---

More Missouri Nontraditional Drivers Seeing Better Auto Rates

24 November 1998

More Missouri Nontraditional Drivers Seeing Better Auto Rates from The Hartford

          Changes Could Mean Significant Discounts for Some Drivers

    HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 24 -- Smashing stereotypes of what
defines a responsible driver, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has
introduced lower auto rates in Missouri for a broad range of drivers who have
typically paid higher rates for auto insurance.  Single parents, young
drivers, and renters are just some of the customers who will benefit from this
new auto rating plan.
    The Hartford has lowered rates in ten categories as part of its long-range
strategic effort to expand its customer base beyond its traditional
constituency of married homeowners with two or more cars and excellent driving
records.  Other groups benefiting from discounts are empty nesters, commuters,
single-car households, company car drivers and owners of performance cars.
Even drivers who have an accident may qualify for lower rates.
    "We're looking for responsible risks in new places," explained Richard T.
Guertin, The Hartford's president of Agency Personal Lines.  "We want to help
agents boost their business by offering lower rates to more prospects."
    Lange noted that in the past two years The Hartford has significantly
reduced its base rates in most states and broadened its underwriting
guidelines.  The Hartford also has lowered premiums for people in diverse
households, defined as those in domestic partnerships and widows, widowers and
divorcees raising children.  In addition, The Hartford increased its capacity
to serve virtually all types of customers through its purchase last year of
Omni Insurance Group, Inc., a nonstandard auto insurer.
    "The Hartford wants customers for life," emphasized Guertin.  "We don't
want to lose policyholders if their children get their driver's license, or if
they change their marital status.  We want to offer competitive rates for good
drivers at different stages in their lives."
    Policyholders with teenage or college-age children also could find good
deals.  The Hartford has reduced rates for many youthful drivers -- defined in
most states as aged 16 to 24 -- and now offers an increased Good Student
credit and Driver Training credit.  Drivers aged 50 to 64 also are eligible
for a rate reduction.
    Many single people will find The Hartford's new discounts particularly
attractive.  Those with children, even if they've never married, are now
eligible for preferred status.  Renters who have their renters and auto
insurance with The Hartford can enjoy up to a five percent discount. And due
to lower base rates, single-car households also qualify for a lower rate.
    Other new benefits include lower rates for commuters, drivers whose second
car is a company car, owners of intermediate- and high-performance cars, and
drivers with certain moving violations or accidents on their record.
"Sophisticated underwriting enables us to find good drivers without relying on
traditional rating classifications," Guertin said. This enables us to lower
rates for new groups of people.
    Missouri is one of the latest states where The Hartford is offering the
new rates.  The company expects the program to be approved in most states by
year-end 1998.
    The Hartford is one of the nation's oldest and largest
international insurance and financial services operations, with 1997 revenues
of $13.3 billion.  As of September 30, 1998, The Hartford had assets of
$141.1 billion and shareholder equity of $6.4 billion. The company is a
leading provider of commercial property and casualty insurance, automobile and
homeowners coverages, and a variety of life insurance, annuities, employee
benefits, and asset management plans. For a listing of independent agents in
your area who handle The Hartford's personal lines, visit the company's
website at http://www.thehartford.com.