Life insurance table ratings: What is a table rate class?

What is a table rating in life insurance?

Table ratings are used when a life insurance applicant has a serious health issue, risky occupation, or a dangerous lifestyle that increases their risk of premature death and places them outside of the standard rating classes. During the life insurance application process, insurers assess various risk factors to determine the appropriate table rating. The table is used to calculate how much the applicant will pay for insurance beyond the standard rates.

"Table ratings can be given for medical and non-medical conditions," says Thomas Bigoski, owner of the Bigoski Insurance Agency in Gainesville, Va. "Some examples include high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and your combined height and weight, especially obesity. Other issues could be a history of mental illness or your occupation."

Life insurance companies typically assign debits and credits based on your medical history and other factors when calculating your premiums. For instance, if you have heart disease or cancer, that’s a debit. More debits mean higher premiums. If, however, you receive a credit for healthy blood pressure and cholesterol, these credits would decrease your premium.

Other factors can trigger a table rating as well. For example, if you have multiple DUIs or pilot a small plane.

While certainly not a definitive list, here are a few conditions that can trigger a table rating:

• History of cancer
• Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
• Some types of criminal record
• Previous heart attack or stroke
• Mental health issues
• Obesity

How do table ratings work?

Table ratings use a letter or number system where each increasing level adds to the standard rate, usually by increases of 25%. Table ratings usually range from A to P or 1 to 16, although differences exist between carriers. A rating of A increases rates by 25%, B by 50%, and so on up the scale.

A table rating allows insurers to consider additional risk factors when setting a policy premium. Life insurance carriers use these ratings to assess risk and set premium rates based on various underwriting tables. Instead of a preferred or standard category, table-rated applicants are given a number or letter that designates their rating. Depending on that table rating, they will pay an additional percentage on top of the standard rate.

What are life insurance classifications?

Life insurance classifications are the groups into which applicants are sorted to determine what rates they will pay.

Classifications or categories will vary slightly by insurer, but in many cases, there is some standardization. Typical categories include preferred select, preferred, standard plus and standard or regular. Smokers are categorized separately.

Here is a quick rundown of each category:

• Preferred Select. This classification usually refers to the very healthy. To qualify for this level, you need to have a normal weight and height and no family factors that could lead to an early death. This category enjoys the lowest premiums and may also be called Preferred Elite or Preferred Plus.
• Preferred. This category includes people with minor issues that disqualify them from the Select category. This class includes those in great health but with a family history of heart disease, for example.
• Standard Plus. These applicants are still in good health, but a medical or lifestyle factor prevents them from qualifying for a Preferred Select. Being overweight, having high blood pressure or having high cholesterol could be the culprit.
• Standard. This is for people of average health. They have a normal life expectancy and could have minor issues like being a little overweight or having a parent who died young.
• Preferred Smoker. If you are a smoker who would otherwise fall into the preferred select category, this is your class. Smokers will always pay more for life insurance, so be prepared for a higher premium.
• Standard Smoker. A smoker of average health will be placed in this category.

Table ratings use the standard category as the basis of premiums, with a percentage increase on top of that amount depending on how you land on the table.

How does an insurance company decide your table rating?

Underwriters for insurance companies determine your table rating by reviewing your medical history (including pre-existing conditions), lifestyle (like smoking or drinking), and results from your medical exam. Each factor impacts your table rating either negatively (you have a chronic illness) or positively (you're at a healthy weight), resulting in the final table rating.

The insurance company may also consider the individual’s occupation, family medical history, and other factors that may impact their risk level.

A table rating of A places you at the first level of the table rating scale, and each letter up the chain reflects increased risk and higher rates, so a rating of J indicates a high level of risk.

Different insurance companies may have different table rating systems, and the same individual may receive different table ratings from different companies. This is why it’s essential to shop around and compare rates from multiple insurance companies to find the best option for your situation.

How a table rating affects your life insurance premiums

If you receive a table rating from an insurance company, you will pay more for your life insurance. How much more will depend on your rating. Understanding the table ratings can help you improve your insurance rates based on your health conditions.

Below is an example Table rating chart that shows how rates are affected.

This is how table ratings affect your premium. If you receive a table rating of 1 (some companies use “A”) you will be paying the standard rate plus 25% for a life insurance policy. Each letter or number you go up adds another 25%. 

"For example, if a standard premium for a term life policy is $100, if you have a table rate of 1 or ‘A,’ you will most likely pay 25 percent above the standard rate, or $125 per month," says Bigoski. "If you have a table rate of 2 or ‘B’ you will pay 50 percent above the standard rate, or $150 per month."

It should be noted that while most insurers use 25% per level as a standard, it is not a requirement and some insurers will use a different percentage.

What can I do about a table rating?

It's important to remember that risk is not standardized. Each life insurance company has its own proprietary rating system, so it's essential to compare different companies. So, you may be table-rated at one insurance company, while you may qualify for a standard rating with other insurers, which makes shopping your policy important.

• Shop around. If you have been table rated, shop for a policy with other insurance companies to see if you can qualify for either a standard policy or even a higher table rating. The premium difference between an "A" table rating and a "G" table rating is significant.
• Accept and reapply. In most cases, you can reapply in the future for a lower rating if your health or other conditions improve. Most companies let you reapply one or two years after getting a policy to see if you get a better table rating. For instance, you could get a better rating if you lost weight.
• Change coverage levels. While this doesn't change the fact that you are table rated, if the premium is too high, change the coverage levels. If you lower the face amount of the policy or change the term length you can drive down the cost of coverage.
• Ask for an explanation. You have the right to an explanation as to why you have been table rated. If you can provide evidence that the rating is incorrect or your health warrants a higher rating you may be able to improve your rating.
• Ask about table shaving. Some insurance companies offer a “table shave” program that allows applicants to improve their health rating by up to two table ratings if they meet certain medical or lifestyle characteristics. These programs and the qualifications are set by each insurance company.

How do table shave programs work?

Table shave programs are offered by some insurance companies to help improve underwriting offers. These programs can reduce or lower a table rating due to a healthy lifestyle. For example, a person with a table rating of “D” may be eligible for a table shave program that reduces their rating to “B” if they meet certain health and lifestyle requirements.

Table shave programs can vary significantly between insurance companies, and not all companies offer them. However, they can be a valuable option for individuals who want to improve their table rating and reduce their premiums.

Examples of table shave programs include:

• Columbus Life Insurance Company's Table Shave for Universal Life Plans: This program is typically available for applicants who fall into a higher-risk class (e.g., Table B, C, etc.). The table shave can reduce the rating by one or more tables, subject to program parameters.
• Lincoln National’s Table Reduction Program: This program offers a table shave of up to 1 table for individuals who meet the health and lifestyle requirements.

It’s essential to note that table shave programs are not available from all insurance companies, and the specific requirements and benefits of these programs can vary significantly.

How does table shaving work?

A company may have 16 health credit factors available to applicants ranging from regular preventative medical care to being a lifetime non-smoker or having an income over $100,000. If an applicant meets four of the 16 factors, the insurer will improve their table rating by one table, going from a “C” to a “B”. This can be a major money saver if you can manage to move up two tables.

Sources

Columbus Life Insurance Company. "Columbus Table shave." Accessed March 2026.

Lincoln's Financial Group. "Lincoln's table reduction program." Accessed March 2026.