The Hartford Introduces Its Enhanced D&O Insurance Protection for NAREIT Members

HARTFORD, Conn., November 23, 2005 - With diversification and income as priorities, individual investors, pension funds and institutional investors have been moving massive amounts of capital to the real estate sector. Real estate investment trusts (REITs), with their low stock price volatility and rising dividends, have become one of the most popular forms of real estate capital investment. This in turn has led to increased market capitalizations and broader shareholder constituencies.

This attention also has brought increased shareholder expectations and heightened scrutiny which poses new challenges for REIT directors and officers. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG) is ready for these challenges with a new, updated version of its market-leading Directors, Officers and Company Liability Policy for members of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts® (NAREIT).

By successfully understanding the ever-changing commercial real estate marketplace, anticipating market trends and providing exceptional service to each of its insureds, The Hartford has become the nation's largest writer of directors and officers liability for REITs. It also offers the only NAREIT-sponsored D&O program.

"Whether it is Sarbanes-Oxley certification, the implications of a financial restatement, or decisions regarding a proposed transaction, we understand the impact of increased scrutiny on the REIT marketplace and have broadened our policy accordingly. The policy is specifically tailored to the REIT structure, making it easier for clients to understand and use," said Matt Shulman, vice president at The Hartford Financial Products, a division of The Hartford.

The new policy continues to provide customizable protection to meet the specific needs of the individual REIT. Among the enhancements in the latest version are state-of-the-art "non-rescindable Side A" coverage that stays in force even in the face of a material misrepresentation in the application, and broad severability language that preserves coverage for innocent insureds if the other directors or officers are found to have made such misrepresentations. Beyond these product enhancements, The Hartford continues to offer NAREIT members the added advantages of financial stability, competitive pricing, and long-term commitment to the REIT community.

"We have a dedicated underwriting department focused on REITs. This enables us to develop a competitive proposal for each REIT based upon its unique characteristics." Shulman said. "With our outstanding claims handling and financial strength, REIT directors and officers can continue to rely on us."

The NAREIT program is available exclusively through Frank Crystal & Co., one of the largest privately held insurance brokerage firms in the country. Frank Crystal has worked with agents and brokers for more than 18 years to meet their REIT clients' needs. For more information on the program, NAREIT members should contact: Ken Gamble, executive director at 212-504-2873; Craig de Gruchy, executive vice president at (212) 504-5926 or Patrick McCormick, associate director at (212) 504-1825.

For more information about the Directors, Officers and Company Liability Policy for members of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts® (NAREIT) and The Hartford's other financial products, brokers or agents can visit www.hfpinsurance.com or call Patricia Fitzgerald at 212-277-0457. Coverage is provided by The Hartford companies and may not be available in all states. See policy for actual coverage wording.

The Hartford is one of the largest financial services and insurance companies in the U.S., with worldwide revenues of $22.7 billion in 2004. The company is a leading provider of investment products, life insurance and group benefits; automobile and homeowners products; and business property-casualty insurance. International operations are located in Japan, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The Hartford's Internet address is 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. The Hartford cautions 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 The Hartford's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, its 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings it makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Hartford assumes no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.

This insurance program is sponsored by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. tm (NAREIT), but NAREIT takes no part in providing the insurance services in the program other than through licensing its name and logo. NAREIT does not approve, endorse, or certify any insurance product. NAREIT is not responsible and shall not be liable for any damages arising out of the placement of such insurance with its membership.