The Hartford Car Insurance At A Glance
The Hartford stands out in the crowded auto insurance landscape as a carrier specifically designed for the 50-and-older crowd, thanks to its exclusive partnership with AARP that dates back to 1984. Founded in 1810, this company brings over two centuries of experience to the table and remains the only nationally endorsed auto insurance provider for AARP members. While younger drivers can still obtain coverage through independent agents, the real value proposition centers on AARP members who want tailored benefits and competitive pricing.
What makes The Hartford interesting is its focus on what mature drivers actually need. Instead of flashy marketing campaigns targeting every demographic, this insurer doubled down on a specific audience and built its products around their unique concerns. That includes perks like RecoverCare, which helps pay for household services if you’re injured and unable to care for yourself after an accident.
Overall, we rated The Hartford car insurance 8.9 out of 10, but it fell just short of earning a spot on our list of the best car insurance companies. Read more and learn about The Hartford, and whether it might be right for you.
Key Strengths
- Strong financial stability backed by A+ ratings from AM Best and S&P, plus an A1 rating from Moody’s
- Exclusive benefits for AARP members, including new car replacement and RecoverCare coverage
- Competitive rates for the 50-plus demographic with average premiums below the national average
- Stackable discounts that can significantly reduce your premium over time
Key Weaknesses
- AARP membership required for direct policy purchases (non-members must go through independent agents)
- Slightly higher than average complaint volume according to NAIC data
- Not available in California or Florida for new policies
- Claims handling experiences vary widely based on customer feedback
Who is The Hartford Best For?
The Hartford fits best for drivers who are 50 years or older and either already hold an AARP membership or are willing to join. If you value benefits tailored specifically to experienced drivers, like accident forgiveness that kicks in after five clean years or a deductible that shrinks over time, this carrier deserves serious consideration. Folks with clean driving records will find the best rates here, and those who bundle home and auto coverage can unlock substantial savings. However, if you’re under 50 and want to purchase directly online without an agent, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
The Hartford Affordability
When it comes to pricing, The Hartford positions itself competitively for its target market. AARP members typically pay between $121 and $162 monthly for coverage, and full coverage policies average around $153 per month compared to the national average of $190. Liability-only policies come in around $90 monthly, which sits well below the national average of $113.
That said, rates vary dramatically based on your driving history. Drivers with clean records score the best deals, while those with tickets or at-fault accidents will see premiums climb. The company tends to charge more than competitors for drivers with speeding violations on their records.
The Hartford offers a solid lineup of ways to trim your premium. AARP members automatically qualify for up to 10% off just for having a membership. The TrueLane telematics program rewards safe driving habits with a 15% initial discount for signing up, and you can earn up to 40% off at renewal time based on your actual driving behavior. Bundling your auto and home policies through the AARP program can save you an average of $813. Starting your quote online gets you up to 8% off, and simply paying your bill on time or in full unlocks additional savings. Completing the AARP Driver Safety Course or similar defensive driving program nets you a 5% discount for the following three years. Other discounts apply for having anti-theft devices, anti-lock brakes, multiple airbags, or driving a hybrid or electric vehicle.
The Hartford Coverage Options
The Hartford delivers a full suite of standard auto insurance coverages alongside several unique perks that set it apart from competitors. Standard coverage options include bodily injury liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal injury protection, property damage liability, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Where The Hartford really differentiates itself is through its AARP-exclusive benefits. RecoverCare provides up to $2,500 to cover transportation, cooking, cleaning, and other daily needs if you’re injured in an accident and temporarily unable to handle these tasks yourself. New car replacement kicks in if you total a vehicle within 15 months or 15,000 miles of purchase, covering the cost of a brand new car of the same make, model, and features without depreciation deductions.
The disappearing deductible feature gradually reduces your collision deductible over time as long as you maintain a clean driving record, potentially dropping it all the way to zero in some states. Accident forgiveness prevents your first at-fault accident from triggering a rate increase, provided all drivers on your policy have maintained spotless records for five consecutive years. Note that California policyholders cannot access the accident forgiveness or disappearing deductible benefits due to state regulations.
Additional coverage add-ons include gap insurance to cover the difference between your car’s value and what you still owe on a loan or lease, full glass coverage for windshield repairs and replacements, rental car reimbursement while your vehicle is being repaired, and 24/7 emergency roadside assistance with towing up to 100 miles. The company also offers specialty coverage for classic cars through a partnership with Hagerty, along with policies for ATVs, RVs, boats, and golf carts.
The Hartford Reliability
The Hartford boasts rock-solid financial stability that should give policyholders confidence in the company’s ability to pay claims. AM Best upgraded The Hartford Fire Insurance Company to an A+ (Superior) rating in July 2025, reflecting the company’s strongest-level risk-adjusted capitalization and favorable operating performance. Standard & Poor’s also assigns an A+ rating, while Moody’s rates the company A1. These ratings place The Hartford among the most financially secure insurers in the industry.
Regarding complaint data, The Hartford’s private passenger auto product scored 1.18 on the NAIC complaint index for 2023, representing slightly more complaints than the industry average baseline of 1.0. This marks the first time since 2021 that the company has exceeded the average complaint threshold for auto insurance. Interestingly, its homeowners’ insurance line tells a different story with a complaint index of just 0.53, well below average.
With over 215 years of continuous operation since its founding in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1810, this company has weathered economic depressions, world wars, and countless industry disruptions. The Hartford currently ranks as the 13th-largest property and casualty insurer in the United States, employs approximately 19,100 people, and serves over 1 million small businesses in addition to its personal lines customers.
The Hartford Customer Service
Customer service experiences with The Hartford tend to split depending on who you ask. The company earned above-average marks in certain J.D. Power regional satisfaction studies while falling below average in others, suggesting geography may play a role in service quality.
Phone support operates Monday through Friday from 8 am to 9 pm Eastern Time and Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm Eastern Time. AARP members reach customer service at 800-423-6789, while claims can be filed around the clock at 877-805-9918 for AARP members or 800-243-5860 for non-AARP policyholders. Glass claims have their own dedicated line at 800-892-8484. Wait times generally remain reasonable based on testing, with connections typically happening within a couple of minutes.
The Hartford’s primary mobile app, Auto & Home at The Hartford, allows policyholders to pay bills, track claims, view policy details, access digital ID cards, summon roadside assistance, and locate nearby repair shops or agents. The TrueLane telematics app functions separately and monitors driving behavior to determine potential discounts. The TrueLane app earns solid ratings of 4.5 stars on the Apple App Store and 4 out of 5 stars on Google Play. Users note that the app is quite sensitive to recording driving events like hard braking, though it offers a feature to explain these incidents within the app.
The company’s website enables online quoting, premium payments, account management, and claims filing. The Hartford scored above average in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study with 518 points in the shopping segment.
Regarding third-party ratings, The Hartford holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, though the company is not BBB accredited. The BBB has logged a significant volume of complaints over the past three years, reflecting concerns about claims handling and billing disputes. Trustpilot ratings paint a less flattering picture, with scores hovering around 1.2 to 1.5 out of 5 stars based on a few hundred reviews. Many negative reviews center on premium increases, claims disputes, and difficulties with cancellation procedures.
Reddit discussions reveal mixed opinions. Some users working in the insurance or body shop industries praise The Hartford as easy to work with on claims, while others share frustrations about lowball valuations and communication gaps during the claims process.
J.D. Power rated The Hartford slightly above average in the 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study with a score of 701 out of 1,000 points, compared to the industry average of 697. Regional satisfaction scores varied considerably, with The Hartford performing well in the Northwest and Southwest regions but falling below average in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions.
The Hartford Claims Process
Filing a claim with The Hartford can be done through multiple channels, including the company’s website, mobile app, or by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To start a claim, you’ll need your policy number, billing ZIP code, and relevant details about the incident, including photos and witness information when available.
After filing, an adjuster will contact you to walk through what’s covered, explain any deductible that applies, and request any additional documentation needed, such as photos or a police report. For vehicle repairs, The Hartford partners with more than 1,600 approved repair shops across the country. Using one of these recommended facilities means the company will guarantee the workmanship on all repairs. For glass claims, the company works with over 12,000 installers who typically perform repairs at your home or workplace.
The 2025 CRASH Network Auto Insurer Report Card, which surveys collision repair shops on how well insurers’ practices ensure quality repairs, assigned The Hartford a C+ grade. This represents the average grade in the report, with the company ranking 65th out of 97 insurers evaluated. Some customers report quick and painless claim resolutions, with checks arriving within days of filing. Others describe frustrating delays, communication lapses, and disputes over vehicle valuations. The company does not publicly disclose claim denial rates or average settlement times.
The Hartford Application Process
Getting a quote from The Hartford works primarily through two paths. AARP members can obtain quotes online through the company’s website or by phone. Non-AARP members must work with an independent insurance agent to access The Hartford’s products.
The online application process for AARP members proves straightforward, typically taking about 10 minutes to complete. You’ll provide basic personal details, including your name, address, and date of birth, followed by vehicle information and driving history. The company’s car insurance calculator tool helps estimate appropriate coverage levels based on your specific situation. Starting your quote online also qualifies you for up to an 8% discount on your premium.
Binding coverage happens quickly for standard applications. The Hartford allows same-day policy activation in most cases, meaning you can drive away with coverage in place within hours if everything checks out. The company accepts various payment methods, including monthly installments or paying in full, with the latter qualifying you for additional savings.
Digital tools available during the application include coverage comparison features, discount calculators, and educational resources explaining different coverage types. Representatives are available by phone to answer questions throughout the process.
Pros & Cons of The Hartford
Before making a decision about The Hartford, consider how these advantages and disadvantages align with your specific needs and circumstances.
Pros
- Over two centuries of financial stability with top-tier ratings from all major agencies
- Unique AARP member benefits like RecoverCare and new car replacement that competitors rarely match
- Competitive pricing for the 50-plus demographic with numerous stackable discounts available
- TrueLane telematics program offers up to 40% in renewal savings for safe drivers
- 24/7 claims support with multiple filing options and guaranteed repair workmanship through approved shops
Cons
- AARP membership is required for direct online policy purchases, limiting accessibility for younger drivers
- Higher than average complaint volume according to NAIC data, particularly around claims handling
- Not writing new policies in California or Florida, restricting availability in two major markets.
- Some key benefits, like accident forgiveness and disappearing deductible, are unavailable in California
- Premium increases at renewal have generated significant customer criticism in recent reviews.
Our Verdict & Rating for The Hartford
The Hartford occupies a unique position in the auto insurance market as the go-to carrier for AARP members seeking coverage designed around the realities of driving after 50. Its financial strength remains unquestionable with A+ ratings from AM Best and S&P, plus an A1 from Moody’s. The company’s longevity spanning over 200 years speaks to its ability to adapt and survive through dramatically changing conditions.
For its target demographic, The Hartford delivers genuine value. Average premiums run below national averages for full coverage, and the suite of AARP-exclusive benefits like RecoverCare, new car replacement, and disappearing deductibles provides meaningful differentiation from competitors. The TrueLane telematics program stands out as one of the most generous in the industry, offering up to 40% savings at renewal for safe drivers.
However, the company’s claim handling record shows room for improvement. The slightly elevated NAIC complaint index, mixed CRASH Network grades from repair shops, and the concerning volume of negative online reviews suggest experiences vary considerably. If you’re someone who prioritizes the absolute lowest rates above all else or lives in California or Florida, other carriers will serve you better.
Who Should Consider The Hartford?
- AARP members aged 50 or older looking for coverage tailored to experienced drivers
- Drivers with clean records who can maximize available discounts
- Homeowners who want to bundle auto and home coverage for significant savings
- Those who value benefits like RecoverCare and new car replacement over rock-bottom prices
- Customers are comfortable with phone and agent interactions rather than purely digital experiences
Who Should Consider Another Provider?
- Drivers under 50 who prefer purchasing coverage directly online without an agent
- California or Florida residents seeking new policies
- Budget-conscious shoppers who prioritize the lowest possible premiums over additional benefits
- Those with at-fault accidents or violations are looking for the most competitive rates
- Customers who have experienced frustrations with claim handling in the past
About Our Methodology
We use a weighted scoring system for car insurance reviews. We compared 20 companies on key factors, including their car insurance rates, to inform our ratings. Once we scored each company, we applied a curve based on the best overall product. Here’s what we look for:
- Financial Strength & Solvency: 20%
- Coverage Options: 10%
- Affordability: 30%
- Claims Process: 20%
- Customer Service: 20%
How The Hartford Scored
- Financial Stability: 10/10
- Coverage Options: 8/10
- Affordability & Value: 7/10
- Claims Process: 6/10
- Customer Service: 7/10
- Overall: 8.9/10
You can learn more about how each company scored and what curve was applied here: Car Insurance Reviews.
