The Hartford Auto Insurance Review: Is It Right for You?

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. has been around since 1810 and is one of the oldest auto insurers in the U.S. First offering car insurance in 1913, the company has since fostered a reputation for its financial stability and high customer satisfaction.

The Hartford is a great option for drivers needing complex and full-coverage car insurance policies. You can find all of the most-loved coverage options and add-ons from The Hartford, including accident forgiveness, new-car replacement, and gap coverage.

That said, the company’s claims handling can be lacking. And, despite lower average rates, several customer reviews talk about switching to a competitor and saving money — sometimes a lot of it.

Is The Hartford a Good Choice for Car Insurance?

Here’s how The Hartford fares across five key categories:

The Hartford tends to be a great fit for customers who need full-coverage car insurance policies. The company is reliable, offers plenty of policy options, and is particularly suited for older drivers due to its partnership with AARP.

Of course, you’ll never know which is the best car insurance company for you without getting a personalized quote (and comparing it to competitors). But online quoting with The Hartford wasn’t easy, and I found several Hartford Insurance reviews discussing a tenuous underwriting process.

Where The Hartford stands out

You’ll find a lot of policy options with The Hartford, and you can work with a local agent to ensure you have all the coverage you need. Plus, customers give high marks to their local agents.

Where The Hartford falls short

The Hartford lags behind industry averages when it comes to claims reviews. The company also struggles with price — especially for basic, liability-only policies.

The Hartford Reviews: What Real Customers Are Saying

The Hartford has plenty of strong online customer reviews. I found a lot of reviews specifically naming their local agent, how great they are, and, often, how they saved customers money. Take these two positive reviews of local agents who impressed their clients.

And there were quite a few happy reviews from customers taking advantage of the AARP discounts on their Hartford policies, as in these reviews.

A notable recurring theme among negative reviews is cancellation fees — sometimes called “expense charges” or “convenience fees” by reviewers. Not all companies charge fees for cancellation — it’s up to each insurer. So, I generally find it a bit questionable when an insurer charges fees to customers that want to switch companies.

As a final note, the frequency of online reviews for The Hartford was pretty low. While the company has a lot of reviews, they span more than a decade of customer experiences. So, it was a little hard to get an accurate read on how well the company is doing right now.

For example, the last positive review on ConsumerAffairs was from 2018. On Trustpilot, the most recent five-star review was from 2019. Seeing as The Hartford partners with AARP, this dearth of reviews may be due to a generally older customer base who’re less likely to make an online review. But this is just a guess, and there’s no way for me to verify it.

What You Can Expect to Pay for Car Insurance from The Hartford

The average rates for Hartford policies are cheaper than the national average.

At $75 per month, Hartford’s liability-only policies are actually much cheaper than the national average of $129 for liability car insurance (savings of more than $600 per year). And full-coverage policies are nearly half the national average of $302 per month (an annual savings of more than $1,740).

But “average costs” are a flimsy foundation for understanding what you can expect to pay at The Hartford. There are just too many factors that influence your rate. That’s why it’s so important to compare car insurance policies from multiple top competitors.

In the following sections, we’ll analyze how costs at The Hartford compare to both its competitors and the national average. We’ll also break down costs by factors like driver age, driving history, and credit scope to help you get a better understanding of the types of drivers The Hartford tends to favor.

How do The Hartford’s rates stack up?

The average Hartford customer spends $116 per month on car insurance, which makes the company fairly affordable. But these averages don’t account for all driver profiles. Your age, driving history, credit score, marital status, and many other factors influence the rate you’re offered — and every auto insurance company will treat those factors differently.

This variability is why it’s so important to check rates and compare policies from multiple car insurance companies before you make a decision. What’s generally the cheapest for the average driver could be the most expensive option for you (and vice versa). You won’t know until you quote.

The Hartford vs. top competitors

We’ve compiled the average rates of The Hartford’s closest competitors to give you a clearer understanding of how its rates compare to other top companies.

The Hartford tends to charge lower (but not the lowest) rates than its competitors, according to Compare.com data. This is true for both liability-only and full-coverage policies.

Erie and Auto-Owners offer the lowest rates of the companies mentioned — but keep in mind that these are still national averages. Your actual rates will be different from the ones above — many times by a significant amount. Plus, it’s worth keeping in mind that Erie, Amica, and Auto-Owners all have limited availability. Erie, for example, is only available in 12 states, while Auto-Owners operates in 26. Still, none of the three operate nationwide like The Hartford.

The company offers comprehensive insurance policies with a wide range of features, plus great customer service. So, when comparing quotes, take a close look at the specifics of the policies. Evaluate how each policy’s coverage limits, deductibles, and exclusions meet your needs. You’ll also want to compare how each insurer’s customer service, claims handling, and financial stability meet your expectations.

What Types of Car Coverage Does The Hartford Offer?

The Hartford offers a fairly substantial range of auto insurance coverage options to ensure you’re fully protected. According to the company website, you can purchase the following available coverages:

• Bodily injury liability: Pays for the other party’s injuries when you’re at fault in an accident.
• Property damage liability: Pays for damage caused to someone else’s property after an at-fault collision.
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage to your vehicle caused by incidents other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters (exclusions apply).
• Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your vehicle caused by a collision with another vehicle or object, regardless of fault.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection: Helps protect you if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or insufficient coverage to fully compensate you for your injuries or damages.
• New car replacement: Covers the cost of replacing a totaled “new” car with a brand-new vehicle of the same make, model, and equipment without any deductions for depreciation.
• Gap insurance: Pays the difference between your car’s actual cash value (ACV) and the loan amount if your vehicle is stolen or declared a total loss.
• Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay): Pays for your medical bills up to coverage limits, no matter who’s at fault in an accident.
• RecoverCare: Helps pay for essential home services like house cleaning if you’re injured in a car accident and unable to manage them yourself.
• Lifetime car repair assurance: Provides access to The Hartford’s network of 1,600 authorized repair shops — plus, the company guarantees the quality of all repairs.
• Disappearing deductible: Your collision deductible decreases every year you maintain a clean driving record.
• Accident forgiveness: Your premium won’t go up after an accident, provided all drivers on your car insurance policy have a clean driving record and remain accident-free for five consecutive years.

You can also customize your deductibles for many of the policy options.

The Hartford Car Insurance Discounts

The Hartford advertises seven discounts, which puts them about average (or a little under) compared to the competition. But even though it’s not a huge selection, they’re still useful and can go a long way in reducing your overall costs. Let’s go over each.

• Bundling: Discount for buying multiple insurance products. Get it by purchasing auto insurance and a home, condo, or renters policy (up to 5% off auto and 20% off dwelling).
• Car safety features: Discount for safety features installed in your car. Get it for anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, and multiple airbags.
• Defensive driver course: Discount for completing an approved defensive driver course. Must be 21 or older to qualify.
• Online quote: Discount for getting your quote online. Fill out the online form and receive your quote to qualify.
• Paid-in-full: Discount for paying all at once instead of in installments. Choose pay-in-full as your payment method and pay the entire six-month policy up front.
• Safe driver training: Discount for completing an approved driver training course. Must be under 21 to qualify (25 in Georgia).
• Vehicle fuel type: Discount for environmentally friendly vehicles. Insure a hybrid or electric vehicle to qualify.

There’s also an additional 10% savings for AARP members. (We’ll go over the AARP Auto Insurance Program a bit further down).

Discount opportunities and the benefit of each discount vary based on where you live. Get a quote or speak with an agent to see your eligible discounts.

The Hartford’s Average by Age Group

Car insurance quotes from The Hartford tend to be lower than national averages for drivers of all ages, particularly for full-coverage policies. You can see how rates vary by age group in the table below:

Auto insurance rates are generally highest for younger drivers. Costs decrease as you get older — particularly in your mid-20s and 30s — as older drivers statistically cause fewer car accidents. Rates typically start going up again sometime in your late-60s or 70s due to factors like decreased reaction time and longer recovery time from injuries.

But keep in mind that rates only go down so long as you maintain a clean record. Your driving history, previous claims, and other personal factors play a significant role in determining how car insurance rates change with age.

Teens and young drivers

The average cost for teen car insurance from The Hartford is $207 per month for liability insurance and $551 for full coverage. That’s quite a bit lower than the national average of $297 for liability-only and $676 for full coverage.

As with most car insurance companies, those rates decrease sharply around ages 20 or 21 and steadily decline a little more slowly after that. Average rates for 25-year-olds are less than half the cost for teens.

Rates for 25-year-olds are also lower than the national average. Compare The Hartford’s rates to the national average of $109 and $266 per month for liability and full coverage, respectively, and you can see that The Hartford can be a great deal — especially for young drivers looking for full-coverage policies.

Seniors and retirees

Car insurance rates tend to stabilize once you reach age 40 due to increased driving experience and a lower likelihood of risky behavior. This age group is often seen as less prone to accidents, leading to more stable car insurance premiums.

Rates for 40-year-olds at The Hartford are cheaper than average, at $77 per month for liability and $164 for full coverage. National average rates are $97 and $232, meaning full-coverage policyholders may be able to save a lot of money on car insurance with The Hartford.

Seniors pay the lowest overall rates of any Hartford policyholders. Rates for seniors are right in line with the national average for full-coverage policies, at $151 per month. Liability policies are higher than average, at $70 per month (compared to the national average of $97).

Seniors with an AARP membership also have the chance to earn additional savings and perks with The Hartford.

The Hartford’s Average Rates by Driving Record

Below are the average insurance rates at The Hartford for drivers based on their driving profiles.

Drivers with clean records typically find lower rates for auto insurance coverage, and The Hartford doesn’t disappoint in this regard. Liability rates are more than $20 under the national average ($97 per month), and full-coverage policies are $60 cheaper.

As with most car insurance companies, rates at The Hartford increase for drivers with a history of tickets, accidents, or DUI. Let’s go over rates for those groups more closely.

After an accident

At-fault accidents tend to drive rates up significantly. And those higher rates typically last three to five years (potentially more), depending on the rules in your state. The Hartford offers significantly cheaper full-coverage premiums compared to national averages. But liability-only policies are on par with the national average ($129 per month compared to $132 nationally).

There are several additional ways to save after an accident, such as raising your deductibles. But one of the best ways is to sign up for a telematics program where you’re rewarded for practicing safe driving habits. Hartford’s is called TrueLane, and I go over it in detail later in this article.

After a speeding ticket

Speeding tickets may not seem like that big a deal, but the associated costs add up over time. So it’s still a good idea to compare rates when you have a ticket on your record.

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets are generally cheaper at The Hartford compared to the national average. And that’s, once again, especially true for full-coverage policies.

It’s important to maintain a clean record after getting a speeding ticket. Your rate goes down for each year you go without another ticket or moving violation. Plus, you’ll be eligible for good driver discounts earlier.

So don’t be afraid to ask your local DMV about potential ways to reduce the points on your license, which may lower your auto insurance rate in turn.

After a DUI

Drivers with a history of DUIs have the potential to save quite a bit with The Hartford (and, yet again, especially on full-coverage policies). Liability policies are $59 cheaper per month than the national average of $179. The Hartford beats the $413 national average for full-coverage policies by $150 per month, too.

Of course, these rates are still significantly higher than those for drivers with clean records.

Once again, telematics programs can be highly beneficial here. You should also look into additional discount programs, raising your deductibles, and defensive driving discounts if you want to minimize rate increases after a DUI.

The Hartford’s Average Rates by Credit Score

In most (but not all) states, car insurance rates can be affected by your credit score. Drivers with better credit scores generally receive lower insurance rates, while those with poor credit usually face higher premiums.

Let’s take a look at how credit score affects rates at The Hartford.

The higher rate trend for lower credit scores bears out at The Hartford. Drivers with poor credit were quoted twice the rate of those with excellent credit. Though these costs are high, The Hartford is actually cheaper than average for all policy types and credit tiers.

Overall, The Hartford once again is especially more competitive on full-coverage prices, offering savings of more than $600 per year for all credit scores compared to national average rates.

How to Purchase a Car Insurance Policy from The Hartford

To purchase an auto insurance policy with The Hartford, you’ll start by getting an online quote. The Hartford’s quote form is fairly straightforward but detailed. Expect to spend at least five minutes filling it out, especially if you share your home with people who aren’t on your policy.

You may or may not receive the full quote online, but, in either case, you’ll be directed to an insurance agent to complete your purchase. The Hartford may allow some drivers to purchase their policies online, but it doesn’t appear to be common practice.

I couldn’t generate a quote online when I attempted to get one — and I also noticed a few customer reviews talking about negative experiences getting their quote or policy underwritten.

Anyway, I kicked off the process by entering my ZIP code on The Hartford’s home page.

Next, I was prompted to generate a bundled quote — that’s a multi-line policy that would include auto and dwelling (home, renters, condo) policies. I didn’t want to bundle renters and auto right now, so I chose auto only and continued.

On the next page — which required my personal information (including name and date of birth) — a message popped up encouraging me that the quote process would be fast.

I continued through by entering my personal information — including my address — on the next page.

Then I was asked to enter information about my vehicle — a 2018 Toyota RAV4. I filled out each field and clicked continue.

Next, I was asked to verify which vehicle I wanted to insure on this policy. When I entered my address, other vehicles currently or formerly registered to this address appeared on the form. I found this a bit unsettling.

Once I verified that the RAV4 was the only vehicle on this policy, I entered information about its usage, including my estimated annual mileage.

The next part of the form covered my driving history. Here’s where I entered information about a speeding ticket I received in 2020. There were additional questions on this page, but nothing else pertaining to my driving record.

Finally, I was taken to the quote page. Unfortunately, I wasn’t initially offered a quote from The Hartford. I was instead shown alternative quotes from other companies, including Progressive and AAA. I decided to click on one of those links to see if I was able to get a quote right away or if I had to enter my information all over again.

When I clicked on the Progressive quote, I was asked to re-enter the majority of my personal information, which was disappointing. It would’ve been nice to have better connectivity between the forms on both sites.

I made two more attempts to generate an online quote in different states. First, I tried in Indiana using my parents’ address. I received the same message.

I also noticed that, despite my parents never getting a quote or having a policy with The Hartford, the company had all of their information (plus my youngest sibling’s) — including their names and the makes and models of their cars. This was admittedly a little creepy.

Next, I generated a quote using an old address in Massachusetts but once again could not successfully get a quote online. This was a little more expected, as many auto insurers limit their underwriting in Massachusetts due to specific state regulations. It’s also possible that The Hartford is temporarily limiting its underwriting more broadly, due to a difficult market for many insurance companies across the country.

Had I been able to generate a quote, the quote page should be equipped to allow me to customize my policy’s coverage limits, deductibles, and optional coverages. Still, I can’t confirm exactly how flexible the online tools are.

I can say that when I called the customer service line, I was able to speak with an agent right away. They were knowledgeable and helpful, and if the company was willing to write me a policy, I’m sure the agent could have provided me with the exact customized options I was looking for.

Rating The Hartford’s Customer Service

Customer satisfaction levels are high at The Hartford. The company earns above-average scores in every region, according to the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study — even taking the top spot in the Northwest. When I contacted the customer service and claims service lines, I was able to connect with someone in less than two minutes.

I also found plenty of support for these high customer satisfaction scores in dozens of online reviews.

Take this recent review as an example. The company is described as “compassionate,” and, when a mistake was made, customer service owned the problem and made things right for the policyholder.

I also found this notable review, which stood out because it comes from an insurance industry insider. They claim to work for a competitor but have kept their policy with Hartford, even saying the company is “one of the best.”

But I found several reviews where customers were confused about additional charges and hidden fees. When seeking out answers for these charges, many claimed to have been met with unhelpful and even rude service — as in this review below. The customer was so unhappy, they ended up canceling their policy altogether.

And I think it’s important to revisit a problem I touched on earlier: bringing in new policyholders. The Hartford seems to have potentially strict underwriting rules that have made it difficult for prospective customers to get a policy. A few reviews talk about going through a lengthy quoting process only to be denied coverage in the end — as in this one:

The company could be reining in its risk and reevaluating its liabilities. The insurance market is under considerable strain due to drastic changes in the home insurance world and other outside factors. Many insurers are adjusting how they write policies to account for these changes. This has led to a number of companies drastically scaling back their quest for new policyholders.

Filing a Claim with The Hartford

The Hartford provides a 24/7 car insurance claims hotline. You can also submit auto glass and simple claims online. A few customers found the process easy. Those who were not at fault for the accident seemed to account for most of the positive claims reviews.

Even so, I found several reviews saying the claims process was clear. This reviewer has experience with several of The Hartford’s top competitors and felt claims were handled better than with previous companies.

But the overall theme here is that The Hartford can do better with its claims process. For a few years now, The Hartford has trailed behind its competitors when it comes to claims satisfaction. And the reviews appear to back this up.

The main problem appears to be communication. I found several reviewers who had trouble getting clear communication from their claims adjuster and more than one stating that their claim was closed without notification — as in the review below.

Several other negative reviews mentioned a slow claims process. It’s worth noting that there’s currently a claims adjuster shortage across the U.S. But one reviewer mentioned that even auto glass claims had long wait times.

I found this significant because these claims don’t require adjusters and quickly filling in windshield chips is crucial. The longer you wait, the more likely the windshield will have more significant damage, as driving, inclement weather, and heat fluctuations stress the glass.

As a side note, while reading through claims reviews, I noticed a number of complaints about the claims process for short-term disability (sometimes shortened to STD). If you’re considering adding additional insurance policies to your plan with The Hartford, be sure to look at reviews for each specific product.

More About The Hartford

The Hartford and AARP

The Hartford has a longstanding partnership with AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) that started in 1984. This partnership is aimed at providing insurance products and services specifically tailored to AARP members.

The Hartford’s AARP program offers a range of insurance products, including auto, home, renters, and umbrella insurance. These products come with special features and benefits that cater to AARP members’ specific needs — including RecoverCare, which assists with transportation and home support services following an accident or illness.

AARP members who purchase their insurance products with The Hartford also get discounted rates and, in many cases, extended coverage. To qualify, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set by AARP for membership. Once a member, you can apply for insurance coverage through The Hartford’s AARP program.

Hartford TrueLane

Hartford TrueLane is the company’s signature telematics program. You receive an initial discount on your policy when you first sign up. Then you use the mobile app to allow The Hartford to monitor your driving behavior. It also provides feedback and adjusts your rate based on actual driving habits.

TrueLane offers savings to policyholders who demonstrate responsible driving practices.

The TrueLane mobile app receives good reviews on Google Play and the App Store, where the company earns 4/5 and 4.5/5 stars, respectively. Reviews show that the app is sensitive to recording “driving events” (like hard braking), but you’ll have the option to explain the event within the app.

Features like this appear to be unique in the market (though most apps let you mark when it’s mistaken someone else’s driving for your own, such as when you’re a passenger).

What other types of insurance does The Hartford offer?

The Hartford offers a broad range of insurance products to individuals, businesses, and organizations. In addition to what it’s most well-known for — auto and home insurance — The Hartford provides the following insurance policies:

• Classic car
• RV, ATV, golf cart
• Snowmobile
• Boat
• Renters
• Condo
• Flood
• Umbrella
• Bundle
• Business owner’s policy
• General liability
• Professional liability
• Workers’ compensation
• Commercial auto

Many of these also come with discounts for bundling with home or auto policies. Exactly which products and bundling discounts are available to you depends on your state.

Other products, services, and perks available through The Hartford

The Hartford offers specialized services and packages for employee group benefits, and the company claims a 93% satisfaction rate among its group benefit customers.

Group benefit products include:

• Group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Group disability insurance for short and long-term disability coverage.
• Voluntary benefits planning and administration for adding additional optional benefits to employees (e.g., life insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, and more).
• Absence management strategies, planning, and administration.
• Group retiree health insurance, group medical supplemental coverage to assist retirees with medical costs.
• Value-added services such as identity theft support, travel assistance, counseling services, funeral planning, and estate planning.

The Hartford offers these services to a range of companies, company sizes, and to non-employment entities, such as occupational associations and affinity groups.

The Hartford Auto Insurance FAQs

Despite offering policies since auto insurance practically first existed, The Hartford is less known than some of its competitors. Below are the most frequently asked questions about car insurance with The Hartford.

Does The Hartford have the cheapest car insurance?

The Hartford’s car insurance rates depend on factors like your location, driving history, and coverage needs. While its rates tend to be about average, you may find your best rate at The Hartford (or a lower rate elsewhere).

Can you purchase a policy from The Hartford 100% online?

Yes. You can purchase a policy from The Hartford entirely online and in less than 15 minutes — if you already know your coverage options and limits.

Does The Hartford offer auto and home insurance bundling?

Yes. The Hartford offers bundling options for auto and home insurance, which provides up to 5% off on the auto premium and up to 20% off on your home, renters, or condo premium.

The Hartford good at paying claims?

Yes. The Hartford has a good reputation for paying claims and excellent financial strength. But, as with all insurance companies, there are reviews from customers unhappy with the claims process or outcome. J.D. Power has also ranked the company below average for claims satisfaction.

Is The Hartford hard to deal with?

Not typically. Customer experiences vary, but overall, The Hartford is known for providing excellent customer service and being easy to deal with.

Data Methodology:

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Rating Methodology:

Compare.com’s mission is to help our readers make more informed decisions about their personal finances. Our editorial staff has crafted a proprietary, objective rating formula — the Compare.com Rating — to make it easier for our readers to analyze and compare many of the industry’s most well-known insurers. The score you see referenced in this article is based on several factors, including:

• Cost: How the insurer’s average rates compare to its direct competitors and the industry as a whole. This includes available savings opportunities, such as discounts and other factors.
• Customer satisfaction: How satisfied existing customers are with the service they receive. This includes the insurer’s scores among various third-party studies, such as the J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping and Claims Satisfaction studies, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index, among others.
• Ease of use: How easy it is for policyholders to utilize their policies. This includes mobile app availability, customer service availability, payment flexibility, and other related factors.
• Availability: The overall scope of the company’s insurance offerings. This includes available coverage types, national footprint, and other related factors.
• Industry reputation: A measure of the insurer’s overall standing within the industry. This includes its AM Best financial strength rating, BBB accreditation, and other related factors.

Sources

1. J.D. Power, “Insurers Struggle to Manage Expectations in Auto Claims Process as Repair Times Increase” Accessed 6/27/2023
2. J.D. Power, “Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge,” Accessed June 27, 2023.
3. AAA Foundation, “Rates of Motor Vehicle Crashes, Injuries and Deaths in Relation to Driver Age, United States, 2014-2015,” Accessed June 27, 2023
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Teen Driver and Passenger Safety,” Accessed June 27, 2023
5. NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, “Traffic Safety Facts,” Accessed June 27, 2023
6. National Safety Council, “Motor Vehicle Safety Issues,” Accessed June 27, 2023