Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Hartford Benefit Program?
The Hartford Benefit Program is a $3.5 million fund established to help homeowners pay repair costs associated with pyrrhotite damage in their foundations. The fund applies to both former and current holders of homeowners policies issued by any of the underwriting companies of The Hartford. To qualify, you must have first made a claim for and received a benefit from the Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company (CFSIC). Once your CFSIC claim has been paid, The Hartford Benefit Program may be able to provide an additional monetary benefit if needed.
Who is eligible?
Current homeowners policyholders of The Hartford who meet all Program criteria are eligible for up to $25,000.Former homeowners policyholders of The Hartford who meet all Program criteria are eligible for up to $10,000. The amount you’ll receive is subject to program terms and availability of funding. Your policy must have been in effect on or before January 8, 2019.
Who is not eligible?
Homeowners who have already obtained a judgment against The Hartford or entered into a settlement agreement with The Hartford regarding claims against The Hartford related to the presence of pyrrhotite in their concrete foundation are not eligible for the Benefit Program.
That means that if you've already sued The Hartford over pyrrhotite in your foundation and won a judgment, or sued The Hartford and settled, you won't be eligible for the benefit. If you’ve sued The Hartford and your case is pending or The Hartford won, you’re still eligible to enroll.
How do homeowners enroll in the Hartford Benefit Program?
- Starting on January 31, 2019, current and former policyholders of The Hartford can begin the enrollment process by visiting https://www.thehartford.com/foundations or by calling 800-243-5860.
You must already have filed a claim with the Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Company (“CFSIC”). You’ll need a CFSIC confirmation number to finish enrolling in The Hartford Benefit program.
What information is needed to enroll?
We ask for the following information to begin your enrollment in The Hartford Benefit Program:
- The names and contact information for all owners of the home.
- Address of the affected home.
- If known, the policy number of The Hartford policy that:
- was issued to the home owner(s);
- insures or previously insured the dwelling; and
- was in effect on or before January 8, 2019
- Confirmation that you have submitted an application to CFSIC.
- Whether your CFSIC claim is Type 1 or Type 2. You can read about the two types at CFSIC’s site, https://crumblingfoundations.org.
To complete your enrollment in The Hartford Benefit Program, we also need documentation from CFSIC showing that you have completed a Participation Agreement with CFSIC.
- When you apply to CFSIC, you’ll be asked if you are a current or former insured of The Hartford. They’ll also ask you if you want to participate in The Hartford Benefit Program. If you do, you will also be asked to provide your consent for CFSIC to share your application and a copy of your executed Participation Agreement with The Hartford.
When is enrollment complete?
Enrollment in The Hartford Benefit Program is complete once we have received all of the information listed above, including a copy of your CFSIC Participation Agreement. Your claim with CFSIC must be fully paid and closed by CFSIC before The Hartford can pay out any additional funds. Payments under The Hartford Benefit Program will be made in the order in which we receive completed CFSIC claims and are not based on enrollment date in the Program.
What happens after enrollment?
After your enrollment is complete, we’ll send you an email confirming whether your eligibility for The Hartford Benefit Program has been verified. If after 6 months we aren’t able to verify your eligibility due to missing information, we will put your enrollment in an “inactive” status until we receive the remaining information. We will send you an email if that happens.
What if a homeowner has already filed a claim with The Hartford and it is pending, has been denied, and/or is the subject of litigation?
You may enroll with The Hartford Benefit Program even if you have already filed a claim for pyrrhotite-related damages with The Hartford, regardless of the status of that claim.
Does enrollment affect my pending claim?
Enrollment will not affect any pending or future claims. However, if you do ultimately receive a benefit from The Hartford, you will be required to release The Hartford from any and all known and unknown pyrrhotite-related claims, and to dismiss any pending lawsuit against The Hartford.
Should a homeowner file a claim if they haven’t done so?
You can file a claim against your homeowners insurance for repair costs associated with pyrrhotite-related damage if you choose to. To learn more about how homeowners claims work as part of this process, refer to the information on the CFSIC site.