We give The Hartford auto insurance a rating of 8.2 out of 10 for its variety of discounted insurance coverage options for AARP members aged 50 and above
Discover if you are overpaying for car insurance below.
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We give The Hartford auto insurance a rating of 8.2 out of 10 for its variety of discounted insurance coverage options for AARP members aged 50 and above
Discover if you are overpaying for car insurance below.
Key Takeaways:
Based in Hartford, Conn., The Hartford began in 1810 as a fire insurance company, and today, it offers a range of insurance products for vehicles, homes and businesses. The Hartford operates in most states in the country, but not everyone is eligible for its car insurance. The company only sells new policies to drivers 50 or older who hold AARP membership.
In our comprehensive Hartford insurance review, we at the MarketWatch Guides team break down the company’s cost, coverage and customer satisfaction. We’ll also cover who The Hartford might be best for and compare it to other providers that ranked well in our study of the best car insurance companies.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
Our editorial team gives The Hartford a score of 8.2 out of 10 and recognizes it as a solid option for older drivers with an AARP membership. While the insurance provider has a wide range of coverage options, its policies are expensive compared to national averages, and it has mixed customer reviews.
Below are the pros and cons of getting insurance from The Hartford:
The company’s overall insurance rating in our review is aggregated from The Hartford’s performance across five critical areas in our methodology — reputation, availability, coverage, cost and customer experience. In the table below is a breakdown of The Hartford’s scores in each of these categories, alongside averages from all providers in our 2024 auto insurance study.
The Hartford has a good variety of insurance coverage options, add-on products and helpful discounts. However, it’s only available to AARP members, and our research shows other companies may offer cheaper rates. We recommend comparing car insurance quotes when you shop to find the right coverage for a price that fits your needs.
Below you can compare ratings for The Hartford insurance from reputable rating agencies:
Below, you can compare The Hartford insurance to other major competitors:
Comparison | The Hartford Insurance Rating vs. Competitor’s | The Bottom Line |
---|---|---|
The Hartford Insurance vs Progressive | 8.2 vs 9 | Progressive has overall better customer service and coverage options than The Hartford. |
The Hartford Insurance vs Allstate | 8.2 vs 8.8 | While costs can be comparable, Allstate is available to more drivers and has better coverage options. |
The Hartford Insurance vs Geico | 8.2 vs 9.1 | Overall, costs are lower with Geico than The Hartford, particularly for young drivers. |
The Hartford Insurance vs State Farm | 8.2 vs 9.4 | State Farm is more widely available and has stronger customer service. |
The Hartford Insurance vs USAA | 8.2 vs 9.2 | While both options serve select groups, USAA is the best and cheapest option if you’re a service member over 50. |
The Hartford Insurance vs Travelers | 8.2 vs 9.5 | Travelers beats The Hartford in cost, coverage, availability and customer service. |
The Hartford Insurance vs Nationwide | 8.2 vs 9.1 | Nationwide is a cheaper option for car insurance than The Hartford for all age groups. |
According to our rate estimates, 55-year-old drivers with good driving records pay close to $2,129 per year or $177 per month on average for insurance from The Hartford. This is about 20% more expensive than the national average of roughly $1,767 per year or $147 per month for this age group.
As with most other car insurance companies, the auto insurance quote you receive from The Hartford may depend on several factors, like your age, location and credit and driving history. If you have a bad driving record, your insurance premium will also be more expensive. In most states, if you have poor credit, you’ll likely pay more for insurance.
Here’s a look at how the company compares to other leading providers for drivers 55 years of age:
Car Insurance Company | Average Monthly Estimate | Average Annual Estimate |
---|---|---|
Nationwide | $102 | $1,229 |
Erie Insurance | $105 | $1,258 |
Travelers | $112 | $1,346 |
USAA | $112 | $1,347 |
Geico | $121 | $1,457 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $122 | $1,469 |
State Farm | $128 | $1,534 |
American Family Insurance | $138 | $1,651 |
Progressive | $140 | $1,679 |
The Hartford | $177 | $2,129 |
Allstate | $196 | $2,349 |
According to our rate data, the average national cost of full-coverage car insurance in 2023 was $7,581 a year. The Hartford is one of the more expensive providers for teenage drivers. The table below shows how average rates from The Hartford change depending on the driver’s age:
Age | The Hartford Average Monthly Cost | The Hartford Average Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
16 | $1,149 | $13,785 |
17* | $718 | $8,614 |
18* | $569 | $6,827 |
19* | $481 | $5,776 |
Car insurance can be cheaper for young adults if they stay under a family plan than if they purchased their own. In 2022, the national average annual full-coverage rates were $2,786 for 21-year-olds, and $2,019 for 25-year-olds, according to our research. See The Hartford’s rates below:
Age | The Hartford Average Monthly Cost | The Hartford Average Annual Cost |
---|---|---|
21* | $429 | $5,148 |
25 | $300 | $3,596 |
The Hartford offers full-coverage policies for higher rates than the national average. Below you can compare pricing:
Age | The Hartford Average Monthly Cost | The Hartford Average Annual Cost | National Average Annual Cost |
---|---|---|---|
35 | $226 | $2,715 | $2,008 |
45 | $194 | $2,333 | $1,923 |
55 | $177 | $2,129 | $1,767 |
Even though The Hartford specializes in offering car insurance for AARP members, it doesn’t offer cheap auto insurance for seniors. Compare rates below:
Age | The Hartford Average Monthly Cost | The Hartford Average Annual Cost | National Average Annual Cost |
---|---|---|---|
65* | $173 | $2,076 | $1,647 |
75* | $219 | $2,630 | $1,911 |
The Hartford’s average rates for a driver double when that driver gets into an accident. These estimates are based on the average rate The Hartford charges a 35-year-old with a clean driving record, which costs $2,715 per year for full coverage, according to our rate data.
Type of Violation | The Hartford Average Annual Cost | The Hartford Average Rate Increase |
---|---|---|
Speeding | $3,595 | 32% |
DUI | $4,126 | 52% |
One at-fault accident | $4,095 | 51% |
The Hartford offers several car insurance discounts to help drivers save money, one of the most notable being a discount of up to 10% for being an AARP member. However, this doesn’t apply to children or grandchildren you add to a policy. See some of its discount offerings below:
Car Insurance Discount | Details |
---|---|
AARP discount | AARP members save up to 10%. |
Bundle discount | Drivers save 5% on auto policies and 20% on home, condo or renters policies when combined. |
Paid-in-full discount | Drivers save by paying a policy in full. |
Online quote discount | Save by getting a quote online. |
TrueLane® By The Hartford discount | This usage-based insurance program could save policyholders up to 25% for safe driving. |
Safety features discount | Save money for having safety features such as airbags. |
Vehicle fuel type discount | Get a discount for driving a hybrid or electric vehicle. |
Driver training discount | Young drivers get a discount for finishing an approved training course. |
Defensive driver course discount | Drivers who complete a defensive driving course can get a discount for the next three years. |
Read more: How to save money on car insurance
TrueLane® By The Hartford is a telematics insurance program that rewards safe driving habits with discounts. The mobile app tracks speed, cornering, acceleration, braking and phone distraction. By signing up, you can get an immediate discount of 12%. Depending on how you drive, you could save up to 25% when you renew.
Read more: Best car insurance apps
The Hartford offers many ways to get a quote. You can contact a Hartford insurance agent or an independent auto insurance agency, call the company directly or get a quote online.
To get a quote online, you’ll need to provide these details:
Many factors affect the rates you pay for car insurance with The Hartford. Here are the main things the provider may look at when determining your car insurance premium, depending on your state of residence:
Since it operates in most states, The Hartford offers a wide variety of coverage options. Standard options that may be available to you depending on your state include:
Most states require liability coverage, and some also require underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection. Full-coverage policies include collision and comprehensive coverage.
The Hartford also offers a number of add-ons for drivers to choose from. These include:
It’s good to note that accident forgiveness and the disappearing deductible aren’t available to policyholders in California. You may want to speak to a representative from The Hartford to better understand any additional coverage limitations in your state.
Most insurance claims can be filed online easily through your The Hartford account on its website. However, if you’d like to call a customer service agent, its website lists phone numbers for different departments.
Unfortunately, you’ll be hard-pressed to find customer reviews for The Hartford outside of its own website due to its limited availability. In this section, we’ll look at satisfaction studies from J.D. Power and a few reviews from customers on the BBB.
On the BBB, The Hartford has a customer review score of 1.1 out of 5. Unfortunately, there are no positive reviews for The Hartford on the BBB. Some reviewers mention issues with billing and miscommunication. Others mention high prices compared to other options.
However, there are only about 230 reviews of The Hartford through the BBB. Considering the company operates in most states, only a small fraction of total customers have reviewed the company on the BBB. Our team reached out to The Hartford for a comment on its negative reviews but did not receive a response.
Only a few reviews on the BBB mention The Hartford’s insurance claims service specifically. But in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠, most customers reported having positive claims experiences. The Hartford scored 877 out of 1,000 points, which put it just four points below the industry average.
The Hartford Auto & Home is a mobile app that allows policyholders to pay bills, view ID cards, report claims, call roadside assistance and more. The app has a 2.6-star rating out of 5 on Google Play and a 3.7-star rating out of 5 on the App Store.
In addition to policies for vehicles, The Hartford offers the following insurance options:
Below, we’ll detail each of The Hartford’s offerings, its coverage and whether its policies are worth purchasing.
The AARP® Homeowners Insurance Program from The Hartford provides coverage for your home in the event of a disaster or accident. You can get a home insurance quote for several different types of home insurance, including the following:
Additional insurance for flooding and earthquakes is also available for more protection for your household.
According to quote data from Quadrant Information Services, the provider’s home insurance policy costs around $2,495 for $300,000 of dwelling coverage. You can also get additional discounts for bundling home and auto insurance policies and having select security devices within your home. However, depending on the coverage you select, your location, credit rating and the details of your home, quotes may vary.
With The Hartford you can enjoy some of these discounts:
Discount | Discount details |
---|---|
Home security system | If you install home security systems like cameras and alarms, you may be eligible for discounts. |
Retiree credits | If you work less than 24 hours a week, you can save extra on your home policy (varies by state). |
Fire protection | If you install fire protection items such as sprinklers, you can receive a discount. |
Auto and home insurance bundle | You can save up to 20% on your home, renters, or condo insurance policy if you bundle with auto. |
Claims free | The longer you have no claims, the less you’ll pay. |
Read more: How to save money on homeowners insurance
Overall, you can expect homeowners insurance from The Hartford to be legitimate and have good service. The company has an A+ rating with the BBB and has been offering home insurance for more than 35 years. So, if you’re an AARP member and want a policy for your home, it can be a good option.
We recommend comparing home insurance quotes from multiple companies for the best deal. Below you can get quotes with our tool and compare top providers in our linked reviews:
You can also buy coverage from The Hartford for your rental property. These policies include the following:
Every policy also comes with an extra benefit called ProtectorPLUS Zero deductible, which covers up to $5,000 of your deductible in the case of a $27,500 or more claim.
Read more: What is renters insurance?
In addition to standard coverages, you get get these add-on benefits:
Add-on Benefit | Coverage Details |
Replacement cost coverages | Items that are damaged can be completely replaced with a new one under this coverage plan. |
Valuables blanket coverage | If you would like to insure specific valuables, you can up to a specific limit. |
Personal injury liability | This helps protect you against libel and slander in the case of accusations and charges. |
Earthquake policy | Provides payments for damage to possessions in an earthquake for select states. |
Water backup | In the case of water or sump pump overflow, you can get coverage with this add-on. |
Overall, we find that coverage from The Hartford is quite standard and you’ll be able to find providers with more options. Below you can start comparing rental insurance quotes and top providers:
In addition to offering homeowners and renters insurance, The Hartford has specialized coverages available for your motorhome. Coverage is standard and includes some parts of auto and home insurance, like:
The Hartford RV insurance doesn’t offer additional options. We recommend comparing multiple RV insurance companies and quotes to get the best deal.
You can get started below with some of our recommendations and our RV insurance cost comparison tool:
Currently The Hartford doesn’t offer personal life insurance policies anymore, since it sold this subdivision in 2012 to Prudential. Policies purchased before this point are still active and would be managed by Prudential. However, you can work with the company to offer a voluntary life insurance benefit for businesses through supplemental life insurance.
If you’re currently looking for a life insurance policy, we recommend comparing multiple life insurance companies to find the best coverage for your situation. Below we’ve provided some of our top picks for you to get started:
The Hartford offers extensive coverage options for business to protect you from commercial property damage, legal liability, and employee related risks. Most small businesses can find what they need with its Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) plan that includes general liability, property and income coverages. See all of its options:
Business Insurance Type | Coverage Details |
---|---|
General liability insurance | Protects your business from legal fees and damages associated with negligence, bodily injury and more. |
Workers compensation | Covers you for work related injuries and costs associated with them like medical expenses, lost wages and rehabilitation. |
Income insurance | If your business’s operations are interrupted for any reason, you’ll be provided coverage for lost income. |
Commercial auto insurance | You can purchase coverage specifically for business vehicles. |
Commercial umbrella insurance | If your liability insurance doesn’t cover legal fees, this covers whatever exceeds its limits. |
Data breach insurance | In the case of cyber attacks and breaches of online information, you’ll be protected from expenses. |
Employment practices liability insurance | This is coverage for issues such as claims of wrongful termination, workplace harassment and discrimination. |
Home-based business insurance | If you run a business from home, this plan insures you in case of property damage or a lawsuit. |
Inland marine insurance | This plan insures you for damages caused during transport of goods from port to business locations |
Commercial flood insurance | If your business’s property is damaged in a flood, this can help cover losses. |
Management liability insurance | This protects the management team from losses incurred from managing the company. |
Multinational insurance | This is essentially basic business coverage, but for larger corporations that have locations outside the U.S. |
Professional liability insurance | If you’re found negligent in providing professional services, this plan covers your business. |
You can also get hired services from the company for risk assessment/management and productivity support. There is also the option to purchase a surety bond, which guarantees that your customers will be paid if they don’t receive the service they purchased from you. If you need to show proof of insurance, a certificate of insurance can be requested at any time.
As an addition to your property insurance coverage, you can purchase flood insurance from the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) through The Hartford. This covers damages from flooding that spans two or more acres, though some terms may vary. However, whether this coverage is necessary for you depends on many factors, so we’ve made a guide to help you decide that is linked below.
Read more: Do you need flood insurance?
We’ve covered The Hartford’s insurance coverage, policy rates, industry reputation and customer reviews, finding that it’s a solid choice for AARP members. If you’re over 50, you may find affordable rates from The Hartford depending on your situation. However, it’s also a good idea to compare car insurance rates from other providers to find the best deal for your needs and budget.
Below are frequently asked questions about The Hartford auto insurance:
The Hartford is a solid car insurance company, as our review team gave it a rating of 8.2 out of 10 points for its variety of discounts and coverage options for drivers over 50. It also has high ratings from industry rating orgs like the BBB and AM Best. However, according to customer reviews, the company has mixed reception, so we recommend comparing other options before choosing an insurance provider.
The Hartford has an A+ rating from the BBB and an A+ AM Best rating for financial strength. Our research team rates The Hartford auto insurance 8.2 out of 10.0 overall, because it isn’t available to everyone and offers rates slightly above average.
When it comes to claims satisfaction, the company ranks well overall. Currently, the company has more complaints about its services than other companies its size, according to the NAIC. J.D. Power also found that the company has 877 points out of 1,000 for claims satisfaction, which is just below the average score of 878.
The Hartford is an insurance company that initially started as a fire insurance company and is now the 13th largest property and casualty insurance company in the United States according to the NAIC. The company partners with AARP to provide exclusive insurance options for auto, home, renters, flood, business and RV coverage. Policies are only available for those who are 50 years and older and are AARP members or affiliated with an AARP member.
The Hartford is owned by multiple different people as it is a publicly traded company on the stock market exchange. However, the majority ownership of the company is held by Vanguard and Blackrock corporations.
To have auto or home insurance from The Hartford, you have to either be a member of AARP or be on a Hartford policy with an AARP member. The company has offered insurance exclusively to AARP members since 1984 and doesn’t offer policies to other demographics.
To cancel a policy, you must call The Hartford’s customer representatives and have your policy number along with the date you want to end coverage. You’ll most likely be asked to send a confirmation in writing. Once a policy is canceled, you may receive a full refund if it hasn’t been long since the policy opened, or a prorated refund.
Overall, if your small or larger business needs insurance coverage from The Hartford, you’ll be satisfied with the amount of coverage options available to you. The insurance company also offers many specialized services to help you manage risk within your organization and have it run more efficiently. The only drawback is that you can’t get a quote online and must speak with a representative to get a policy.
The Hartford started off as a property and casualty insurer and currently has good coverage options. However, if you’re looking for cheap homeowners insurance, you’ll find better pricing elsewhere.
No, AARP does not own The Hartford, but rather partners with the insurance company to offer exclusive coverage and benefits.
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
Our credentials:
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.