Should you be looking at The Hartford for either car or home insurance, you should realise that the range of insurance they offer can be quite varied according to where you live, what you want to have insured and whether or not you are eligible for their AARP insurance scheme.
The Hartford offers a range of insurance products including those for cars, homeowners, renters, condos, and other types of insurance, and many of its personal insurance products are available via the AARP Insurance Program organised by The Hartford. The company is well known for its long-standing association with AARP, which gives eligible members access to certain insurance benefits and discounts.
Yet discounts are only one aspect of the decision; the more important issue is whether the coverage, the policy features, the price and the eligibility requirements are appropriate for your particular situation.
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What is Hartford Insurance?
The Hartford is an insurance company in the United States which provides a variety of insurance products, such as those for cars and for property. The AARP Auto and Home Insurance Program, which is aimed at eligible AARP members, has been available from The Hartford since 1984.
The importance of the AARP connection is that certain of the benefits, discounts and special features advertised by The Hartford are available only for the AARP scheme and do not automatically apply to all policyholders.
Eligibility, the range of coverage, discount possibilities and availability will differ from state to state, and The Hartford also states that it does not take on new business in all areas, such as in California and Florida for certain AARP insurance products.
The Hartford Auto Insurance Coverage
The types of protection usually linked with car insurance, for example liability, collision and comprehensive coverage, can be included in the Hartford’s auto insurance policies.
Liability insurance will pay for any injuries or damage to property that you cause to other people when you are legally at fault in an accident.
Collision coverage will pay for the repair or replacement of your vehicle following a covered collision, provided that you meet your deductible.
General comprehensive coverage protects against damage of the type that is not the result of a collision, for example damage due to certain thefts, weather or other non-collision events.
The kind of coverage you can get and the limits you are able to choose will vary according to your state and the particular policy.
The Hartford also provides a number of features as part of its AARP Auto Insurance program; these may consist of accident forgiveness, new car replacement, RecoverCare and a disappearing deductible, subject to eligibility and availability in each state.
For instance, RecoverCare is able to pay for some household services when a person who is insured suffers a covered accident and is therefore unable to carry out these tasks. The extent to which this is available and the level of benefits differ from state to state.
A practical example
If your car is damaged in an insured accident and repairs are needed, collision coverage could help pay for the damage after you’ve met your deductible. However, if you are also eligible for a feature known as accident forgiveness, the impact of the accident on your insurance rates will depend on the terms of your policy and the rules of the state.
Which is why one should consider the price stated in the headline when comparing different policies.
The Hartford Home Insurance Coverage
The home insurance provided by Hartford can be used to protect your home, your personal possessions, and your liability, but only under the terms of the policy regarding the causes of loss it covers, its exclusions, limits and deductibles.
Home insurance may also offer liability coverage. For instance, The Hartford states that personal liability coverage can help to protect you in the event that someone who is not a member of your household is injured and you are legally responsible. Coverage for medical expenses can assist with certain medical costs for a person who is injured on your property, up to the limit set out in the policy.
The AARP Homeowners Insurance scheme offered by The Hartford also includes various options such as coverage for condominiums, renters, rental properties, watercraft, scheduled personal property, earthquake risks and homes used as businesses, although availability and eligibility will differ from state to state.
Flood insurance has to be considered on its own. The Hartford’s AARP scheme points out that flood insurance is obtained via a federally sponsored scheme rather than being taken for granted as part of a standard homeowners policy.
What discount does The Hartford provide?
There are various methods through which one can reduce the cost of insurance with the Hartford, even though not all the discounts are available to all customers.
For AARP members the possible savings may come from an AARP membership discount, safe-driving rewards, online quoting, the vehicle’s safety features, paying the full amount and taking out several policies. The specific discount and the eligibility conditions will vary according to the policy and the state.
With regard to home insurance, the possible savings consist of combining auto and home insurance, fitting qualifying fire protection equipment and applying specific home security systems; The Hartford also states that staying claim-free can help in keeping home insurance costs low, provided that the relevant rules apply.
Bundling auto and home insurance
Bundling means purchasing multiple insurance policies from the same insurer.
The Hartford currently advertises potential savings of up to 12% on auto insurance and up to 20% on home, condo or renters insurance for qualifying AARP program customers who bundle their policies. The company also publishes average savings figures, but notes that individual savings vary.
Those percentages should not be treated as a guaranteed price reduction. Your location, driving record, property, coverage selections and other rating factors can affect the final premium.
AARP Benefits and Eligibility
One of the most distinctive aspects of The Hartford’s personal insurance business is its relationship with AARP.
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is designed for AARP members who meet the program’s eligibility requirements. The Hartford states that AARP membership is required for its AARP Auto and Home Insurance program, along with applicable age and other requirements.
This can make The Hartford particularly relevant to older drivers and homeowners who qualify for the program, but it does not automatically mean the company will be the lowest-priced option.
If you’re eligible, compare the complete policy rather than looking only at a membership discount.
The Hartford’s Safe-Driving and Driver Discounts
Safe driving can provide another opportunity for eligible customers to save.
The Hartford lists discounts and programs involving clean driving records, defensive driving courses, vehicle safety features and its TrueLane program. For example, qualifying AARP members may receive a defensive-driving discount after completing an approved course.
TrueLane is a telematics service which calculates possible savings according to a driver’s behaviour, the size of any discount depending on the terms of the program and on the driver’s performance.
Before you decide to enter a telematics program, you should find out what driving data is gathered and see how it might influence your premium.
Benefits That May Be Worth Considering
While price is a consideration, some aspects of the policy can be more important when things actually go wrong.
The Hartford advertises features such as:
- Accident forgiveness may prevent eligible drivers from having to face certain premium consequences after an accident, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements and are subject to the rules that vary by state.
- For valid coverage The Hartford states that it will replace a totaled new car with a new car of the same make, model and equipment, without deducting for depreciation.
- RecoverCare provides assistance with some domestic services after suffering a qualifying injury as a result of an accident.
- A qualifying collision deductible can be reduced over time for eligible safe drivers, provided that the policy terms allow it.
- Bundling: You can get a discount if you combine eligible policies.
These features aren’t available in all areas; for instance, The Hartford says that its Accident Forgiveness and Disappearing Deductible options are not available to customers in California.
What Factors Can Influence Your Hartford Insurance Rate?
There is not a single Hartford insurance price that applies to all people.
When getting auto insurance, the factors taken into account can be your driving record and insurance history, the drivers who are named on the policy, the way you use your vehicle, your location, the features of the vehicle and other rating details. The Hartford also names your credit score as one of the factors which may be considered in such cases.
The amount you pay for home insurance can vary according to things like the location of the property, its method of construction and the cost of replacing it, the type of coverage chosen, the deductible, the policyholder’s claims history and the discounts to which they are entitled.
So two people who have similar cars or homes can get very different quotes.
Is Hartford a good choice?
For a person who prizes the insurance options, the discounts and the policy features on offer, the Hartford plan makes sense—especially if they are an eligible member of AARP who can take advantage of the programme’s benefits.
There is no single answer as to whether it is the right insurance company for you.
The most useful comparison is between policies with similar liability limits, deductibles, optional coverages and exclusions. A lower quote is not necessarily a better deal if it provides significantly less protection.
For example, comparing a $1,000 deductible policy with a $500 deductible policy based only on the premium can give you a misleading impression of which option is cheaper overall. The lower premium may come with a larger amount you would have to pay yourself after a covered claim.
Pros and Cons to Consider
Possible advantages
- AARP members may have entry to specialized discounts and benefits.
- There are multiple potential auto insurance discounts.
- Home and auto bundling may reduce premiums for eligible customers.
- Certain policies offer additional features such as RecoverCare and new car replacement.
- Coverage can be customized based on individual insurance needs.
Likely drawbacks
- AARP program benefits require eligibility.
- Availability differs by state.
- Not every advertised feature is available to every policyholder.
- Discounts do not guarantee that the final premium will be lower than another insurer’s quote.
- Some optional benefits have particular eligibility requirements, limits or exclusions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Hartford only for AARP members?
No. The Hartford offers insurance products outside the AARP program. However, many of the personal auto and home benefits discussed in connection with The Hartford are specifically associated with its AARP Insurance Program. AARP membership and other eligibility requirements apply to that program.
Does The Hartford offer home and auto insurance?
Yes. The Hartford offers auto and home insurance, along with related property insurance products. Eligible customers may also be able to bundle qualifying policies.
Does The Hartford have insurance discounts?
Yes. Depending on the policy and state, discounts can include bundling, safe driving, qualifying safety features, defensive driving, paying in full and other programs. AARP members may also qualify for membership-related savings.
Is The Hartford available in every state?
No. Insurance availability and specific coverage options vary by state. The Hartford states that it does not write new business in all areas, including California and Florida for certain AARP products.
Does The Hartford offer flood insurance?
The AARP Home and Auto Insurance Program notes that flood insurance is available through a federally sponsored program. Standard homeowners insurance should not be assumed to cover flood damage.
The Bottom Line
The Hartford is worth considering if its coverage options, discounts and policy features fit your needs—especially if you qualify for the AARP insurance program.
The key is to compare the full policy, not just the advertised discount. Check liability limits, deductibles, exclusions, optional benefits and the final premium for your location. Because insurance rules, availability and pricing vary by state and individual circumstances, the quote you receive is ultimately more useful than a general national price estimate.
