Life Insurance Rate Classes

The cost of your life insurance depends largely on the rate class (or risk class) you qualify for, with the best rates — often called Preferred Plus — offering the lowest premiums. Insurers assign you to a class based on factors like your health, lifestyle, and family medical history, as determined by their underwriting process.

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Substandard / Table Rated

People who have more than just minor health problems fall into a fifth substandard category. The substandard category covers a series of several class called Table ratings. Table rated policies are usually identified with a letter or number (ex. Standard Table B or Standard Table 4). And pricing will typically go up 25 percent per table over Standard rates.

If you’re buying a policy from an insurance agent, the goal is to figure out which rate class you’ll be approved at, and which insurance company offers you the best rate’s for your rate class. “Preferred Best” is the best rate class you can get. If you qualify for this rate class, you should be paying the lowest price for your coverage.

The terms Rated life insurance and Table Rated life insurance are commonly used to describe a policy that falls into the substandard rate class for life insurance.

Rate Class / Risk Class Guide

Preferred Plus

Excellent overall health
Must have a clean driving record
Must be tobacco / nicotine‑free 3 to 5 years
No history of drug or alcohol abuse
No family history of health‑related death, heart disease, or cancer prior to age 60
Must not engage in any hazardous activities (private pilot, skydiving, race car driving, etc.)
No illegal activities or history (felony)

Preferred

Excellent overall health
Must have a good driving record
Must be tobacco / nicotine‑free 2 to 3 years
No history of drug or alcohol abuse
No family history of health‑related death or heart disease before age 60 (some cancers allowed)
Must not engage in any hazardous activities (private pilot, skydiving, race car driving, etc.)
Well‑controlled blood pressure or cholesterol (minimum 1 year)
No illegal activities or history (felony)

Standard Plus

Good overall health (better than average)
Minor weight issue (BMI <28)
Must have a good driving record
Must be tobacco / nicotine-free at least 1 year
No history of drug or alcohol abuse
Family history – minor health issues related to heart disease or cancer prior to age 60
Must not engage in any hazardous activities (private pilot, skydiving, race car driving, etc.)
Minor blood pressure and/or cholesterol issues (monitored)
No illegal activities or history (felony)

Standard

Good overall health (average)
Minor weight issue (BMI <30)
Must have a good driving record
Must be tobacco / nicotine-free at least 1 year
No history of drug or alcohol abuse
Family history – loss of 1 parent or sibling before age 60 from health-related issues
Must not engage in any hazardous activities (private pilot, skydiving, race car driving, etc.)
Minor blood pressure and cholesterol issues (monitored)
No illegal activities

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Factors that can affect your Rate Class

Smoking or Tobacco Intake

One of the most expensive habits you can have, premium-wise. A cigarette smoker, on average, can be asked to pay up to 50% more than a non-smoker. Quitting tobacco will help bring your rates down, but only after a lengthy observation period. Most insurance firms wait at least 1 year before offering a partial rebate, and a full 3 years before allowing for parity in terms of premium rates.

Obesity

By itself, obesity isn’t a cause for an increase in premium rates, but because obesity more often than not results in heart issues and/or diabetes, it is considered a major determinant when calculating insurance premiums. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is even slightly over what is considered healthy, your premium rates will reflect this. It is advisable to make sure you aren’t overweight when going in for your medical checkup, and make sure your recent medical records don’t allude to obesity either, because they will be checked.

Other Medical Conditions

Cancer, cholesterol, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and even depression can disrupt your premium rates drastically. Anything that is indicative of a history of ill health can be detrimental to your insurance premium. The underwriter will investigate your family history too, because certain ailments like diabetes and Thalassemia have been known to pass on through hereditary or genetic means.

Driving Records

An individual’s driving record is taken into consideration when calculating life insurance rates. If the individual in question has a propensity for violating traffic laws, then it is assumed that he or she is a bigger risk in terms of life expectancy, and the premium will definitely reflect that. The more innocuous violations, like parking tickets, won’t usually affect insurance rates, but accidents and more serious offenses will.

Profession

People with more dangerous jobs such as motor sport racers, pilots, and construction workers are more likely to meet with a fatal accident on the job. As a result, they’ll pay more. The dangers you put yourself in on a daily basis will definitely impact your insurance rates.

Extracurricular activities

Your hobbies can also impact your insurance rates. If you enjoy sky diving, bungee jumping, and other recreational activities that could be deemed adventurous or dangerous, they will end up costing you.

Common Health Conditions and Rate Class

The chart below covers many common health conditions, and shows the relative Rate Class a person with the condition is likely to qualify for under ideal conditions. Most conditions must be well controlled or in remission at least 2 years to qualify for the rate class shown. Each insurance company is different, in how they classify and qualify individuals for each rating class.

Life Insurance Rate Classes and Common Health Conditions
Health Conditions	Preferred Plus	Preferred	Standard or Standard Plus	Substandard Table Rated	Uninsurable for Traditional Coverage
Aids					X
Alcohol / Substance Abuse (sober at least 2 years)				X
Alcohol / Substance Abuse (current)					X
Arthritis (Osteo)	X
Arthritis (Rheumatoid)				X
Asthma (Allergy)		X
Asthma (Steroid Meds)				X
Autistic Child					X
Blood Thinners				X
Blood Pressure (controlled)		X
BP and Choleserol (Controlled)		X
Bronchitis			X
Cancer (Basel cell)	X
Cancer (non Basal cell)			X
Cardiovascular / Heart Disease				X
Cholesterol (controlled)	X
Crohn’n Disease				X
Depression (on-going)			X
Depression (situational)		X
Diabetes				X
Diabetes (A1C>10.1)					X
Emphysema				X
Epilepsy				X
Heart Attacks				X
Hepatitis A or B			X
Hepatitis C				X
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)			X
Kidney / Liver Disease				X
Kidney Dialysis					X
Mental Illness				X
Mutiple Sclerosis				X
Stroke				X
Sleep Apnea (CPAP Compliant)			X
Ulcerative Colitis				X
This table is a guide only and subject to change without notice. This chart is based on individuals with a single condition and no other health issues. Most conditions must be well controlled or in remissionn at least 2 years to qualify for the rate class shown.

Life Insurance Rate Class: FAQs

What is a life insurance rate class?

A life insurance rate class (also called a health class or underwriting class) is the category an insurer assigns you based on your health, lifestyle, medical history, and risk factors. Your rate class determines the premium you’ll pay — healthier applicants receive lower rates.

Why do rate classes matter?

Rate classes directly impact your monthly premium. For example, someone in Preferred Plus may pay far less than someone in Standard or Substandard. Knowing your rate class helps you understand pricing and compare coverage options.

What are the main life insurance rate classes?

While names vary slightly by insurer, the most common classes are:

Preferred Plus / Super Preferred
Preferred
Standard Plus
Standard
Substandard (Table Ratings)

Applicants with health or lifestyle risks may fall into table ratings such as Table A, B, C, etc., which increase premiums.

How does the underwriting process determine rate class?

Insurers evaluate multiple factors, including:

Medical records
Height and weight (BMI)
Blood pressure and cholesterol
Family medical history
Tobacco use
Driving history
Occupation and hobbies
Prescription history
Medical exam results (if required)

All these factors help the insurer estimate your overall risk level.

What is the best rate class you can qualify for?

The top-tier class is typically Preferred Plus (or Super Preferred). Applicants in this class are very healthy, nonsmokers, with strong family medical history and excellent vitals.

What are table ratings in life insurance?

Table ratings are used when an applicant does not qualify for Standard due to higher health risks. Table ratings increase premiums in tiers — for example:

Table A = +25%
Table B = +50%
Table C = +75%

The higher the table, the higher the premium. Some insurers use numbers instead of letters.

Does family medical history affect my rate class?

Yes. Conditions like early-onset heart disease, cancer, or stroke in immediate family members can affect your rating — especially if they occurred before age 60. Some insurers are more lenient than others.

Can my rate class improve over time?

Yes. If your health improves (e.g., weight loss, normalizing blood pressure, quitting smoking), you may request reconsideration or apply for a new policy to secure a better rate class.

What if my rate class is lower than expected?

If you receive a lower rate class, you can:

Ask your agent to shop other insurers
Request reconsideration with additional medical records
Accept a lower coverage amount to reduce premiums
Try again later after improving health

Different insurers evaluate risks differently, so shopping around is key.

Maintaining a healthy weight
Quitting smoking or vaping
Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol
Staying active
Reducing alcohol consumption
Providing full and accurate medical information

Working with an agency like AccuQuote allows you to compare multiple insurers to find the best rate for your unique profile.