Press Releases - January 9, 2012

HCC INSURANCE HOLDINGS NAMES JONATHAN J. GREENWAY AS PRESIDENT OF AVEMCO INSURANCE COMPANY

HOUSTON (January 9, 2012) . . .
HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HCC) today announced the hiring of Jonathan J. Greenway as President of Avemco Insurance Company (Avemco) effective January 9, 2012.

Prior to joining Avemco, Mr. Greenway served as captain and check airman with American Airlines and more recently as the director of Safety for the AOPA Air Safety Institute. He is an aircraft owner and active flight instructor, and lives with his wife (Candy) and two daughters in Frederick, Maryland.

Mr. Greenway commented, "I have been passionate about air safety since I began flying at the age of fifteen and so it is a great honor to join the team at Avemco, an insurance company devoted to supporting general aviation safety."

Michael J. Donovan, President of HCC Aviation also added that "we are very pleased to have Jonathan Greenway bring his aviation experience and passion for safety to Avemco. We would also like to express our thanks and appreciation to the retiring Jim Lauerman whose 28 years of loyalty, expertise and leadership have helped to make Avemco the success that it is today." Mr. Lauerman will stay on with the company through June 2012 to assist with the transition.

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 September 30, 2011, HCC had assets of $9.6 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, "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.