The Hartford's Omni Unit Expands To 17 States

Omni Insurance Group, a subsidiary of The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., announced that it is writing non-standard auto insurance business in four additional states, bringing its coverage area to 17 states. Omni, founded in 1986, was acquired by The Hartford earlier this year.

With the newest states—California, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Wisconsin—and filings for additional states under way, the company plans to reach its goal of writing non-standard auto policies for higher-risk drivers and vehicles in 21 states by the end of 1998.

Stephen Hasenmiller, president of The Hartford's Personal Lines company, said, "The momentum of Omni's expansion strategy supports The Hartford's goal to be a significant player in the non-standard auto insurance sector, and our desire to be a one-stop provider of personal automobile and homeowners' insurance. With the increasing availability of Omni's non-standard product, coupled with other products in The Hartford's personal lines portfolio, we hope to become the premiere resource in meeting the total needs of insurance agents and consumers."

Paul Kennedy, president of Omni, added, "We want to be an agent's first choice for specialty auto insurance. To do so, we've developed highly automated processes and services to assist agents in doing business with us to reach those consumers who otherwise might have difficulty in finding affordable, reliable insurance. Our specialty in non-standard auto policies means we are singularly focused in meeting the specific needs of consumers who do not fit into the classic insurance categories."

Following The Hartford's acquisition, the accessibility of the Omni product through both The Hartford and Omni independent agents grew from a base of some 4,000 to more than 6,000 agents today. Omni's non-standard auto policy also is available to AARP members through The Hartford's Personal Lines Insurance Center, and to affinity groups such as customers of financial institutions.

To date, Omni is writing non-standard auto insurance in the following states: Alabama; California; Connecticut; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; Missouri; Ohio; Pennsylvania; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia; and Wisconsin.