The Hartford Announces Lower Car Insurance Prices in Indiana

Company's popular 'Dimensions' product purchased through agents now priced more favorably for customers HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 15 -- To better serve its Indiana agents and customers, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. , one of the nation's leading providers of investment and insurance products, announced today that it will offer lower prices to many drivers under its popular Dimensions personal auto insurance program, which is available through the company's network of independent agents. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051208/HARTFORDLOGO ) New price adjustments will make the competitively-priced Dimensions plan an even better choice when it comes to car insurance in the Hoosier state. These changes will enable agents and their front line representatives to reach a greater number of customers with the following benefits: * Lower prices for approximately one-third of existing and prospective customers. * Annual savings of $100 or more for 25% of these reduced-price customers. * Changes effective February 15, 2006 for new policies and April 5, 2006 for renewal business. "The auto insurance market is extremely competitive, and we're constantly reviewing our rates to remain a top player in the state," said Mike Concannon, senior vice president for The Hartford. "While Dimensions is already a huge success, we're thrilled to be offering it at even lower prices. This will certainly give our 117 personal lines agents in Indiana one more reason to quote The Hartford." The Hartford's announcement marks the third time in the past year that the company has voluntarily lowered personal auto insurance prices in Indiana. During that same period, it has also grown the number of its agency relationships from 71 to 117, leveraging its competitiveness, financial strength and leading edge technology to remain a trusted name with both agents and policyholders. About The Hartford's Dimensions Program: One of the most sophisticated underwriting plans in the industry, Dimensions offers a state-of-the-art, multi-dimensional approach to pricing, or "rating," a customer's driving risk. By connecting and calculating numerous risk factors -- such as age, driving history, vehicle age and vehicle use -- The Hartford enables agents to generate a customized rate for each policyholder. Unlike other programs, Dimensions evaluates customers on an individual basis so that one driver will not affect the rates of other members in the same household. With this personalized approach, agents are better equipped to keep their customers satisfied at every stage of life without drastically changing the price they pay for auto insurance each year. Underwriting is also much easier for agents and their service representatives, who can take advantage of The Hartford's easy-to-use electronic quoting, submission and issuing systems. The Hartford's Dimensions plan, which offers a full range of comprehensive auto coverage, was first launched in 2003 and is now available in 41 states, including Indiana. Since the program's inception, the company's Indiana agency-based auto insurance business has grown more than 55 percent. The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest financial services and insurance companies, with 2005 revenues of $27.1 billion. The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property and casualty insurance. International operations are located in Japan, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The Hartford's Internet address is http://www.thehartford.com/. Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include those discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued. Source: www.theautochannel.com