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 August 1, 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 June 30, 1997.





                                                  /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Stamford, Connecticut
August 1, 1997