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The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company
HSB, formerly Hartford Steam Boiler, is a specialty insurer and reinsurer focused on equipment breakdown, cyber, AI risk, and smart-home coverage.
The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company
HSB began in 1866 as Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, originating the equipment breakdown insurance category. The firm has since expanded across specialty insurance lines and now operates as a reinsurer and technology risk underwriter. HSB provides coverage for equipment breakdown, commercial cyber insurance for auto, AI liability risk, and smart-home water and freeze detection via its Meshify line of sensors. The company partners with firms like Samsung Electronics to introduce connected-device insurance products (per HSB website, 2026). Its risk solutions also cover business interruptions from auto cyberattacks. HSB is based in Hartford, Connecticut, with a focus on US and global markets. The firm does not disclose total employment or premium volume. Its Trendspotters initiative highlights emerging technology and risk trends. What distinguishes HSB is its century-plus tenure as a first-mover in insuring industrial machinery, which evolved into a technology-forward stance on connected device and AI insurance, a niche few insurers occupy.
General information
Firm type
Insurance
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Hartford
Corporate office
Hartford, CT, United States
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
What does HSB's AI liability insurance cover?
HSB offers AI liability insurance designed to cover risks associated with the deployment and operation of artificial intelligence systems, including claims of IP infringement, privacy violations, and algorithmic errors. The product is targeted at businesses integrating AI into their operations.
How did HSB originate the equipment breakdown insurance category?
HSB was founded in 1866 and wrote the first boiler insurance policy in the United States. Its original business model involved inspecting steam boilers for safety before offering coverage, a practice that laid the foundation for the modern equipment breakdown insurance line.
Is HSB a standalone insurance company or part of a larger group?
HSB operates as a subsidiary of Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance groups, though it continues to underwrite under its own brand and maintain its own product lines and underwriting approach.
What types of cyber insurance does HSB offer?
HSB provides commercial cyber insurance tailored for auto-related cyber exposures covering business interruptions, along with general cyber liability policies for small and mid-sized businesses, including coverage for data breaches, extortion, and network damage.
Does HSB offer Internet of Things (IoT) or smart home insurance products?
Yes, HSB manufactures and sells its own line of smart home sensors under the Meshify brand, including the Meshify Slim flood and freeze detector. It partners with companies like Samsung Electronics to integrate smart home savings programs directly with connected devices.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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