EXHIBIT 23(a)


We  consent  to the  inclusion  in this  Post-Effective  Amendment  No. 1 to the
Company's  registration  statements  on Form S-8  (Registration  Nos.  33-36519,
33-4397 and  333-29605)  of our report dated January 27, 1997, on our audits and
the consolidated  financial statements and financial statements schedules of The
Hartford Steam Boiler  Inspection and Insurance  Company as of December 31, 1996
and 1995, and for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, incorporated
by reference in The Hartford  Steam Boiler  Inspection  and Insurance  Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K and 10-K/A, and to our report dated June 26, 1997, on
our  audits  of the  financial  statements  and  supplemental  schedules  of The
Hartford  Steam  Boiler  Inspection  and  Insurance  Company  Employees'  Thrift
Incentive  Plan Trust  Fund as of  December  31,  1996 and 1995 and for the year
ended December 31, 1996,  included in The Hartford  Steam Boiler  Inspection and
Insurance Company's Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.


/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

Hartford, Connecticut
December 19, 1997