Preferred plus, also called super preferred or elite, is the highest non-tobacco underwriting class available from many life insurance carriers. Applicants in this class exhibit exceptionally favorable risk profiles, with excellent build, optimal blood pressure and cholesterol levels, no significant medical history, clean driving records, and strong family longevity. They may also meet stricter guidelines for lifestyle factors such as alcohol use, aviation, and hazardous hobbies. Because mortality expectations are lowest in this cohort, carriers offer their most competitive premiums at preferred plus. Not every healthy applicant will qualify; small impairments or family history issues can move an otherwise strong case down to regular preferred or standard.

In practice, advisors often reference preferred plus when presenting "best case" quotes for young, healthy clients. The term has marketing appeal, signaling that a client is a top risk. During field underwriting, however, wholesalers stress that preferred plus is earned, not assumed, and depends on detailed medical and lifestyle information. When underwriting ultimately assigns a lower class than preferred plus, advisors explain which criteria were not met and may consider alternate carriers with slightly different guidelines. Over time, maintaining preferred plus status for new coverage becomes more difficult as age and medical history evolve, so some clients choose to secure larger amounts of coverage while they still qualify for elite pricing.