1

EXHIBIT 15.1


                              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 7, 1998 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, 1998.



                                                           /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP






Stamford, Connecticut
May 7, 1998


                                                                              11