The Hartford Teams Up with the Largest Technology Trade Association in Washington State to Protect its Members

HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Long considered the birthplace of the American technology industry, the Northwest U.S. continues to cultivate and support a wide range of innovative companies that help drive the Washington state economy. During the past three decades, Washington's technology sector has grown nearly three times faster than the national average and, today, it generates some $35 billion in business for the state. Technology-based firms also account for approximately 38 percent of all jobs in Washington and contribute significantly to its revenue base and leadership in international trade.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051208/HARTFORDLOGO )

To help these companies and their employees obtain appropriate insurance protection, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. , one of the nation's leading providers of investment and insurance products, announced that it has recently aligned itself with the WSA (formerly the Washington Software Association), the oldest and largest technology trade association in that state.

This arrangement combines The Hartford's state-of-the-art business and professional liability products, including its expertise in helping technology clients, with the WSA's focus on helping innovators in Washington remain leaders in the digital economy.

Through this strategic relationship, The Hartford will market to WSA members a broad range of insurance products specifically tailored for the technology industry -- more than 1,000 companies in Washington and Northern California. The products include property, general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto and technology errors and omissions insurance, as well as employment practices and directors and officers liability coverage. WSA members and their agents will work with The Hartford's Technology Practice Group, a team of experienced underwriting, claim and risk management professionals who are dedicated to the technology sector and can offer comprehensive guidance and consultative services.

"Whether it is software, hardware, telecommunications, or life sciences, The Hartford's Technology Practice Group can help identify and meet the unique insurance needs of technology businesses," said Michael Dandini, vice president of the Technology Practice Group. "We understand the technology industry and look forward to providing the right protection to WSA members, no matter how big or small."

The Hartford has been protecting technology companies for more than 20 years and currently insures more than 50,000 tech companies ranging from start-ups to large public companies, Dandini added.

"Technology businesses have complex and changing insurance needs, so they often require an insurer that knows this industry well and can walk them through the process," said Kathy Wilcox, WSA president and CEO. "The Hartford's Technology Practice Group's team of highly experienced professionals can provide our members with the guidance they need and with a broad range of products specifically tailored to the technology industry."

The Hartford's technology related insurance products are sold to WSA members through brokers and independent agents that represent The Hartford. To locate an agent, please visit http://www.thehartford.com/ and link to Property & Casualty on the right hand side under "Business."

For more information on The Hartford's Technology Practices Group, contact Toby Levy, 860-547-3977, tlevy@thehartford.com. For further information about the WSA, contact Nicole Saewert, 206-448-3033, nsaewert@wsa.org.

About the WSA

Founded in 1984, the WSA (formerly the Washington Software Alliance) is a catalyst for industry collaboration and networking. The result is that it is the region's leader in the technology industry. WSA has grown to become the state's largest technology trade association with 1,000 member firms representing software, Internet, telecommunications, health, bio-IT and digital media and video games. The WSA offers key business services and leads the advocacy of policy and legislative issues necessary to increase Washington State's impact the global digital economy. For more information, visit http://www.wsa.org/.

About The Hartford

The Hartford, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's largest financial services and insurance companies, with 2005 revenues of $27.1 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 http://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 2005 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.

Contact(s): The Hartford WSA Sue Honeyman Nicole Saewert 860-547-4976 206-448-3033 x. 139 shoneyman@thehartford.com nsaewert@wsa.org