The Hartford Insurance Review (2025)

  • Overall rating: good (3.7/5 stars)
  • Average cost: $1,249 for a 6-month policy
  • 82.8% of customers recommend The Hartford

Read more below to get a quote directly from The Hartford.

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Renata Balasco

Senior Content Strategist

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as licensed insurance professional and content strategist.…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5 years of experience in the insurance industry
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Tara Stumpf

Manager

Tara joined The Zebra in 2025, bringing 18 years of marketing and public relations experience with fintech and insurance brands. She specializes in c…

Credentials
  • 18+ years of experience in the fintech & insurance industries
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Beth Swanson

Insurance Analyst

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Associate in Insurance
  • Professional Risk Consultant

The Hartford Insurance: A good choice for senior drivers

The Hartford is a popular choice for older drivers, thanks in large part to its long-standing partnership with AARP. While rates tend to be slightly above average, the company offers a wide range of discounts to help offset costs.

The claims process is generally smooth, though customers have reported sharp premium increases after collision claims. The Zebra gives The Hartford a good rating for these reasons.

What customers like:
  • Self-Service Options: Complete tasks independently without waiting for an agent.

  • Market Stability and Longevity: Established history suggests reliable long-term coverage.

What customers don't like:
  • Response Times Across Channels: Long wait times delay urgent issues and create frustration.

  • Agent Knowledge and Helpfulness: Staff may be unable to provide answers and require multiple contacts.

How The Zebra evaluates insurance companies

Rating Explanation Star rating equivalent
Subpar Lowest ranking, suggesting instability or high risk 0-1.9
Fair Somewhat stable but not consistently reliable 2-2.9
Good Generally dependable with moderate stability 3-3.9
Solid Strong, reliable and dependable with minor risks 4-4.4
Exceptional Highest rating, indicating outstanding stability and reliability 4.5-5

Methodology — how The Zebra reviews insurance companies

The team of insurance experts at The Zebra evaluates companies by focusing on customer experience first, with an emphasis on service quality, reliability, and ease of interaction. Unlike previous models, pricing is not scored but is instead presented separately as context for comparison.

Each category has been scored using a combination of our internal customer satisfaction survey results and published scores from reputable organizations such as AM Best and J.D. Power.

  • Service Accessibility & Support Quality (25%): This category measures how easy it is to get help when needed, evaluating factors such as support channel availability (phone, chat, in-person, app), response times, agent knowledge, service hours, and language accessibility.
  • Claims Experience (25%): This category assesses how smoothly the claims process works, considering ease of filing (online, app, or phone), transparency and communication, processing times, and fairness in dispute resolution.
  • Digital Experience & Policy Management (25%): This category evaluates the convenience of managing your policy: this includes mobile app usability, website experience, account management, digital document access, self-service options, and platform integrations
  • Trust & Reliability (25%): This category looks at a company’s overall reliability, measuring financial strength, market stability, regulatory history, communication transparency, and consistency in policy terms.

Price context: Pricing varies significantly based on individual circumstances and risk factors. Customers can evaluate cost-effectiveness based on their specific situation and the service quality scores provided.

How much is The Hartford car insurance? 

Currently, the national average for a 6-month car insurance policy is $1,084, whereas The Hartford is about $1,249.[1]

Average 6-month car insurance premiums
Filter by:

Updating data...

Company Liability only Full coverage
The Hartford $389 $1,249

Source: The Zebra

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.

See how The Hartford stacks up against competitors →

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Discounts offered at The Hartford: more options than competitors

Because The Hartford partners directly with AARP, members of the organization can expect special benefits just for signing up. However, there are many other ways to save on an auto insurance policy through The Hartford. Have a look at some of the other discounts that The Hartford offers its policyholders.

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Good student

If there is a driver on the policy who is a full-time student between the ages of 16 and 25 who maintains a B average or higher (3.0 on a 4.0 scale), you could receive a car insurance discount.

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Defensive driver course

Complete a defensive driving course to be eligible for this discount.

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Anti-theft device

This allows you to save money on comprehensive coverage through The Hartford.

Common discounts offered at The Hartford
Bundle and Save Online Quote
Paid-in-Full Good Payer Discount
Defensive Driver Course Drive Safe and Save
Safe Driver Training Discounts Safety Features
5 Years Clean Vehicle Fuel Type

To learn more about each discount The Hartford has to offer, see their discounts page.

Compare with other companies

See how The Hartford stacks up against similar companies

the hartford logo

Cost: $1,249 average cost for a six month policy

Customer satisfaction: Medium

Our take:

  • The Hartford received a superior financial strength rating from A.M. Best
  • Above average claims satisfaction
  • Special benefits for AARP members
GEICO logo

Cost: $954 for a six month auto policy

Customer satisfaction: High

Our take:

  • Cheaper prices than The Hartford
  • Better service accessibility & support quality scores than The Hartford
  • Worse bundling options than The Hartford
travelers logo

Cost: $737 average cost for a six-month policy

Customer satisfaction: Medium

Our take:

  • Cheaper prices than The Hartford
  • More customer complaints than The Hartford
  • Lower digital experience scores than The Hartford

The Hartford's customer service & claims: Mixed experiences

The Hartford's customer service can be a different experience each time you reach out. The customer survey scores tell us that that the agents sometimes lack the knowledge needed to help them, or are stuck waiting a long time for a response. But, for many the claims department is the opposite. Timely help with updated status reports to let you know what they are doing in the backend to help with your claim.

Thinking about The Hartford?

See what other drivers are asking

Will The Hartford raise rates with the first accident?

That’s a great question, and one we hear a lot. The Hartford does offer accident forgiveness in many states, which means your very first at-fault accident won’t automatically increase your premium. According to The Hartford's website via AARP, accident forgiveness, “excuses your first accident if y…
Sep 24, 2025 Amarillo, TX

Will The Hartford lower my rate if I'm not driving very much?

The short answer is yes — if you’re driving fewer miles, The Hartford may be able to adjust your rate. This is a really common question, especially for drivers whose routines have changed after retirement. Here are a few things worth asking about:Low-mileage discounts: Many insurers, including The …
Sep 24, 2025 Mount Pleasant, SC

The Hartford Customer Survey results

82.8% of customers recommend The Hartford

The Zebra conducted a survey across 4,000+ users to gather ratings on major carriers' customer service, claims process, ease of use, and more. See how The Hartford was rated in individual categories by expanding the section below.[2]

Survey icon

How much will your rates climb after filing a claim with The Hartford?

No one wants to file a claim, but sometimes it's impossible to avoid. See the table below for some examples of what you could be facing after filing a claim.

Average rates with common claims
Filter by:

Updating data...

Accident/Violation Avg. 6 Mo. Premium
One comp claim $1,576
None $1,576
Two comp claims $1,576
At-fault accident - $1000-$2000 $3,619
At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $3,619

Source: The Zebra

Claims process: Helpful and effective

The Hartford's claims process is accessible online and via their mobile app, making it convenient for policyholders. Claims are often resolved quickly; more complex cases may take longer, but they will keep you in the loop so you're not left wondering what's going on. Customer satisfaction surveys consistently place The Hartford in the upper tier, indicating they offer reliable service while handling complicated claims efficiently. 


Coverage options: The basics and more

While The Hartford offers basic auto insurance coverage options like liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, and comprehensive, it also provides unique coverage options and exclusive benefits.

✔️ Rental Car Reimbursement

✔️ Full Glass Coverage

✔️ Loan/lease payoff

✔️ Roadside assistance

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News

Carrier pulse: Recent news from The Hartford

  • Hartford CEO says company will lead insurance industry in AI .[3]

Final thoughts: Is The Hartford right for you?

If you are a member of AARP, The Hartford could be a good option, especially when you consider the higher premiums many insurance companies impose on drivers of advancing age. However, younger drivers may not find the policies as beneficial. With its strong history and reputation for ethical practices, The Hartford is certainly a strong choice for auto and home insurance. 

Frequently Asked Questions about The Hartford

While The Hartford has a special partnership with AARP to offer insurance products to its members at a discount, The Hartford also provides insurance to the general public.

Members can get exclusive savings like up to 10%* off their premium, plus discounts for requesting a quote online or for bundling auto and home policies.

According to J.D. Power, The Hartford ranks above average for property (e.g. home, renters) insurance claims and below average for auto insurance claims.

Get quotes from The Hartford and other top companies

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Sources:
  1. Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool

  2. Anonymized User Survey. The Zebra

  3. Hartford CEO says company will lead insurance industry in AI. Coverager News

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.