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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-3 No. 333-      ) and related Prospectus of
Executive Risk Inc. for the registration of 1,150,000 shares of its common stock
and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report 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.
 
                                                 /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Stamford, Connecticut
August 8, 1997