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.

Where this term matters

Life Insurance →Insurance Companies →

Tip

Glossary definitions are educational. Always check your own policy language — insurers can define common terms differently from one another. When in doubt, request a written explanation from your agent.

Related terms

Substandard RatingA substandard rating is assigned to life insurance applicants whose health or lifestyle profile poses above-average mortality risk, resulting in premium surcharges—expressed as table ratings—to compensate the insurer for the elevated risk while still providing coverage.Preferred PlusPreferred Plus (also called Preferred Best or Super Preferred) is the top underwriting risk class offered by most life insurers, awarded to applicants with excellent health, favorable family history, ideal height-weight proportions, and clean driving and lifestyle records—qualifying them for the lowest available premium rates.Standard ClassStandard class is the baseline underwriting category for life insurance applicants who present average health risk, including those with minor health conditions, borderline height-weight ratios, or modest family history concerns that prevent qualification for Preferred or Preferred Plus rates.Paramedical ExamA paramedical exam is a simplified medical examination—typically 20–30 minutes, conducted at the applicant's home or workplace by a trained paramedical technician—used by life insurance underwriters to collect blood, urine, and vital sign data to assess the applicant's health and mortality risk.MIB Report (Medical Information Bureau)An MIB report is a coded record maintained by the Medical Information Bureau—now MIB Group—that contains information disclosed on previous life, health, and disability insurance applications, used by underwriters to detect application inconsistencies and potential non-disclosure.

Related guides

Source: Cover Forge USA editorial team|Last verified: May 2026|Methodology
Definitions are educational and may be simplified. Always refer to your policy contract and consult a licensed agent for terms that affect coverage decisions.
CF

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 June 2026

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