EXHIBIT 99.1
THE
HARTFORD
                                                                  NEWS RELEASE
                                            Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06115



 Date:               November 16, 1998
 For Release:        Upon Receipt
 Contact:            Sue Honeyman                     Steve Minihan

                          Media Relations                 Investor Relations
                          Office: 860/547-4976            Office: 860/547-2403

                                          
            THE HARTFORD CLOSES SALE OF UK SUBSIDIARY TO NORWICH UNION 

HARTFORD, CONN. -- The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE: HIG) has 
completed a previously announced agreement to sell its United Kingdom-based 
London & Edinburgh Insurance Co. subsidiary to Norwich Union for L315 million 
(approximately US $525 million).

     London & Endinburgh is the UK's sixth-largest general insurance company 
ranked by net written premium, specializing in household, motor, creditor and 
commercial insurance, as well as a small credit life insurance operation.  
Year-end 1997 revenue was US $1.2 billion.

     Norwich Union, a leading provider of general and life insurance sold 
through intermediaries in the UK, has purchased the ongoing operations of 
London & Edinburgh.  The Hartford has retained ownership of Excess Insurance 
Co. Ltd., London & Edinburgh's property casualty insurance and reinsurance 
subsidiary, which is in run-off.

     The Hartford's international presence continues to include insurance, 
financial services and reinsurance operations in the UK, Canada, Europe, 
Latin America and Asia.

     The Hartford is one of the nation's oldest and largest international 
insurance and financial services operations, with 1997 revenues of $13.3 
billion.  As of September 30, 1998, The Hartford has assets of $141.1 billion 
and shareholders equity of $6.4 billion.  The company is a leading provider 
of commercial property and casualty insurance; automobile and homeowners 
coverages; and a variety of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and 
asset management plans.

                                          
               THE HARTFORD'S INTERNET ADDRESS IS WWW.THEHARTFORD.COM
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