The Hartford posts P&C premium gains in Q1 2026, returns $617M to shareholders

The Hartford reported stronger first-quarter 2026 results, with higher earnings, improved underwriting in key personal lines, and continued premium growth across its property and casualty business.

For the quarter ended 31 March 2026, net income available to common stockholders rose 36% to $851 million, or $3.04 per diluted share, compared with $625 million, or $2.15 per diluted share, a year earlier. Core earnings also increased 36% to $866 million, with core earnings per diluted share up 40% to $3.09. The insurer said the quarter reflected continued underwriting discipline, premium growth, and higher investment income.

The Hartford’s chairman and chief executive officer, Christopher Swift (pictured), said the company’s first-quarter results were “strong”, adding that underwriting discipline, distribution capabilities, and customer focus continued to position the business well in a changing environment.

Personal Insurance recovery boosts The Hartford quarter

Property and casualty written premiums increased 4% in the quarter, while earned premium in the segment rose 6%.

In Business Insurance, net income climbed to $536 million from $477 million, and core earnings rose to $551 million from $471 million. The division benefited from 7% growth in earned premium, though results were partly offset by a swing from favourable prior-year development to unfavourable prior-year development and a slightly higher expense ratio.

Personal Insurance posted a sharp improvement, with net income rising to $139 million from $5 million in the prior-year quarter. Core earnings increased to $141 million from $6 million. The insurer said lower current accident year catastrophe losses and an improved underlying loss and loss adjustment expense ratio helped drive the gain. In auto and homeowners, pricing increases continued to outpace loss-cost trends.

In Employee Benefits, fully insured ongoing premiums grew 3%, with new business sales up across product lines. The segment reported a loss ratio of 71.7, an improvement from 71.9 a year earlier, while net investment income before tax increased to $131 million from $126 million.

The company also highlighted shareholder returns. The Hartford returned $617 million to stockholders during the quarter, including $450 million in share repurchases and $167 million in common dividends. Book value per diluted share rose to $66.58, while book value per diluted share excluding AOCI increased to $75.25. Trailing 12-month net income return on equity was 23.0%, and core earnings ROE was 20.3%.

Overall, the quarter suggested continued momentum for The Hartford, supported by premium growth, improved personal lines results, and steady capital management.

*Comparative figure shown from the first-quarter results summary.