Standard Rate

The standard rate is the baseline premium rate for a risk class representing individuals with average health and mortality expectations — not the best rates available (those go to preferred or super preferred applicants) but not elevated rates for higher-risk individuals either. Applicants classified as "standard" typically have some health impairments — slightly elevated blood pressure, borderline BMI, family history of certain conditions — but not to a degree that qualifies them for preferred rates. Roughly 50–60% of applicants end up in standard or sub-standard classifications. Standard rates are meaningfully higher than preferred rates; for large coverage amounts, the premium difference can be thousands of dollars annually.