Director Shareholding

Hiscox PLC
17 May 2001



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     17 May 2001


                                  HISCOX PLC



The Board of Hiscox has been notified that Robert Hiscox purchased on 16 May
2001 3,500 ordinary shares of 5p each in the Company at a price of 200p per
share. Following this purchase, his total beneficial shareholding is 7,829,046
ordinary shares, which represents 5.28 per cent. of the Company's issued share
capital.