Annual Report ASI 2009

On April 2, 1984, the AARP Automobile and Homeowners Insurance Program from The Hartford officially launched.

Back in 1984, when the doors first opened, there were only four product offerings—automobile, homeowners, personal umbrella and fire for dwellings policies. As was soon discovered, AARP members are a sophisticated and diverse group who have countless insurance needs. As a consequence, through the years, with consultation and quality control provided by AARP Services, The Hartford has worked tirelessly to create a Program with value added features such as First Accident Forgiveness, Disappearing Deductibles and RecoverCare, while at the same time, creating social impact through the Lifetime Continuation agreement.

Today, the Program, overseen by AARP Financial, has expanded to 18 product offerings (including antique/ classic automobiles, jet skis, boats, snowmobiles, ATVs and more). Recent expansion of the automobile program into the Hartford’s independent agent distribution channel was just launched in response to members’ expressed preferences.

When the Program was created in 1984, The Hartford formed a renowned Corporate Gerontology group (renamed in 2008 to The Advance 50 Team) to better understand the needs of the 50+ market and our members. Indeed, all Hartford customer sales, service and claim representatives undergo gerontology training prior to taking their first call from AARP members. Sensitivity and awareness of members’ needs is paramount to offering an unparalleled and unique member experience.

Further, the Advance 50 Team has produced a
number of important publications (in many cases in
partnership with the MIT AgeLab) that members and
non-members alike have come to rely on, including:
• We Need to Talk…Family Conversations with Older
Drivers

• At the Crossroads: A Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia & Driving

• Fire Sense: A Smart Way to Prevent, Detect and Escape Home Fires

• It Could Happen to Me: Family Conversations about Disaster Planning

• Make Your House a Home For A Lifetime: Practical Ideas and Products to Enhance Independent Living

• Your Road to Confidence: A Widow’s Guide to Buying, Selling and Maintaining a Car

These publications fulfill a very important need for AARP members and older Americans at potentially critical junctures in their lives.

• The Hartford generously supports the AARP Driver Safety Program through a combination of web and newspaper promotions, as well as in 2. 1 million renewal and new business inserts.

• The Hartford promotes the Program through advertising in every issue of AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin, as well as through advertising on AARP.org.