<PAGE>
DEAN WITTER SELECT DIMENSIONS VARIABLE ANNUITY
HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SUPPLEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER 24, 1996 TO THE DEAN WITTER SELECT DIMENSIONS
VARIABLE ANNUITY PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1996
The subsection entitled "The Company" should read as follows:
THE COMPANY
Hartford Life Insurance Company ("Hartford Life") was originally
incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts on June 5, 1902. It was
subsequently redomiciled to Connecticut. It is a stock life insurance company
engaged in the business of writing health and life insurance, both individual
and group, in all states of the United States and the District of Columbia. The
offices of Hartford Life are located in Simsbury, Connecticut; however, its
mailing address is P.O. Box 2999, Hartford, CT 06104-2999. Hartford Life is
ultimately 100% owned by Hartford Fire Insurance Company, one of the largest
multiple lines insurance carriers in the United States. On December 20, 1995,
Hartford Fire Insurance Company became an independent, publicly traded
corporation.
Hartford Life is rated A+ (superior) by A.M. Best and Company, Inc. on the
basis of its financial soundness and operating performance. Hartford Life is
rated AA by Standard and Poor's and AA+ by Duff and Phelps on the basis of its
claims-paying ability.
These ratings do not apply to the performance of the Separate Account.
However, the Contractual obligations under this variable annuity are the general
corporate obligations of Hartford Life. These ratings do apply to Hartford
Life's ability to meet its insurance obligations under the Contract.
33-80738
