March 2015

The Hartford changes driver underwriting

According to a recent announcement from The Hartford, the company has redefined the term "regular use" to include the use of an insured vehicle an average of one time per month or 12 times per year. Drivers who meet this criteria must be added to the insurance policy, whether they live in the house or not, or have their own car or insurance.

This change went into effect Feb. 21, 2015. PIA reached out to The Hartford for clarification on this change. Your association was told that this is an underwriting change only. No filings involving policy language have been made.

Since this is an underwriting change, claims involving undisclosed operators still would be paid.

This change applies in the following states: Connecticut, New Hampshire and New York. While this change does not affect New Jersey, many of PIANJ's members write insurance in the affected states, so they should be aware of the new definition. Also, New Jersey allows insureds to exclude named drivers, so even though all drivers would need to be listed, they can be excluded from coverage.