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The Hartford's powerful new Quote Marine technology tool lets agents easily sell, service and manage Builders Risk accounts -- day or night -- right from The Hartford's Electronic Business Center (EBC) portal. Builders Risk is the first of a series of marine products that will be available through this tool.

Builders Risk insurance is an inland marine coverage that protects the significantly increasing value of property as it moves from breaking ground to completion. Builders Risk generally covers the building under construction, building materials (in-transit or storage) and certain loss of rent.

"Agents and brokers who write marine coverages want to spend their time managing customer relationships and bringing in business instead of wading knee-deep in paperwork and follow-up phone calls," said Scott Shapiro, vice president of Marine at The Hartford. "We've streamlined the process so agents can concentrate on what really matters to their business."

Quote Marine enables agents to submit an application by completing as few as five concise screens. While the client waits, agents also can test the effect of different deductibles and other options on premium. If the account meets online underwriting guidelines, it can be bound and the sale completed before the client hangs up the phone or leaves the agent's office.

The electronic rating, quoting and binding capability applies to new construction projects with up to $15 million in completed value. Wood-frame construction projects are not eligible. An application that does not meet online underwriting guidelines is automatically sent to a marine underwriter for consideration and will receive a response within two business days.

Beyond its ease in placement, The Hartford's Builders Risk policy is an exceptionally broad product, protecting even the profit the contractor has earned as of the date of loss. Also recognizing that rebuilding may become more expensive over time, The Hartford's Builders Risk covers replacement costs rather than actual cash value, and additional costs when a new ordinance or law adds to the cost of rebuilding. Please refer to the terms of your policy with respect to the specific limits and coverages provided by a Builders Risk policy. Coverages may not be available in all states.

"We created an inclusive product that is fast and easy to sell, service and manage electronically through our Electronic Business Center. So whether it's writing a policy at six in the morning, checking on a claim at 10 p.m. or reviewing a commission statement on Sunday afternoon, doing marine business with The Hartford can be quick and convenient. This is all part of our approach to be the company of choice for marine business," said Shapiro.

The Hartford has pioneered a host of technology breakthroughs to make it easier for agents to write personal lines and small commercial business and, more recently, middle market business. Quote Marine is the insurer's first electronic submission tool for a marine product, and the company has begun development to extend similar electronic capability in 2005 to other marine products.

Quote Marine is available to agents registered to use The Hartford's Electronic Business Center. For further information, agents can contact their representative at The Hartford or call The Hartford's Agency Interface Services Team toll free at 877-322-4833.

The Hartford's marine insurance department insures both ocean marine (ocean cargo, vessels/hulls) and their related liability; and inland marine (buildings under construction, fine arts, sophisticated computer equipment, etc.). Stand alone property can also be underwritten through Hartford Marine.

The Hartford is one of the nation's largest financial services and insurance companies, with 2003 revenues of $18.7 billion. The company is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property-casualty insurance. The Hartford's Internet address is http://www.thehartford.com/ .

Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 those discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2003 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.