Exhibit 5.1

                  [THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
                              LETTERHEAD AND LOGO]

August 30, 2002

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Plaza
Hartford, CT 06115

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the sale by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., a
Delaware Corporation (the "Company"), of $300,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of its 4.70% Senior Notes due September 1, 2007 (the "Senior Notes"),
pursuant to a Pricing Agreement, dated August 26, 2002 (the "Pricing
Agreement"), between the Company and Banc of America Securities LLC and Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, acting as Representatives of the underwriters named
in Schedule I to the Pricing Agreement (the "Underwriters"), which incorporates
by reference the terms of the Underwriting Agreement General Terms and
Conditions, dated August 26, 2002 (the "Underwriting Agreement"), between the
Company and Banc of America Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, acting as Representatives of the Underwriters, I have examined
such corporate records, certificates and other documents and such questions of
law as I have considered necessary for the purposes of this opinion.

Upon the basis of such examination, I advise you that, in my opinion:

1.   The execution and delivery of the Senior Indenture, dated October 20, 1995
     (the "Indenture"), between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly
     The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association)), as trustee (the
     "Trustee"), and the Senior Notes have been duly authorized by the Company.
     The Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the
     Senior Notes have been duly executed by the Company and delivered to and
     paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of the
     Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement and, assuming the Indenture
     has been duly executed and delivered by the Trustee and the Senior Notes
     have been duly authenticated by the Trustee, the Senior Notes have been
     validly issued and constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the
     Company entitled to the benefits provided by the Indenture.

     The opinion set forth above is subject to the effects of (A) bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of
creditors' rights or remedies generally, (B) general principles of equity,
whether such principles are considered in a proceeding at law or equity, (C) an
implied covenant of good faith, reasonableness and fair dealing, and standards
of materiality and (D) limitations with respect to


enforceability of provisions of the Indenture providing for indemnification or
contribution, arising under applicable law (including court decisions) or
public policy.

     I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to me under the heading "Legal
Opinions" in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, I do not thereby admit
that I am in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the Act.

Sincerely,

/s/ Katherine Vines Trumbull

Katherine Vines Trumbull
Vice President and Corporate Secretary of
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.