The Hartford Auto Insurance Review 2024

Drew Gula
By Drew Gula 
Edited by Ben Moore

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Our Take

3.5

NerdWallet rating 

The bottom line:

The Hartford primarily caters to customers 50 and older, offering policies through a partnership with AARP.

The Hartford Auto Insurance
NAIC complaints
More than expected
Ease of use
Above average
Discounts
Average set of discounts

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Above average customer satisfaction ratings for auto insurance shopping.

  • Free benefits like new car replacement included with AARP auto insurance policies.

Cons

  • More than the expected number of complaints for auto insurance policies.

Full Review

The Hartford earned 3.5 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.

The Hartford’s insurance offerings are targeted for the 50 and older crowd, cemented by a partnership with AARP to bring additional savings and perks to members. Non-AARP members can purchase home and auto policies through independent insurance agents, and the company also offers group benefits and business insurance.

Why you can trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage so you can choose the insurance policy that works best for you. These carrier ratings are specific to auto insurance — a company's rating for other products may be different on our site. See our criteria for evaluating auto insurance companies.

In our auto insurance reviews, our editorial team considers both the customer and the insurer. These are some of the factors we take into account:

Financial strength. We use A.M. Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims. NerdWallet does not recommend companies with a rating lower than a B. 

Complaints. These ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The best auto insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints.

Ease of use. This category looks at how easily consumers can interact with an insurer through its mobile app and website. This includes how much coverage information is offered online, whether a user can start and track a claim online and get a quote and mobile app scores based on the Apple and Google Play store ratings.Discounts. We look at both the kind of discounts a company offers and the total number of discounts available.

Compare to other insurers

Current Product

The Hartford Auto Insurance
Connect Auto Insurance
Allstate Auto Insurance
NerdWallet rating 

3.5

/5
NerdWallet rating 

3.5

/5
NerdWallet rating 

4.5

/5

Complaints to NAIC 

More than expected

Complaints to NAIC 

More than expected

Complaints to NAIC 

Close to expected

Ease of use 

Above average

Ease of use 

Above average

Ease of use 

Above average

Discounts 

Average set of discounts

Discounts 

Great set of discounts

Discounts 

Great set of discounts

Bottom line 

The Hartford primarily caters to customers 50 and older, offering policies through a partnership with AARP.

Bottom line 

Connect offers a variety of discounts, but with more than the expected number of complaints, you may want to look elsewhere.

Bottom line 

With plenty of coverage options and discounts, this auto insurance giant is worth a look.

The Hartford auto insurance coverage

When you're shopping for car insurance coverage, it's important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. For instance, most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive a vehicle. Alternatively, if you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Read about the most common types of car insurance coverage to see how they work.

AARP offers auto insurance to its members through a partnership with The Hartford.

AARP auto insurance policies from The Hartford may automatically include:

  • RecoverCare, which pays to cover costs for things you can’t do after an injury in a car accident such as snow removal. Availability varies by state.

  • New car replacement, which pays out if your new car is totaled. The Hartford will write you a check for the value of a new vehicle of the same make and model and with the same equipment.

  • Lifetime car repair assurance, if your car is fixed at an approved repair shop.

  • Accident forgiveness, which means your premium won’t increase after your first accident, as long as all drivers on your policy have had a clean record for the past five years. Accident forgiveness isn’t available in California.

  • No deductible on windshield repairs.

  • Legal assistance if you get into an accident.

  • Comprehensive driving evaluations, which pays up to $500 for an occupational therapist assessment. Assessments can take place up to three years after you’ve been in a car accident.

The Hartford also offers sells additional coverage and perks, including:

  • Gap insurance, which pays the difference between what you initially paid for your car and what an insurer will pay out if your car is stolen or declared a total loss.

  • Pet injury coverage, which covers vet expenses if your pet is injured while riding in your car when you have an accident.

  • Key replacement coverage, which pays to replace your keys if they are lost or stolen.

  • Disappearing deductible, which reduces your collision deductible as long as you maintain a clean driving record. This feature isn’t available in California.

Auto insurance discounts

You may be able to save on car insurance with The Hartford by:

  • Bundling policies.

  • Driving hybrid or electric vehicles.

  • Insuring cars with more than one airbag or anti-lock brakes.

  • Completing an approved defensive driver course.

  • Paying for your policy upfront.

  • Being a member of AARP.

  • Getting a quote online.

🤓Nerdy Tip

First time shopping for auto insurance? Unsure of where to start? Check out our guide on how to shop for car insurance.

Pricing based on tracked driving habits

The Hartford’s TrueLane app rewards drivers for safe driving habits. You’ll receive a discount for signing up and can earn an additional discount when you renew, depending on your driving behavior. You can increase your chances of receiving a discount by not speeding, avoiding sudden turns and not using your phone while driving.

Complaints and customer satisfaction

The Hartford had more than the expected number of complaints about auto insurance to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

2023 J.D. Power study

The Hartford ranking

Auto insurance shopping

No. 1 out of 10 companies

Auto insurance claims satisfaction

No. 13 out of 24 companies.

More about The Hartford insurance

Website: You can get a quote, pay your premium, access auto ID cards, manage policies and file and track claims on The Hartford’s website. It also has basic information about coverage options and discounts.

Mobile apps: Auto & Home at The Hartford is the insurer’s primary mobile app. It allows you to pay bills, track claims, view your policy, see your electronic auto ID card and more. You can also summon roadside assistance, locate a repair shop or agent, and start a claim.

TrueLane is an additional app from The Hartford that specifically tracks driving behavior. You may receive savings for displaying safe driving habits while using it.

Home, renters and life insurance from The Hartford

Home and renters insurance policies are available through The Harford. To learn more about coverage options, read The Hartford home insurance review and The Harford renters insurance review.

The AARP sells term, permanent and no-exam life insurance policies. For more information on coverage, read our AARP life insurance review.

Other insurance from The Hartford

The Hartford offers additional insurance products such as:

  • Condo insurance.

  • Umbrella insurance.

  • Business insurance.

  • Commercial auto insurance.

  • Flood insurance

The company also sells the following through third parties:

  • Boat insurance.

  • Classic car insurance.

  • Recreational vehicle insurance.

  • Motorcycle insurance.

  • Mobile home insurance.

  • ATV insurance.

  • Snowmobile insurance.

  • Golf cart insurance.

Methodology

Insurer complaints methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2020-2022. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

Auto insurance ratings methodology

NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.

Frequently asked questions