1

                                                                     Exhibit 5.1

                      [Letterhead of Dewey Ballantine LLP]



                                                  May 11, 1998

Executive Risk Inc.
82 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070

Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Executive Risk Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing by the Company of
a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the registration of 1,250,000 shares of
common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Shares"), of the Company relating
to the exercise of stock options pursuant to the Company's Performance Share
Plan and Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plans").

     We have examined and are familiar with originals or copies, certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records,
certificates of public officials and officers of the Company and such other
instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the
opinions expressed below.

     Based on the forgoing, we are of the opinion that:

     1.   The issuance of the Shares upon exercise of options granted under the
Plans has been lawfully and duly authorized; and 
     
     2.   When the Shares have been issued and delivered in accordance with the
terms of the Plans, the Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.



                                                  Very truly yours,

                                                  /s/ DEWEY BALLANTINE LLP