HCC Announces 2011 Second Quarter Catastrophe Loss Estimates

HOUSTON, July 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.
(NYSE:HCC) today announced a $7.1 million pretax ($4.6 million after-tax)
increase in net catastrophe losses related to first quarter 2011 catastrophes in
Japan and New Zealand, due to revised estimates of the Company's exposures.
Year-to-date 2011 estimated losses from these catastrophic events, after
reinsurance and reinstatement premium, are $58.6 million pretax ($38.1 million
after-tax).

The Company estimates catastrophe losses related to second quarter 2011 United
States tornados, after reinsurance and reinstatement premium, of $14.7 million
pretax ($9.6 million after-tax). These catastrophes impacted the Company's
aviation, property treaty, property direct and facultative, and energy lines of
business, mainly in its International segment. The after-tax loss from these
second quarter 2011 events represents 0.3% of the Company's shareholders' equity
at December 31, 2010.

Year-to-date 2011 estimated catastrophe losses total $73.3 million pretax ($47.7
million after-tax). The Company's ultimate losses from catastrophic events may
differ materially from its current estimates due to the uncertainties involved
in making such estimates.

John N. Molbeck, Jr., HCC Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Although
worldwide industry catastrophe losses continue to be significant, HCC's
after-tax losses for all such events in 2011 represent 1.4% of our shareholders'
equity at December 31, 2010, which is within our expectations and within our
reinsurance programs."

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. is a leading
international specialty insurance group with offices across the United States
and in the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland. As of March 31, 2011, HCC had
assets of $9.3 billion and shareholders' equity of $3.3 billion. HCC's major
domestic and international insurance companies have financial strength ratings
of "AA (Very Strong)" from Standard & Poor's Corporation, "A+ (Superior)" from
A.M. Best Company Inc., "AA (Very Strong)" from Fitch Ratings, and "A1 (Good
Security)" from Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

For more information about HCC, please visit http://www.hcc.com.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made under "safe
harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and
involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The types of risks and
uncertainties which may affect the Company are set forth in its periodic reports
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: Doug Busker, Director of Investor Relations
HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Telephone: (713) 996-1192