EXHIBIT 32.01

                   THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
           AS ENACTED BY SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002



In connection  with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December
31, 2003 of The Hartford Financial  Services Group, Inc. (the "Company"),  filed
with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof (the  "Report"),
the undersigned hereby certifies,  pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 as enacted
by section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1)    The Report  fully  complies  with the  requirements  of  section  13(a) or
      section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2)    The information  contained in the Report fairly presents,  in all material
      respects,  the  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  of the
      Company.


Date: February 27, 2004

                                 /s/ Ramani  Ayer
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                 Ramani Ayer
                                 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer