Life Insurance Table Ratings Explained
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Understand Your Life Insurance Table Rating
See how table ratings affect price, compare alternatives, and map a path to better offers.
Life insurance table ratings are risk classes used by insurers when an applicant doesn’t qualify for Preferred or Standard. A table rating adds a surcharge to the Standard rate to reflect higher expected risk (for example, a medical condition, build, or hazardous activity). In this guide we explain how table ratings are assigned, how they impact premiums, and practical ways to improve your outcome before you apply.
How life insurance table ratings work
What a table rating means for your premium
Insurers start with a Standard rate and add a percentage “table” charge if risk is above average. A common scale is +25% per table (varies by carrier). Here’s a typical illustration compared with Standard:
| Table | Also shown as | Typical surcharge* |
|---|---|---|
| Table 1 | Table A | +25% |
| Table 2 | Table B | +50% |
| Table 3 | Table C | +75% |
| Table 4 | Table D | +100% |
| Table 5 | Table E | +125% |
| Table 6 | Table F | +150% |
| Table 7 | Table G | +175% |
| Table 8 | Table H | +200% |
*Educational example; exact scales vary by company, product, and state.
Some insurers use “table shave” programs for small policies, reducing a low table (e.g., Table 2) back to Standard if other factors are excellent. That’s one reason we benchmark multiple carriers before you apply.
Letters vs. numbers (A–H vs. 1–8)
Reading your offer across different carrier systems
Carriers communicate life insurance table ratings with either letters (A–H) or numbers (1–8). These are usually equivalent (A≍1, B≍2, etc.) and indicate how far you are above Standard. If you receive an offer at a different company, we translate letter and number scales so you can compare pricing apples-to-apples.
Table ratings vs. flat extras
When dollar surcharges make more sense
A flat extra is a dollar charge per $1,000 of coverage, often temporary (e.g., $2.50 per $1,000 for 5 years). Insurers use flat extras for finite risks—like a recent cancer history or hazardous aviation—where risk diminishes over time. Sometimes a small table plus a short flat extra beats a large permanent table.
| Scenario | Illustrative offer | Planning takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Recent but treated condition | Standard + $2.50/1,000 for 3 years | Cost drops after year 3 when the flat extra ends |
| Chronic, stable condition | Table 3 (no flat extra) | Permanent table likely; re-underwrite if labs improve |
Ways to improve a life insurance table rating
Practical steps before you apply or re-apply
- Pre-screen your case anonymously: We can shop medical details to underwriters without a formal application to identify the friendliest carrier.
- Update recent medical records: Fresh labs, stable medications, and physician notes often help move a Table offer toward Standard.
- Mind build and bloodwork: Improving BMI, A1c, cholesterol ratio, and liver enzymes can materially impact results within months.
- Time-bound risks: For pilot, scuba, or backcountry activities, allow a seasoning period or tailor your aviation/scuba questionnaire for accuracy.
- Ask about reconsideration: Many carriers will review for a better class 6–12 months after issue if risk factors improve.
For product choices and underwriting basics, see our comprehensive life insurance page and compare options with the quotes tool below.
Policy design strategies with table ratings
Design the contract to fit today—then improve tomorrow
- Start with a lower face amount: Lock coverage now, then increase later after reconsideration.
- Use convertible term strategically: Many carriers allow conversion to permanent coverage without a new exam during a window—helpful if your rating improves.
- Blend with guaranteed issue: When fully underwritten coverage is limited, pair it with guaranteed-issue or simplified issue for immediate protection.
- Coordinate employer benefits: If you have group life at work, layer personal coverage to reach your needed total.
Need help picking the right design? Visit our guide to choosing term life or run a quick comparison below.
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Helpful resources
- life insurance for kidney disease (how carriers underwrite renal conditions)
- life insurance with drug abuse history (what improves eligibility over time)
- burial insurance calculator tool (quick estimates for final-expense needs)
- Consumer education from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
FAQs: Life Insurance Table Ratings
What is a life insurance table rating?
It’s a surcharge above Standard pricing when risk is higher than average. Each table step increases cost, commonly in 25% increments per table.
How many table ratings are there?
Most carriers use 8 tables (1–8 or A–H). Some have more, but the idea is the same—the higher the table, the larger the surcharge.
Can a table rating improve later?
Often yes. With better labs, stable conditions, or time since treatment, carriers may reconsider 6–12 months after issue. We’ll request a review when you’re ready.
What’s the difference between a table rating and a flat extra?
A table increases the percentage of premium permanently; a flat extra adds a per-$1,000 dollar charge, often for a set number of years, when risk is temporary.
Do all companies use the same scale?
No—programs and thresholds vary. That’s why we pre-screen your case and match you to the carrier most likely to offer a better outcome.
