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

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   (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



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