Exhibit 99.1

              Navigators Announces Estimated Hurricane Rita Impact


    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 2005--The Navigators Group,
Inc. (NASDAQ:NAVG) announced today that its estimated after-tax net
loss from Hurricane Rita will approximate $9.0 million or $0.70 per
share in the 2005 third quarter. A substantial portion of the
Company's anticipated loss emanates from offshore energy exposures in
the Gulf of Mexico.
    The Company's estimate is based upon the best information
currently available to us and was developed from a combination of
preliminary claims notifications received from brokers and insureds,
portfolio modeling based upon the storm track of Hurricane Rita and
the Company's own internal assessment of the exposures insured under
individual policies.
    The net loss estimate is inclusive of expected reinsurance
recoveries and related reinsurance reinstatement premiums. Based upon
management's current estimate of ultimate loss, management believes
the Company's gross claims are contained within the Company's
reinsurance program.
    The Navigators Group, Inc. is an international insurance holding
company with insurance company operations, underwriting management
companies, and operations at Lloyd's of London. Headquartered in New
York City, Navigators has offices in major insurance centers in the
United States, the United Kingdom and Belgium.

    This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Whenever used in this release, the words "estimate", "expect",
"believe" or similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. We cannot assure that results which we
anticipate will be achieved, since results may differ materially
because of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which we face.
Please refer to Navigators' most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q and its
other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a
description of Navigators' business and the important factors which
may affect that business. Navigators undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.



    CONTACT: The Navigators Group, Inc.
             Paul J. Malvasio, 914-933-6088
             Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
             pmalvasio@navg.com
             www.navg.com