A 215-year-old carrier with top claims satisfaction, broad commercial appetite, and a personal lines product that doesn't require AARP membership. Here's what we've learned in our first year.
The Hartford has been in business since 1810 — 215 years of continuous operation, making it one of the oldest insurance companies in the United States. It is a Fortune 500 company ranked #162, trades on the NYSE under the ticker HIG, and reported $28.4 billion in revenue in 2025. AM Best upgraded The Hartford to A+ Superior in July 2025, reflecting improved financial strength and operating performance. In the 2026 J.D. Power Property Claims Satisfaction Study, The Hartford ranked in the top three nationally alongside Amica and Chubb.
The Hartford is widely known for their exclusive AARP partnership — they have been the only auto insurance endorsed by AARP for over 40 years. What most people don't know is that AARP membership is not required when placing through an independent agent like Options Insurance. Their Prevail personal lines product is available to clients 45 and older regardless of AARP membership. That's a meaningful differentiator that expands access to The Hartford's senior-focused coverage features — disappearing deductibles, Replacement Plus home upgrades, and new car replacement — without requiring clients to join AARP first.
We began placing clients with The Hartford in 2025 across both personal and commercial lines. On the commercial side, their professional liability appetite is one of the broadest in our portfolio — a wide range of professional classes eligible, aggressive pricing when they want the business, and easy systems for both agents and clients. On personal lines, they are best suited for clients 45+ with clean records who want to bundle home and auto under one account.
In our first year of placement, here's what has consistently stood out — supported by third-party data and early client experience.
The Hartford ranked in the top three in J.D. Power's 2026 Property Claims Satisfaction Study, alongside Amica and Chubb. Their home NAIC complaint index of 0.53 — roughly half the industry average — tells a consistent story: when homeowners file a claim, The Hartford handles it well. For clients where claims handling quality matters more than premium, this is a compelling credential.
On the commercial side, The Hartford's professional liability appetite is one of the most expansive in our portfolio. A wide range of professional classes are eligible — consultants, technology professionals, financial advisors, healthcare-adjacent, and more. When they want a commercial account, they are aggressive to win it. Their systems are easy to use and their underwriting communication is fast and clear.
This surprises most clients. The Hartford's Prevail personal lines product is available to clients 45 and older without an AARP membership when placed through an independent agent. That means our clients access The Hartford's senior-focused coverage features — disappearing deductible, Replacement Plus, new car replacement — without needing to join AARP first. It's a genuine access advantage that direct channel customers don't have.
Replacement Plus upgrades your home for accessibility after a covered claim — wider doorways, walk-in showers, lower countertops — at no additional cost. The disappearing deductible reduces $50 every claim-free year. New car replacement covers the full value of a new vehicle. These are features specifically designed for the 45+ household that has accumulated assets and wants coverage that reflects where they are in life, not a generic policy.
The Hartford's agent platform is efficient and straightforward — one of the easier commercial submissions processes in our portfolio. Their client-facing systems are accessible online and via mobile app for policy management, claims filing, and payment. For clients who prefer phone-based service, The Hartford has dedicated lines for both AARP and non-AARP customers.
AM Best upgraded The Hartford to A+ Superior in July 2025 — a meaningful improvement that reflects strengthened financials, improved operating performance, and a stable outlook. S&P rates them A+ and Moody's assigns A1. For clients who want a carrier with demonstrated financial improvement rather than just long-standing ratings, The Hartford's trajectory is worth noting.
The Hartford's commercial appetite is broad and aggressive — particularly on professional liability. When they want a commercial account, they compete hard on price. Here's what we write and what to know.
This is where The Hartford stands apart in our portfolio. Their professional liability appetite covers a remarkably broad range of classes — consultants, technology professionals, financial advisors, healthcare-adjacent professionals, and more. Coverage forms are comprehensive with solid defense provisions. When they want a professional liability account, they are aggressive on price. This is our first call for clients with E&O or professional liability exposure.
The Hartford's GL is well-suited for main street and professional services businesses. Good appetite for a wide range of business classes, competitive when packaged as a business owner's policy with property, and clear underwriting communication when a class isn't in appetite.
The Hartford brings genuine depth to commercial property — replacement cost coverage, business income, and equipment breakdown endorsements available. A reliable choice for businesses with owned or leased commercial space that need a comprehensive package alongside their GL.
The Hartford writes commercial auto for a range of business operations. Hired and non-owned auto is available for businesses where employees occasionally use personal vehicles for work. Note: some larger vehicles (3/4 ton and above) may have eligibility limitations — we'll flag this during the quoting process.
The Hartford is one of the larger workers compensation carriers in the country, with substantial experience across a wide range of business classes. Their risk control programs help employers reduce claims before they happen, and their claims communication is generally proactive.
Commercial note: The Hartford's professional liability appetite is the standout in their commercial portfolio. For businesses with professional liability exposure, The Hartford is typically our first call — and they compete aggressively to win that business.
No carrier is perfect. These are the areas where, in our experience and based on third-party data, The Hartford has room to improve.
The Hartford's personal auto and umbrella policies are written on a six-month term rather than the standard annual term. Most clients — and most carriers in our portfolio — default to annual. Six-month terms mean more frequent renewal touchpoints, more frequent rate adjustments, and a billing cadence that some clients find inconvenient. It's not a coverage issue, but it's a friction point we flag upfront because client preference matters.
The Hartford has eligibility restrictions on certain larger vehicles — 3/4 ton trucks and above may not qualify under their standard auto product. For clients with heavy-duty trucks, work vehicles, or larger recreational tow vehicles, we may need to look at other carriers. We identify this during the quoting process, but it's worth knowing upfront if your household includes larger vehicles.
The Hartford does not currently offer service line coverage as an endorsement on their homeowners product. Service line coverage protects the underground utility lines running from the street to your home — water, sewer, electrical — which can be expensive to repair. For clients where this coverage is a priority, we may need to supplement with a standalone service line product or look at other carriers that include it.
The Hartford's NAIC complaint index for auto insurance is above average — more complaints than expected for their size. This contrasts with their excellent home complaint index of 0.53. Third-party reviewers note that auto complaints often center on communication during claims and rate increases after incidents. Their auto claims J.D. Power score of 9th out of 20 is above average, so the complaint volume may reflect rate sensitivity more than claims handling quality.
We've been placing clients with The Hartford since 2025. Based on their product profile and our first year of experience, here's who belongs with The Hartford — and who we'd steer elsewhere.
If you're weighing The Hartford against two common alternatives for personal and commercial lines, here's what the public data shows. We represent both The Hartford and Travelers; we don't represent Allstate.
| Category | The Hartford via Options Insurance |
Travelers | Allstate |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM Best Rating | A+ Superior (upgraded 2025) | A++ Superior | A+ Superior |
| J.D. Power Property Claims (2026) | Top 3 Nationally | Not ranked in top 3 | Below average |
| NAIC Complaint Index (Home) | 0.53 — well below average | Below average | Above average |
| Professional Liability Appetite | Broad — wide class eligibility, aggressive pricing | Good | More limited |
| Senior-Focused Coverage Features | Replacement Plus, disappearing deductible, new car replacement | Not available | Not available |
| AARP Membership Required | No — not required through independent agents | N/A | N/A |
| Auto Policy Term | 6 months — more frequent renewals | Annual | Annual |
| Agent Advocacy at Claim Time | Options Insurance advocates for you | Options Insurance advocates for you | Captive agent works for the carrier |
"We place clients with The Hartford when they have a main street type business that values comprehensive coverage for a competitive price, or when they are middle-aged or older and value coverage for personal lines. Easy system, good rates, great communication — and AARP membership is not required, which surprises most clients. After our first year, The Hartford has become a go-to for professional liability and for personal lines clients in the 45+ profile who want quality coverage and top claims service."
— Carolyn Todd, Commercial Lines Agent, Options Insurance
Already a Hartford client through Options Insurance? Here are the resources you need.
Available 24/7. You can also file online at thehartford.com or through the MyHartford mobile app. Commercial claims: 1-800-327-3636.
Non-AARP customers (independent agent channel): 1-877-896-9320. For policy changes, your Options Insurance agent is often the fastest route.
Manage your policy, make payments, view ID cards, file claims, and access MyHartford — the online account portal for both personal and commercial lines clients.
Download on the App Store or Google Play. Digital ID cards, bill payment, claims filing and tracking, and policy management. Available for both personal and commercial lines policyholders.
Carolyn is Options Insurance's lead agent for Hartford placements across both personal and commercial lines. She specializes in professional liability, workers compensation, and coverage for clients in the 45+ household profile. "Easy system, good rates, great communication — and most clients are surprised to learn that AARP membership isn't required."
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Start Your Free Quote →The opinions expressed on this page reflect the experience of Options Insurance agents based on policies placed and client feedback received over 15 years. Individual results may vary. Options Insurance has a commercial relationship with The Hartford as an appointed independent agent. This review is not sponsored, approved, or endorsed by The Hartford. AM Best, J.D. Power, and NAIC data are sourced from publicly available reports and are cited for informational purposes. Ratings are subject to change. Options Insurance does not represent Allstate. The Hartford's Prevail personal lines product availability and age requirements may vary by state. Comparison data is based on publicly available third-party research. Coverage availability and terms vary by state, risk profile, and underwriting criteria. This page does not constitute a coverage guarantee or binding commitment.