HCC TO ACQUIRE ROCKWOOD PROGRAMS, INC.

HOUSTON (August 11, 2003) . . .
Stephen L. Way, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE symbol: HCC), announced today that the Company had reached an agreement to acquire Rockwood Programs, Inc. headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but it is expected to close shortly.

Rockwood’s operations are focused on the production and underwriting of specialty liability insurance lines such as Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) and Insurance Agents Errors & Omissions and gross premiums are expected to exceed $50 million in 2004. Glenn W. Clark, CPCU, formerly with Morefar Marketing / UNAT Direct Europe (AIG), will remain Rockwood’s Chief Executive Officer following the transaction. Mr. Clark founded the company in 1996 as a subsidiary of intermediary E.W. Blanch, which is now part of Benfield’s US operations. Mr. Clark subsequently purchased Rockwood in 2000 and established it as an independent underwriting agency.

Mr. Way said, “Glenn Clark brings with him the substantial marketing expertise employed to build Rockwood into a technology based, specialty programs administrator.” Mr. Way added, “While Mr. Clark will continue to oversee Rockwood’s operations, he will also become corporate V.P of Marketing for the HCC Group.”

Mr. Clark commented, “Our team is excited to become part of the HCC Group as we believe we will contribute significantly in marketing expertise, cross-selling between group companies and expert specialty program production and administration.”

HCC is an international insurance holding company and a leading specialty insurance group since 1974. HCC is rated AA (Very Strong) by Standard & Poor’s and A+ (Superior) by A. M. Best Company.


For more information, visit our website at www.hcch.com.

©2005 HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.