POWER OF ATTORNEY Exhibit (24) We, the undersigned directors of HSB Group, Inc., hereby individually appoint Robert C. Walker and Roberta A. O'Brien, and each of them singly, with full power of substitution to each, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them and each of them singly, to sign for us in our names in the capacities stated below the Form 10-K Annual Report, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 for HSB Group, Inc., and any and all amendments to said Form 10-K, and generally to do all such things in our name and on our behalf in our capacities as directors that will enable the Company to comply with the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which relate to said Form 10-K and the filing thereof, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys or any one of them to said Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Power of Attorney has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated. (Signature) (Title) (Date) /s/ Gordon W. Kreh President, Chief February 22, 1999 Gordon W. Kreh Executive Officer and Director /s/ Joel B. Alvord Joel B. Alvord Director February 22, 1999 /s/ Richard H. Booth Richard H. Booth Director February 22, 1999 /s/ Colin G. Campbell Colin G. Campbell Director February 22, 1999 /s/ Richard G. Dooley Richard G. Dooley Director February 22, 1999 97 (Signature) (Title) (Date) /s/ William B. Ellis William B. Ellis Director February 22, 1999 /s/ E. James Ferland E. James Ferland Director February 22, 1999 /s/ Henrietta Holsman Fore Henrietta Holsman Fore Director February 22, 1999 /s/ Simon W. Leathes Simon W. Leathes Director February 22, 1999 /s/ Lois Dickson Rice Lois Dickson Rice Director February 22, 1999 98