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Ford Credit and The Hartford to Offer Innovative Insurance Product

9 September 1999

Ford Credit and The Hartford to Offer Innovative Insurance Product

The Ford Motor Company Vehicle Insurance Program is designed for the owners
of more than 17 million Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicles across the U.S.

    DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 9 -- Ford has created a new
way to bring the cost of vehicle ownership down and save time for their
customers.  Creating the industry's largest independent marketing alliance
between an automotive manufacturer and an independent insurance and financial
services provider.  Ford Credit has joined with The Hartford to offer a Ford
labeled and endorsed insurance program for Ford and Lincoln Mercury owners.
    The Ford Motor Company Vehicle Insurance Program will offer auto coverage
to the owners of 17 million Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicles across the
United States.  Ford and The Hartford will launch a program in Florida, with a
nationwide rollout expected to be complete in about 12 months.
    "We are pleased to be joining with The Hartford for this special package
of insurance products and services tailored to the needs of our customers,"
said Philippe Paillart, chairman and CEO at Ford Credit.  "We feel The
Hartford was a good fit because they too have a strong customer focus."
    Specific benefits to Ford Motor Vehicle Insurance Program customers
ultimately will include:

    *  Competitive pricing and multiple ways to obtain a quote (phone, mail
and other channels);
    *  Program eligibility for all types of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury
vehicles;
    *  Speedy claims service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;
    *  $100 reduction in their collision deductible (where permitted by law)
for returning to a participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership or other
certified direct repair provider for guaranteed repair work (for as long as
the customer owns the vehicle);
    *  Full replacement cost on a new vehicle if a total loss, ultimately if
it occurs within the first 15,000 miles or 12 months of vehicle ownership;
    * OEM parts used in repairs for the duration of the manufacturer's
original warranty period, and the option of additional coverage and services,
including vehicle pick-up and delivery, towing and rental vehicles.

    "For The Hartford, this alliance with Ford reinforces our leadership
position in affinity marketing," said Stephen J. Hasenmiller, president of The
Hartford Personal Lines Company.  The Hartford has expertise in affinity
marketing dating back to 1984 and has affinity marketing programs with many of
the nation's top financial institutions and associations.
    The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. is one of the
nation's largest international insurance and financial services operations
with 1998 revenues of $15 billion.  As of June, 1999, The Hartford had assets
of $157.3 billion and shareholders' equity of $6 billion.  The company is a
leading provider of automobile and homeowners coverage; commercial property
and casualty insurance; reinsurance; and a variety of life insurance,
investment products, employee benefits, group retirement plans and
institutional liability funding products.
    Ford Credit is a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and is the world's
largest automotive finance company.  Ford Credit provides vehicle financing in
36 countries to nine million customers and more than 11,000 automotive
dealers, including more than 5,500 Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealerships in the
U.S.
    Ford Credit, through its subsidiary The American Road Insurance Company,
has been in the insurance business since its inception in 1959, beginning with
insurance to protect dealers' inventories.  With 40 years of experience in
offering or administering dealer and consumer insurance products, this program
will be a natural extension and a new way to benefit customers.