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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of our reports, which include an emphasis paragraph
related to a change in the Company's method of revenue recognition for certain
contracts, dated March 21, 2001 relating to the financial statements and
financial statement schedules, which reports appear in HCC Insurance Holdings,
Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000. We also
consent to the references to us under the headings "Experts" in such
Registration Statement.



/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP
Houston, Texas
April 4, 2001