As The Hartford celebrates its bicentennial in 2010, it proudly spotlights great moments in its 200-year history—providing contract bonds for construction of the Hoover Dam and Golden Gate Bridge, issuing policies to Abraham Lincoln, Babe Ruth and other notables, and handling claims from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906.

The Hartford’s 200th anniversary was formally saluted on May 10, 2010, when company officials rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Many years before that date, of course, The Hartford raised the curtain on its efforts to work with agency partners who focus on program administration. The company has been writing programs for more than two decades and began its partnership with the Target Markets Program Administrators Association (TMPAA) in 2005.

 “Our membership within the TMPAA and the networking opportunities it offers have helped us grow our portfolio to 54 active programs,” says Richard Suter, assistant vice president of program business development for The Hartford’s Captive & Specialty Programs segment. “Given the association’s program focus, we always find value in sponsoring and attending the national meetings.”

According to Suter, The Hartford is off to a great start in 2010, with six new programs up and running as of July. “This puts us on pace to hit our goal of 10 new programs by year’s end.”

 “Our flexibility and the strength of The Hartford brand are key reasons for our continuing growth with programs,” states Scott Stevens, The Hartford’s assistant vice president of Specialty Programs. “We are one of the few program markets that can offer an all-lines solution in all states—including workers compensation.”

Vice President Deborah Bibbins, who heads The Hartford’s Captive & Specialty Programs segment, adds, “One aspect of our flexibility is our capability to share risk with our program administrators through either a captive arrangement or a sliding scale commission model.”

Among the best-known program categories in which The Hartford specializes is higher hazard transportation. One of its most popular aspects is the Specialized Truck Equipment Program (STEP), which covers manufacturers that attach truck bodies to ambulances, trailers, fire trucks, dump bodies and other rolling stock. Programs for tow trucks, taxi cabs, limousines, school buses, paratransit and long-haul trucking are also within The Hartford’s transportation capabilities. “The Hartford is pleased to be one of the insurance market leaders in these industries,” said Stevens.

Some of The Hartford’s other administered programs include: long-term health care facilities, equipment dealers, craft breweries, workers compensation for maritime employees, scrap metal dealers, water well drillers, entertainment rental, and security guards.

To learn how your agency can benefit by associating with The Hartford, contact Richard Suter, assistant vice president, program business development, at 860-547-4470 or richard.suter@thehartford.com.