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                                                                      EXHIBIT 15

                              Acknowledgment Letter

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Executive Risk Inc.

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 33-78414) pertaining to the Executive Risk Inc. Nonqualified Stock
Option Plan, Executive Risk Inc. Employee Incentive Nonqualified Stock Option
Plan, Executive Risk Inc. IPO Stock Compensation Plan, Executive Risk Inc.
Nonemployee Directors Stock Option Plan, and Option Agreements for Outside
Directors of Executive Re Inc. of our report dated May 2, 1997 relating to the
unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of Executive Risk Inc. which
are included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997.

Pursuant to Rule 436(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, our report is not a part
of the registration statement prepared or certified by accountants within the
meaning of Section 7 or 11 of the Securities Act of 1933.



                                    /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Stamford, Connecticut
May 2, 1997


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