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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-24737) and related Prospectus of
Executive Risk Capital Trust for the registration of 125,000 shares of its
Series B Capital Securities and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
reports dated February 7, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Executive Risk Inc. incorporated by reference in its Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the related financial
statement schedule included therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
    
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Stamford, Connecticut
   
April 18, 1997