The Hartford Insurance company is the oldest insurance company in the United States, as well as one of the largest. It conducts business on 4 continents, providing a plethora of services and products. The company's journey began on May 10th, 1810 when Nathaniel Terry incorporated Hartford Fire Insurance Company.

In 1835 after an enormous fire destroyed New York's financial district, The Hartford Insurance company's president, Eliphalet Terry used his personal finances to ensure the coverage of all of the damage claims that were filed, beginning The Hartford's legacy. During the mid to late 1800s The Hartford grew steadily, expanding to Ohio and later receiving policies from President Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee, future general of the Confederate Army in the impending American Civil War. At the end of the 1800s The Hartford is able to expand to San Francisco, California, enabling coast to coast operations.

The 1930s produced several impressive accomplishments for The Hartford, including contracting the bonds for the construction of both the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge. The company also insures famous Yankee slugger, Babe Ruth and expands their coverage capabilities to include accident, personal damage, automobile liability and business interruption among others. In the 1940s and 50s, The Hartford provided comprehensive liability insurance for the first meeting of the United Nations, insured Dwight D. Eisenhower, expanded their coverage to include life insurance and contracted the bonds for the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The 1970s brought change to The Hartford, being bought by ITT Corporation for $1.4 billion, effectively marking the largest corporate takeover to that date in the United States and renaming the company to ITT-Hartford Group, Inc. After the takeover, the company enjoys significant growth leading into the 1990s. Through the 90s ITT-Hartford Group expanded internationally and saw another interesting change as ITT Corporation streamlines its operations and releases a portion of its subsidiaries.

Following ITT Corp.'s streamlining the company was released, becoming an independent entity and renaming itself to The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Subsequently, the company expands further internationally, entering the U.K. investment market. The Hartford will be 200 years old in May of 2010.