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The Hartford Extends its Omni Auto Plan to Washington Program

27 October 1999

The Hartford Extends its Omni Auto Plan to Washington Program Provides Specialty Auto Insurance    

    HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 26 -- The Hartford Financial Services
Group, Inc. is expanding its specialty auto insurance program into
Washington, bringing to 29 the number of states in which higher-risk drivers
and vehicles can be covered by The Hartford's Omni Auto Plan.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990824/HIGLOGO)
    That means most Washington drivers can qualify for insurance from The
Hartford, irrespective of their driving record, the type of vehicle they drive
or their previous insurance history.
    The Hartford acquired the Omni Group in 1998, and has launched a multi-
state expansion effort for the Omni program making it available through agents
that represent The Hartford as well as through those that represent Omni.
    Omni President Paul Kennedy said, "The Hartford's Omni Auto Plan combines
Omni's 13 years of experience in the specialty auto insurance market with The
Hartford's name brand, resources and wide product line.  We want customers to
be able to find the auto insurance they need without changing agents."
    A family with a standard car and a high-performance car often would need
two companies to handle their auto insurance.  Or a customer whose driving
record seriously deteriorates would likely have to switch insurance companies
- and then switch again if they were accident-free for a prolonged period.
    "Omni provides an affordable, reliable solution for insurance agents whose
customers do not fit into the traditional insurance categories," added
Kennedy.
    The Hartford's Omni Auto Plan is available to consumers through more than
9,000 independent insurance agents.  Washington 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 specialty auto insurance in Alabama,
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
    The Hartford's Omni Auto Plan in Washington is underwritten by its
subsidiaries Omni Insurance Company and Trumbull Insurance Company.
    The Hartford is one of the nation's largest international insurance and
financial services companies, with 1998 revenues of $15.0 billion.  As of
Sept. 30, 1999, The Hartford had assets of $153.6 billion and shareholders'
equity of $5.8 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.