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The Hartford Offers Its Omni Automobile Program in South Carolina

30 April 1999

The Hartford Offers Its Omni Automobile Program in South Carolina Program Specializes in Non-Standard Auto Insurance

    HARTFORD, Conn., April 29 -- The Hartford Financial Services
Group, Inc. announced that it is now writing non-standard auto
insurance in South Carolina.  The Hartford's Omni Automobile Program,
available in 24 states, covers higher-risk drivers and vehicles.
    The Hartford, which acquired the Omni Group in 1998, has launched a multi-
state expansion effort for the Omni program.  Other recent state entries
include Arizona, California, Colorado, New York and Oregon.
    Omni President Paul Kennedy said, "The Hartford's Omni Automobile Program
is built on our 13 years of experience in the non-standard auto insurance
market.  We want the Omni program to be the specialty auto insurance product
of choice with independent insurance agents and consumers."
    Combined with The Hartford's premier line of standard automobile insurance
products, The Omni Automobile Program completes The Hartford's auto insurance
product offering.
    "This product is an affordable, reliable solution for insurance agents
whose customers do not fit into the classic insurance categories," added
Kennedy.
    The Hartford's Omni Automobile Program is available to consumers through
some 7,500 independent insurance agents.  South Carolina agents interested in
offering the Omni product should contact Jim Carnley, sales administration
manager, at 800-777-OMNI, extension 32570.
    The Hartford's Omni program is also available to AARP members through the
company's Personal Lines Insurance Center, and to affinity groups such as
customers of financial institutions.
    To date, The Hartford is writing non-standard auto insurance in Alabama,
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois,
Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North
Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
Virginia and Wisconsin.
    The Hartford is one of the nation's largest international
insurance and financial services operations, with 1998 revenues of
$15 billion.  As of March 31, 1999, The Hartford had assets of $151 billion
and shareholders' equity of $6.3 billion.  The company is a leading provider
of automobile and homeowners coverages; commercial property and casualty
insurance; reinsurance; and a variety of life insurance, investment products,
employee benefits, group retirement plans and institutional liability funding
products.
    The Hartford's Internet address is http://www.thehartford.com.
    Omni's Internet address is http://www.omniins.com.