UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 4, 2004

ZENITH NATIONAL INSURANCE CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-9627	95-2702776
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

21255 Califa Street, Woodland Hills, CA		91367-5021
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (818) 713-1000

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On October 4, 2004 the Registrant issued a press release on its estimate of its losses related to Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and it is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

The following exhibit is filed as part of this report:

Number		Exhibit
99.1		Press Release of Zenith National Insurance Corp. dated October 4, 2004

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		ZENITH NATIONAL INSURANCE CORP.


Dated:	October 4, 2004	By:	/s/ William J. Owen
			Name:	William J. Owen
			Title:	Senior Vice President
				and Chief Financial Officer

Index to Exhibits

Number		Exhibit
99.1		Press Release of Zenith National Insurance Corp. dated October 4, 2004