The Hartford Rolls Out AARP Auto Product Through Independent Agents

The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. is now offering AARP-branded auto insurance through select, authorized independent agents.

Previously, the insurance was only available directly from The Hartford by phone, Internet or mail. The decision to expand through the agent channel was based on strong customer feedback, according to The Hartford. Pilot testing of the product and new research revealed that the majority of the nearly 40 million AARP members prefer the advice and counsel of a local agent when making decisions about their auto insurance, the insurer said.

“For 25 years, the industry-leading AARP-branded auto insurance program from The Hartford has been extremely popular, growing to almost three million policies in force,” said Michael Concannon, senior vice president, The Hartford. “Much of the success of this program is due to innovative product features and a commitment to truly understand and support our customers. We are thrilled to now be able to offer these innovative products and features to the many AARP members who prefer to purchase insurance through an independent agent.”

By the end of 2009, AARP-branded auto insurance will be available from The Hartford through select authorized local agents in as many as 20 states. Beginning July 18, specially authorized agents in Georgia, Ohio, Virginia, Colorado and New Mexico started selling the product. The products will be available through authorized local agents in additional states by the end of the year including Connecticut, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri. Last year, The Hartford piloted the offering in Arizona, Tennessee, Minnesota and Illinois.

The AARP-branded insurance program is designed specifically to meet the needs of baby boomers and older adults, and utilizes the expertise of The Hartford Advance 50 Team, a group of in-house gerontologists focused on creating innovative products and services for the 50+ market.

Other highlights of the program include:

Lifetime continuation – assures that the customer’s insurance policy will not be dropped as long as a few simple requirements are met.

RecoverCare – helps customers pay for assistance with daily errands and responsibilities, like cooking, cleaning, shopping, dog walking, transportation and yard work if they are injured in an auto accident.

Standard 12-month rate protection – versus the traditional six month policies offered by most companies.

Independent agents who applied were authorized after satisfying a number of eligibility requirements, which included – completing a training program designed to highlight the needs of the 50+ population and empower agents to sell a product that truly meets a customer’s needs, meeting a high-level of business and ethics standards, and demonstrating a commitment to community service. Not all Hartford agents are authorized to sell AARP-branded products.

Source: The Hartford