Hartford (The)

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. stands as one of America's most storied insurance companies, with a legacy spanning over two centuries since its founding in 1810. Headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut—a city that became known as the 'Insurance Capital of the World' largely due to The Hartford's influence—the company has built an enduring reputation for financial strength, reliability, and customer service. As a Fortune 500 company ranked 162nd with annual revenues of $26.5 billion and approximately 19,100 employees, The Hartford has evolved from a local fire insurance provider into a diversified financial services leader serving customers across the United States and select international markets.

The company operates through three primary business segments that generate its earnings: property and casualty operations, group benefits, and mutual funds. As the 13th-largest property and casualty insurance company in the United States, The Hartford provides comprehensive coverage for both personal and commercial customers. Its personal lines business includes auto and home insurance for individuals and families, with a particular strength in serving the AARP community—The Hartford has been the exclusive auto and home insurance provider for AARP members for over 25 years. The commercial lines business delivers sophisticated insurance solutions across diverse industries including construction, education, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, retail, and technology. The company's group benefits division provides life insurance, disability coverage, and other employee benefits to businesses and organizations nationwide, while its mutual funds operation offers investment products to help individuals plan for retirement and other financial goals.

The Hartford's financial performance in 2024 demonstrated exceptional strength and momentum. The company generated $26.38 billion in revenue, representing significant growth from $24.33 billion in 2023. Net income reached $3.11 billion, up 24.24% year-over-year, while cash flow from operations surged to $5.91 billion, a 40.02% increase. The company's core earnings return on equity (ROE) reached 18.4% for the trailing 12 months through Q3 2024, reflecting superior capital efficiency and profitability. With a market capitalization of approximately $36 billion, The Hartford has established itself as a well-capitalized, financially robust institution capable of honoring its commitments to policyholders while delivering attractive returns to shareholders.

Under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Swift, who has led the company since 2014, The Hartford has undergone a strategic transformation focused on its core insurance and investment businesses. Swift orchestrated the company's exit from run-off life and annuity businesses, enabling greater financial flexibility and improving return on equity. His strategic acquisitions—including Aetna's U.S. group life and disability business in 2017 and The Navigators Group in 2019 for $2.1 billion—have expanded The Hartford's capabilities across 22 vertical specialty markets and strengthened its geographic reach in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and Asia. The company has also invested significantly in technology modernization, with new leadership appointments in data, AI, and cloud infrastructure positioning The Hartford to leverage digital capabilities for enhanced underwriting, claims processing, and customer experience. This combination of financial strength, strategic focus, technological innovation, and over 200 years of heritage positions The Hartford to continue underwriting human achievement and building resilience for generations to come.