illustrative annual premium of approximately $850, compared to approximately $1,500 at Standard rates. The savings over the 20-year term total approximately $13,000. Actual premiums vary by carrier and individual underwriting. In a second illustrative scenario, a 45-year-old Franklin professional also applies for Preferred Plus but has a BMI of 28 and a father who had a heart attack at age 58. Carrier A declines Preferred Plus due to the family history, offering Preferred instead. Carrier B, which sets its family history threshold at age 55, also offers Preferred. However, Carrier C, which has a more lenient family history definition, approves Preferred Plus. Working with an agent who knows these carrier-specific differences secures the best classification. Actual premiums vary by carrier and individual underwriting.
Preferred Plus in Tennessee
Tennessee residents benefit from a competitive insurance market with many A-rated (A.M. Best) carriers offering Preferred Plus classifications with varying criteria. The TDCI ensures that carriers' risk classification systems are actuarially sound and do not unfairly discriminate under TCA Title 56. Tennessee's active outdoor lifestyle culture, combined with the state's generally lower cost of living, means many Tennessee residents maintain the fitness levels and healthy lifestyles that support Preferred Plus qualification. Agents in our network understand which carriers have the most favorable Preferred Plus criteria for various health profiles and can guide Tennessee applicants toward the carrier most likely to offer the best classification. This carrier-specific knowledge is particularly valuable for applicants who are close to the borderline between Preferred Plus and Preferred, where the right carrier selection can result in meaningful premium savings over the life of the policy.
Explore Preferred Plus in Detail
Get answers to specific questions about preferred plus.
Related Glossary Terms
Risk Class
A classification assigned during underwriting that groups applicants by their level of mortality risk, directly determining the premium rate for their life insurance policy.
Read Definition →Preferred
The second-highest risk classification in life insurance underwriting, for applicants in very good health with minor risk factors, qualifying for premium rates below standard.
Read Definition →Standard
The baseline risk classification in life insurance underwriting for applicants with average health and mortality risk, serving as the reference point for premium rate calculations.
Read Definition →Underwriting
The process by which an insurance carrier evaluates an applicant's risk factors to determine eligibility, risk classification, and premium rates for a life insurance policy.
Read Definition →Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions About Preferred Plus
Common disqualifiers include any tobacco or nicotine use within the past 3-5 years, elevated blood pressure or cholesterol (even with medication for most carriers), BMI outside the acceptable range (generally above 27-29), a history of DUI or multiple moving violations, family history of heart disease or cancer before age 60 in a parent or sibling, participation in high-risk activities such as skydiving or private aviation, and certain occupations considered hazardous.
No. Each carrier defines its own criteria for Preferred Plus classification, and these criteria can vary significantly. Some carriers are more lenient on certain factors, such as allowing a slightly higher BMI or a less strict family history definition, while being stricter on others. This variation is why working with an agent who represents multiple carriers is particularly important for applicants seeking the best possible classification.
The savings vary by age, gender, coverage amount, and policy type, but Preferred Plus rates are typically 40-60% lower than Standard rates for the same coverage. For a $500,000, 20-year term policy for a 45-year-old, the difference could be several hundred dollars per year. For larger policies ($1 million or more), the annual savings can exceed $1,000, and cumulative savings over the policy term can reach $15,000 to $25,000 or more.
Yes. Focus on modifiable risk factors before applying: achieve a healthy BMI through diet and exercise, improve cholesterol and blood pressure through lifestyle changes, maintain a clean driving record, complete any required nicotine-free period (3-5 years for most carriers), and avoid starting any new hazardous activities. Scheduling the medical exam for a morning appointment after fasting can also help produce the best possible lab results.
Age itself does not disqualify applicants, as carriers offer Preferred Plus to applicants across all eligible age ranges. However, the likelihood of qualifying may decrease with age because health conditions that disqualify applicants become more common. Older applicants who maintain excellent health can still qualify for Preferred Plus, though the premium rates are higher at older ages regardless of classification.
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