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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-68771) of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. of our
report dated June 12, 2001 relating to the financial statements of the HCC
Insurance Holdings 401(k) Plan, which appears in this Form 11-K.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
June 25, 2001