Exhibit 99


                                                           MEDIA CONTACT:
                                                  Dennis Milewski (860) 722-5567
                                                        FINANCIAL CONTACT:
                                                     Jim Rowan (860) 722-5180


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                 HARTFORD STEAM BOILER COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF
                      KEMPER BOILER AND MACHINERY BUSINESS

HARTFORD,  Conn.,  July 13, 1998 -- The  Hartford  Steam Boiler  Inspection  and
Insurance Company (HSB) has completed its acquisition of the monoline boiler and
machinery  business of Kemper Insurance  Companies,  effective July 1, 1998. The
companies also completed an arrangement for HSB to reinsure boiler and machinery
coverage written as part of Kemper's  commercial package policies.  Terms of the
transaction were not disclosed.

HSB will provide jurisdictional inspections,  loss prevention and claim services
to Kemper insureds. In addition,  HSB purchased Kemper's ASME inspection service
business,  a fee-based  engineering  service that certifies  boiler and pressure
vessel compliance with codes and standards of the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers.

In 1997,  Kemper reported  equipment  breakdown  premiums of  approximately  $80
million and engineering fees for ASME inspections of $7.5 million. HSB also will
offer employment to Kemper underwriters, inspectors and engineering specialists.

"Not only did we acquire  Kemper's fine book of monoline  business," said Gordon
W. Kreh,  president  and chief  executive  officer of HSB, "but we are extremely
pleased to add the people who helped make that business a success. They give HSB
additional  strength  to grow and  technical  skills to help  customers  prevent
loss."

HSB  Group,  Inc.(NYSE:HSB)  is a global  provider  of  insurance  products  and
engineering  management consulting services.  HSB Group is the parent company of
The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance  Company,  founded in 1866 to
provide loss  prevention  service and insurance to  businesses,  industries  and
institutions. For more information about HSB, visit its website at www.hsb.com.

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