As the 2007 Hurricane Season Draws Near, The Hartford Reminds Residents and Businesses to Be Prepared!

With just one week away from June 1, the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), one of the leading providers of investment and insurance products, is reminding homeowners and businesses to take measures that can safeguard their lives and property if they become the victims of a violent hurricane. Weather experts are predicting an above normal 2007 hurricane season, with 13 to 17 named storms, with seven to 10 becoming hurricanes. Three to five could become major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher. In an effort to raise awareness and to spread the message well beyond National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 20-26), The Hartford’s Loss Control unit is hosting a webcast on the topic of preventing injury and minimizing property damage caused by the destructive forces of a hurricane. This electronic presentation can be accessed by visiting the Hurricane Information Center at http://www.thehartford.com/catinfo and selecting the link to the Hurricane Preparedness Presentation. This new Loss Control tool is one of several resources made available to those who visit the web site, which offers tips and checklists for storm preparation, evacuation planning, creating a home inventory, post-storm safety and filing a claim. There is also information on The Hartford’s pioneering Emergency Claim Card, as well as a link to a free home inventory software that can be downloaded from the Insurance Information Institute. "Hurricanes can cause extensive property damage, but they can also upend lives if the right steps are not taken before, during and after a storm,” says Robert Wilkey, The Hartford’s assistant vice president of Catastrophe Claims Management. "While last year’s season was thankfully a quiet one, people living or working in harm’s way shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of security. They should heed the warnings of Hurricane Preparedness Week and create an adequate disaster and recovery plan.” Wilkey explains that one simple but critical step in this process is to create an inventory of personal belongings and business assets. The creation and maintenance of an updated inventory can be helpful during the claims process to establish what you owned prior to a loss. It can be accomplished by doing the following: Use a video or still camera to create a visual record of your belongings that might be damaged or lost during a catastrophe. Update this visual record periodically, especially after making improvements to your home or business or after making a major purchase or receiving a gift of significant value. Create a written list of your inventory to accompany your visual reference. Retain receipts for valuable items, if possible, and note makes, models, serial numbers, dates of purchase and other relevant information in your list. Store visual and written records, or copies of them, away from your home or business in a secure location, such as a safe deposit box. Commitment to Policyholders The Hartford has been committed to its policyholders for nearly 200 years, helping them through some of the country’s worst natural disasters, including the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 and the devastating hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005. As "early responders” to a disaster, the company works as quickly as possible after a catastrophe to restore people’s property and lives. Catastrophe Claims Operation: In 2006, the company formed a centralized Catastrophe Claims Operation near Chicago which is dedicated solely to processing claims that arise out of catastrophic events. Strategically located a safe distance from coastal areas, the facility is fully staffed and ready to serve The Hartford’s customers even when other areas of the country are experiencing the impact of a hurricane disaster. Customers who experience a loss can report damages to 1-800-243-5860, any time of the day or night. Technology to Reach Customers: The Hartford has a team of Catastrophe Claims adjusters on standby, ready to move quickly into damaged areas to begin processing claims. These adjusters are armed with the latest technology that helps them deliver fast, fair and efficient Claims service. For example, GPS devices enable adjusters to find policyholders when street signs and landmarks are missing. Adjusters carry satellite telephones to conduct business when telephone lines and cells are down. The company is also experimenting with oblique aerial imaging -- a new technology involving low altitude/high resolution photos -- which may be helpful before adjusters can physically enter a neighborhood. Accessing Funds: The Hartford offers its customers innovative payment options during a time of need. Policyholders can access emergency funds through 1) traditional checks, 2) electronic fund transfers, which deposit funds directly into a customer’s bank account, and 3) The Hartford’s "Emergency Claim Card,” which is a pre-funded, PIN-protected card that can be activated within 24 hours and has "point of sale” functionality at retail locations. The card is convenient, secure and an easy-to-use alternative to cash or writing a check from a personal account. For the 2007 hurricane season, The Hartford is working on new enhancements to the Card program, including the ability to allow customers to access a credit option as well as the existing PIN features of the card. "The Hartford is equipped more than ever today to handle disasters that affect our customers. Our focus continues to be on delivering exceptional service to combat the emotional trauma and property loss caused by a catastrophic event,” explains Wilkey. The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest financial services and insurance companies, with 2006 revenues of $26.5 billion. The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property and casualty insurance. International operations are located in Japan, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The Hartford's Internet address is www.thehartford.com. HIG-PC Some of the statements in this release should be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements about our future results of operations. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued. The information provided in these materials is of a general nature, based on certain assumptions. The content of these materials may omit certain details and cannot be regarded as advice that would be applicable to all businesses. As such, this information is provided for informational purposes only. Readers seeking resolution of specific safety, legal or business issues or concerns regarding this topic should consult their safety consultant, attorney or business advisors. The background presented is not a substitute for a thorough loss control survey of your business or operations or an analysis of the legality or appropriateness of your business practices. The information provided should not be considered legal advice. The Hartford does not warrant that the implementation of any view or recommendation contained herein will: (i) result in the elimination of any unsafe conditions at your business locations or with respect to your business operations; or (ii) will be an appropriate legal or business practice. Further, The Hartford does not warrant that the implementation of any view or recommendation will result in compliance with any health, fire, or safety standards or codes, or any local, state, or federal ordinance, regulation, statute or law (including, but not limited to, any nationally recognized life, building or fire safety code or any state or federal privacy or employment law). The Hartford assumes no responsibility for the control or correction of hazards or legal compliance with respect to your business practices, and the views and recommendations contained herein shall not constitute our undertaking, on your behalf or for the benefit of others, to determine or warrant that your business premises, locations, operations or practices are safe or healthful, or are in compliance with any law, rule or regulation.