The Hartford Auto Insurance Review

The Hartford Financial Services Group is one of the nation’s largest insurance and financial investment corporations. With assets over $24.7 billion, “the Hartford” has been one of the major financial organizations in the country for many years.

The company offers investments, auto and homeowner’s insurance, and life insurance policies.

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The Hartford employs more than 28,000 people, and is based in Hartford, Connecticut. The company also has operations in several international locations, including Great Britain, Canada, Brazil, and Japan.

While financial investments make up a large portion of their business, personal casualty insurance and life insurance are also major parts of the company’s business.

History of the Hartford Insurance Company

The Hartford Company began with a group of local businessmen in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1810. Putting together an initial capital of $15,000, the company began by selling fire insurance to local businesses.

The company grew over the years and managed to remain financially solvent, even after the great fire in New York’s financial district in 1835 and the great Chicago fire of 1871.

The company began selling auto insurance in 1917, along with other personal indemnity policies. By 1959, the Hartford had also expanded into life insurance.

In 1970, ITT acquired the Hartford in what was at that time the largest corporate takeover in history, for a price of $1.4 billion. However, ITT released the Hartford from its holdings in 1995, and the company again became an independent entity.

The Hartford Insurance Company Logo

The company’s symbol, recognized by many from television commercials and other advertising, features an elk fording a stream, a variation on a Landseer portrait once commissioned for the British House of Commons. It is possible that “harts,” or stag deer, might have been drawn on early policies.

The “inside” name of the stag among the Hartford’s employees is “Larry,” after an animal used in early commercials. Notable historic figures have owned this insurance at different times, including Robert E. Lee, Abraham Lincoln, and Babe Ruth.

Customer Service Reviews of Hartford Insurance

According to J.D. Power and Associates, an independent investigative firm, the Hartford’s customer satisfaction ratings are about average. Customers gave Hartford three out of five stars in all categories, and a rating of 770 out of 1000 on the Customer Satisfaction Index, which places the company 20th overall.

A.M. Best, which investigates the financial soundness of companies, gave the Hartford’s various insurance subsidiaries an “A” rating, which translates to “Superior.” Standard and Poor’s gave the company an “A” rating, as well, while Fitch’s ratings varied from A+ to A-. Moody’s rated the subsidiaries as A2 and A3, which are high quality ratings.

The company’s financial stability is very sound by these indicators.

How competitive are auto insurance rates from the Hartford Insurance Company?

The Hartford offers both life insurance and automobile insurance products. The car insurance section of the company insures thousands of drivers, and is responsible for about 1.62% of the market share for auto insurance.

Auto insurance rates from Hartford are relatively reasonable when compared with an average of other companies. In New York, a market traditionally defined by very high premiums, the Hartford’s average cost was only $1,441, well below that of many larger companies.

However, rate structures are so individually determined that making any statements about the Hartford’s affordability is impossible. The only way to determine how much insurance with the Hartford will cost you is to receive an individualized quote.

The Hartford offers several types of auto insurance discounts including attractive discounts for young drivers including a defensive driving discount, upon proof of completion.

Driver’s education credit is also offered to those under 21 who have completed driver’s education in school (under 25 in Georgia). Students under 25 who maintain a “B” average also qualify for a discount.

You can also save on the Hartford’s rates by bundling your home, and auto insurance with the company. Anti-theft devices and air bags on your car will also earn you a savings.

Each auto insurance policy offers, at a minimum, “No-Drop Coverage,” which guarantees your coverage if you are the victim of an accident; “RecoverCare,” which will benefit you if you must recuperate after an accident; replacement cost coverage for new cars, rather than book value; and 24-hour claim service, seven days a week.

You can also upgrade your policy by adding first accident forgiveness, a disappearing deductible, and a deductible waiver for uninsured motorist accidents. You will also automatically be covered while driving a rental vehicle in the United States.

If you are looking for a company with sound financial stability, sizeable interests, a rich history and competitive rates, the Hartford Insurance Company may be the right provider for you.

However before selecting any auto insurance company always compare at least a handful of providers.

This is the only real way to determine exactly how good one car insurance company is over others. Start your auto insurance comparison search today by entering your ZIP code in the box above.

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