The Hartford auto insurance

Overview

The Hartford is one of the oldest U.S. insurers and the exclusive provider of auto and home insurance designed for AARP members. It ranked #19 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written according to NAIC market share data, with $2.32 billion in auto premiums and a 0.62% national share. Its parent, The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), also writes commercial insurance and employee benefits.

Most of The Hartford's personal auto business runs through the AARP Auto Insurance Program, sold directly to AARP members by phone and online (see The AARP auto insurance program from The Hartford). AARP does not underwrite the coverage; The Hartford issues and administers the policies. The company also has a separate customer service line for non-AARP auto customers and an agency locator for buying through local agents. Christopher J. Swift is chairman and CEO.

History

The Hartford began in 1810 in Hartford, Connecticut, as a fire insurance company; its first president was Nathaniel Terry. Fifteen years later it wrote the first insurance policy for an institution of higher education, Yale University. In 1861 it insured president-elect Abraham Lincoln's home in Illinois, and it paid claims after the 1871 Chicago fire and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

In 1984 The Hartford became the exclusive provider of home and auto insurance for AARP members, a partnership that still defines its consumer business. The policies are underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates. The parent company, long known as The Hartford Financial Services Group, now operates as The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc.

Auto insurance coverage

The Hartford's auto policies include liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments or personal injury protection where required. Benefits designed around older drivers set it apart:

• RecoverCare helps pay for home services such as house cleaning if you are injured in a crash and cannot do them yourself.
• New car replacement pays for a new car of the same make and model, without depreciation, if a new car is totaled.
• Lifetime car repair assurance guarantees the workmanship on repairs at any of about 1,600 authorized shops The Hartford recommends.
• Disappearing Deductible reduces the collision deductible over time for drivers with clean records.
• Accident forgiveness excuses the first accident when all drivers on the policy have been accident-free with The Hartford for five straight years.

AARP program customers also have access to 24/7 nationwide roadside assistance through RESCUE 1-800.

Discounts and programs

AARP members can save up to 10% for their membership. Other discounts listed by The Hartford include 8% for starting a quote online, up to 10% for paying on time, 5% for completing an approved defensive driving course (see mature driver course discounts), up to 10% for five years of clean driving, paid-in-full savings, a discount for hybrid or electric vehicles, a young-driver training discount (under 21, or under 25 in Georgia), and savings for anti-lock brakes and anti-theft devices.

TrueLane is The Hartford's telematics app. Drivers who enroll within 60 days of their policy start get up to 15% off, and safe driving can earn up to 40% at renewal. The Hartford warns that riskier driving habits can raise the premium.

Claims

Claims can be filed online with or without logging in, in The Hartford's app, or by phone 24/7: AARP customers call 877-805-9918 and non-AARP customers 800-243-5860. Glass-only claims go to 800-892-8484. Policyholders can track claims and payments online and use The Hartford's repair-shop and glass-shop locators.

In the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, The Hartford scored 716, tied with State Farm for 8th of 20 insurers and above the study average of 700.

Ratings and reputation

AM Best affirmed Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its pooled affiliates at A+ (Superior) with a stable outlook in July 2026, after upgrading their issuer credit rating in July 2025. AM Best assesses the group's balance sheet as strongest and its operating performance as strong.

Overall satisfaction scores are mixed. In the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, The Hartford ranked 4th of 13 in the Southwest (636), but placed 12th of 14 in Florida (613), 12th of 14 in the Mid-Atlantic (608) and tied for 8th of 10 in the Northwest (602), below the regional average in all three.

Who it suits

The Hartford suits AARP members who value features aimed at later life, such as RecoverCare, accident forgiveness and new car replacement, and who are comfortable buying by phone or online. Younger drivers who are not AARP members can still buy coverage, but lose the membership discount and the program's focus.

• Strengths: A+ (Superior) financial strength; above-average 2025 claims satisfaction; RecoverCare, lifetime repair assurance and new car replacement; TrueLane telematics discount of up to 40% at renewal.
• Weaknesses: Best value is tied to AARP membership; below-average 2026 J.D. Power scores in Florida, the Mid-Atlantic and the Northwest; not available in every state, and Hawaii is not offered in its online quote tool.

How to contact The Hartford