EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports, which include an emphasis
paragraph related to a change in the Company's revenue recognition for certain
contracts, dated March 21, 2001, relating to the financial statements and
financial statement schedules, which reports appear in HCC Insuracne Holdings,
Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, and our
report, which include an emphasis paragraph related to a change in the Company's
revenue recognition for certain contracts, dated March 21, 2001, except for the
second paragraph of Note 2, as to which the date is May 28, 2001, relating to
the financial statements that appear in HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.'s Form 8-K
filed on June 14, 2001. We also consent to the reference of our Firm under the
caption "Experts" in such Registration Statement.


/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP

Houston, Texas
December 31, 2001