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its insureds larger policy limits and thereby enhance its competitive position in the marketplace. The decrease

in earned premium was partially offset by the effect of earned pricing increases, new business growth, lower

reinsurance costs and a decrease in reinstatement premium payable to reinsurers. Renewal retention has

decreased in 2007, primarily due to increased competition on national account business as well as in the

standard excess and surplus lines market. After experiencing significant rate increases throughout 2006 and

smaller rate increases for the first six months of 2007, written pricing decreased in the last six months of the

year. While new business decreased in the fourth quarter of 2007, new business increased for the full year,

largely because the Company had significantly curtailed new business in 2006 in order to reduce catastrophe

loss exposures in certain geographic areas.

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Source: HARTFORD FINANCIAL S, 10-K, February 12, 2009