Life Insurance
Table Rating
A 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.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology
Definition
When an underwriter determines that an applicant presents a higher mortality risk than the standard population but is still insurable, a table rating is applied to reflect the additional risk through a premium surcharge. Most carriers use a table system where each table step represents approximately a 25% surcharge above the standard premium—Table 2 adds roughly 50%, Table 4 adds 100%, and Table 8 doubles the standard premium. An applicant with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes diagnosed at age 50 applying for a $500,000 20-year term might receive a Table 2 or Table 4 rating rather than an outright decline, increasing the $60 standard monthly premium to $90–$120. Conditions commonly resulting in table ratings include diabetes, obesity, cancer history, heart disease, sleep apnea, and hazardous occupations or hobbies such as scuba diving or aviation. Each insurer has its own underwriting manual and risk appetite, so the same applicant may receive Table 2 from one carrier and a Standard rating from a carrier with a more favorable view of the condition. Independent brokerage is particularly valuable for substandard risks because brokers can shop the case to multiple carriers simultaneously.
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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 2026-06-14
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