Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ Stephen L. Way
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              Stephen L. Way

                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ James M. Berry
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              James M. Berry



                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ Frank J. Bramanti
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              Frank J. Bramanti



                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ Patrick B. Collins
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              Patrick B. Collins



                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ J. Robert Dickerson
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              J. Robert Dickerson



                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ Edward H. Ellis, Jr.
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              Edward H. Ellis, Jr.



                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ Edwin H. Frank, III
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              Edwin H. Frank, III



                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR. FRANK J. BRAMANTI and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ Alan W. Fulkerson
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              Alan W. Fulkerson



                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI, and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ Walter J. Lack
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              Walter J. Lack



                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI, and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ Stephen J. Lockwood
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              Stephen J. Lockwood


                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ John N. Molbeck, Jr.
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              John N. Molbeck, Jr.


                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI, and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ Peter B. Smith, Jr.
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              Peter B. Smith, Jr.



                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and
appoints JOHN N. MOLBECK, JR., FRANK J. BRAMANTI, and CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN and
each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place, and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign the Form S-8 Registration Statement of HCC
Insurance Holdings, Inc. (the "Registrant") with respect to the HCC Insurance
Holdings, Inc. 401(k) Plan, to sign any and all amendments to same (including
post-effective amendments), and to file same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and/or any state securities department or any other federal or state
agency or governmental authority, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or any of them, whether substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.



December 10, 1998             /s/ Hugh T. Wilson
                         -------------------------------------------------------
                              Hugh T. Wilson