Hartford Financial profit rises on higher written premiums

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Hartford Financial Services posted a rise in third-quarter profit on Thursday as the insurer raked in more from its written premiums in both commercial and personal lines units.

Written premiums rose to about $3 billion from $2.78 billion last year in its commercial lines and to $869 million from $803 million in its personal lines, both reflecting an increase of 8%.

The company reported a combined ratio of 90.2% in its commercial lines unit, compared with 94.3% a year earlier. A ratio below 100% means the insurer earned more in premiums than it paid out in claims.

Hartford Financial posted core earnings of $708 million, or $2.29 per share, for the quarter ended Sept. 30, up from $472 million, or $1.45 per share, a year earlier. (Reporting by Pritam Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)