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The Hanover Gears Up to Offer Popular Connections(TM) Auto Product in Massachusetts

November 12, 2007

- Massachusetts Drivers to Benefit from New Product Innovations -

WORCESTER, Mass., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), a leading writer of auto, home and business insurance in Massachusetts, announced today that the company is driving to the finish line with plans to offer its popular Connections(TM) Auto product exclusively through its valued independent agent partners in Massachusetts.

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With Connections Auto, Massachusetts drivers will benefit from product innovations and competitive prices not currently available to Massachusetts drivers.

"We are very excited that the new environment now enables us to introduce our innovative Connections Auto product to drivers in Massachusetts," said Vincent Nieroda, president of The Hanover's Massachusetts personal lines group. "This will be the first of many improvements and innovations we will deliver to our agent partners and their customers."

The innovations The Hanover will introduce include:

Diminishing deductibles -- Collision damage deductibles will be reduced by $100 at each renewal, for each year a policyholder goes without a chargeable accident, up to a maximum of $500. For example, if a policyholder has a $500 collision deductible and does not have a chargeable collision for five or more years, the company will waive the deductible entirely if the policyholder is involved in an accident.

Lease/loan gap coverage -- This protection covers the difference between what a policyholder owes on his or her auto loan or lease and what the vehicle is worth before it is totaled. As a result, in the event that a policyholder is involved in an accident and his or her car is a total loss, Connections Auto will cover the unpaid balance on a lease or loan -- even if it is more than the value of the vehicle.

Accident forgiveness -- The Hanover under certain conditions will waive the surcharge for one at-fault accident under a driver's policy every 36 months.

In addition to these distinctive coverages, The Hanover also will make available new and innovative coverages such as expanded rental reimbursement, which pays eligible car rental costs for an extended time if an insured's vehicle is damaged in an accident, and new vehicle replacement cost, which pays for a new vehicle if an insured's vehicle is involved in an accident and declared a total loss within one year of purchase.

Available in 17 other states countrywide, Connections Auto has been highly successful because of its ability to offer competitive coverages, pricing and the fast quotes that consumers have come to expect.

The Hanover will request approval of Connections Auto from the Department of Insurance on November 19 and plans to offer the product for new and renewal business effective on or after April 1.

To help ensure that customers receive the best combination of coverage and cost, Connections Auto -- like all of The Hanover's products -- will be sold exclusively through a network of independent agents.

"Soon, Massachusetts drivers will be able to do what drivers across the country have been doing for years -- purchase their insurance from companies that are competing aggressively for their business," said Edward Ruhl, regional vice president at The Hanover. "But, new regulations and more choice often can be confusing. That's why we believe that the advice of an independent insurance agent will be more valuable than ever in helping customers to get the most out of their car insurance."

Connections Auto is part of The Hanover's total account solution for personal lines insurance, which is backed by responsive claims and customer service. The company's full suite of products also includes Connections Home, a unique approach to homeowners insurance; specialty coverage for ATVs, personal watercraft, jet skis, manufactured homes and collector cars; personal umbrella coverage; identity theft coverage and more.

*This material is provided for informational purposes only. For detailed coverage information, please refer to The Hanover's policy language.

About The Hanover

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), based in Worcester, Mass., is the holding company for a group of insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in Worcester; Citizens Insurance Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Mich., and their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents, and has been meeting its obligations to its agent partners and their customers for more than 150 years. Taken as a group, The Hanover ranks among the top 40 property and casualty insurers in the United States. For more information, please visit http://www.hanover.com.

    CONTACTS:
    Media Relations           Investor Relations
    Amy Lynn BanekSujata Mutalikabanek@hanover.comsmutalik@hanover.com
    (508) 855-4486            (508) 855-3457

SOURCE The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

Contact: Media Relations: Amy Lynn Banek, +1-508-855-4486, abanek@hanover.com, or Investor Relations: Sujata Mutalik, +1-508-855-3457, smutalik@hanover.com, both of The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.