AM Best


A.M. Best Revises Outlook to Positive for The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and Its Property/Casualty Subsidiaries


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Gordon McLean
Senior Financial Analyst
(908) 439-2200, ext. 5304
gordon.mclean@ambest.com

Jennifer Marshall
Assistant Vice President
(908) 439-2200, ext. 5327
jennifer.marshall@ambest.com


Rachelle Morrow
Senior Manager, Public Relations
(908) 439-2200, ext. 5378
rachelle.morrow@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Assistant Vice President, Public Relations
(908) 439-2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLDWICK - APRIL 03, 2014 04:01 PM (EDT)
A.M. Best has revised the outlook to positive from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "a+" of Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its pooling subsidiaries and affiliates, collectively referred to as the Hartford Insurance Pool. At the same time, A.M. Best has affirmed the ICR of "bbb+" and all debt ratings of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The Hartford) [NYSE: HIG], which is the ultimate parent of the aforementioned operating insurance companies. All companies are headquartered in Hartford, CT. (Please see link below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

The ratings of the Hartford Insurance Pool reflect its solid risk-adjusted capitalization, improving underwriting and operating profitability and excellent market position within the property/casualty industry. The pool's results remain better than the average of its peers in recent years, although they have deteriorated relative to historical levels. The Hartford Insurance Pool benefits from its geographic and product line diversity, experienced management team, generally conservative operating fundamentals and diversified underwriting initiatives, which provide balanced growth opportunities. Management remains focused primarily on small to middle commercial markets and personal lines that are viewed as less volatile. While results in recent years have been impacted by catastrophes and non-catastrophe weather losses, the pool's core results remain within A.M. Best's expectations.

These positive factors are somewhat offset by variable operating performance, given the impact of weather-related losses that weakened operating results in recent years relative to their historical levels. In addition, the pool maintains above-average exposure to affiliated investments and commercial real estate assets compared to the overall property/casualty peer group. In addition, the pool's ratings reflect the potential strain on capital and resources from the run-off of variable annuity (VA) business written by the pool's life affiliates.

The change in outlook for both The Hartford and the Hartford Insurance Pool reflects a substantial reduction in the risk associated with the VA business. Two key components of that risk reduction are the significantly increased surrender activity that has lowered the enterprise's overall exposure to the VA business, and an expansion of The Hartford's hedging program to include its Japanese VA business. The Hartford has historically employed a hedging program on U.S. VA risks to address equity, interest rate and market volatility risks. The expanded hedging program addresses those risks for the Japan VA block, as well as associated foreign exchange risk.

The change in the outlook for the ratings reflects A.M. Best's expectation that given the depth and scope of operations, generally conservative underwriting practices and effective utilization of multiple distribution channels, The Hartford will generate solid earnings over the near term while maintaining the group's strong risk-adjusted capital position and continuing to pay dividends to support its parent's obligations. Given the strength of the hedging programs, The Hartford maintains the ability to withstand severe equity, interest rate and FX shocks under stress scenarios

Positive rating actions could be taken on the ratings of the Hartford Insurance Pool if the risk associated with the VA block of business is significantly reduced from current levels or eliminated entirely. Additionally, positive rating actions could occur if The Hartford's underwriting and operating results improve to levels that outperform other similarly rated peers while maintaining a strong level of risk-adjusted capitalization. Key factors that could trigger negative rating actions on the group's ratings include a weakening in operating performance, particularly if the resulting performance is below A.M. Best expectations, which results in a deterioration of risk-adjusted capitalization.

The Hartford's debt-to-total capital ratio (excluding accumulated other comprehensive income) and interest coverage ratios are within A.M. Best's guidelines for its current ratings. A.M. Best anticipates The Hartford will maintain solid liquidity at the holding company to support potential capital needs of its operating subsidiaries should the need arise.

For a complete listing of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.'s FSRs, ICRs and debt ratings, please visit www.ambest.com/press/040308hartford.pdf.

The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best's Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best's rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Best's Credit Rating Methodology can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.

A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.


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