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, Option Agreements for Outside
Directors of Executive Re Inc. and in the Registration Statement (Form S-8
No. 333-52307) pertaining to the Executive Risk Inc. Performance Share Plan
and the Executive Risk Inc. Stock Incentive Plan of our report dated August 3,
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
June 30, 1998.

                                                        /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

August 11, 1998


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