The Hartford Recognizes the Hylant Group as the VIP Agency of the Year

TOLEDO, Ohio - May 22, 2006 - The Hartford Financial Services Group has honored Hylant Group Inc., headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, with The Hartford’s VIP Agency of the Year Award for 2005 for Risk Management. The VIP Agency Award recognizes property-casualty agencies in The Hartford's VIP Program for being The Hartford's top producer in a specific business segment. Agencies must meet specific annual growth, retention and profit objectives in order to participate in the VIP Program. More than 11,000 independent property-casualty agencies represent The Hartford.

Hylant Group was appointed to represent The Hartford in 1980 and was named a VIP agency in 1991 & 2003. Chairman and CEO Patrick Hylant, commented, “We have a great partnership with The Hartford and are honored to receive this award.”

The Hylant Group, founded in 1935, is the 27th largest insurance agency in the United States. For over 70 years we have been providing exceptional service to our clients and exceeding their expectations. With a team of over 625 insurance professionals, we are positioned to service our clients locally and around the globe. The key to our sustained growth has been our vision: to provide quality insurance, risk management, employee benefits, and financial services to our clients. The key to our success is the selection, professional development, and retention of our people.

The Hartford is one of the nation's largest investment and insurance companies, with 2005 revenues of $27.1 billion. The Hartford is a leading provider of investment products – annuities, mutual funds, college savings plans – as well as life insurance, group and employee benefits, automobile and homeowners' insurance, and business insurance. The Hartford's Internet address is www.thehartford.com.