Its main competitors include large insurers like MetLife ( MET ), Prudential ( PRU ) and AIG ( AIG ). Also the consumer is burdened with the higher cost of living and is left with less income to pay for insurance premiums. During 2008, the inflation rate in the U.S. rose to about 3.8% from 2.8% in the previous year, and during this period, Hartford Financial's operating margin declined from 16.6% in 2007 to about 0% in 2008.