Open Year Forecasts for Syndicates Under Hiscox

Hiscox PLC
29 November 1999



Hiscox plc 1997 and 1998 Open Year Forecasts for Syndicates Managed
by Hiscox Syndicates Ltd


The Syndicate forecasts shown below are after standard personal expenses 
but before Members' Agents' charges.  Standard personal expenses 
comprise managing agent fees and profit commission and all charges 
levied directly on members by Lloyd's.

Syndicate              Estimated Profit       Previous         Year of 
Account
                       % of Capacity for      Estimates        Capacity
                       a Natural Name              

1997 Account Estimates

Non-marine 33           0% to 5.0%            0% to 5.0%       £201m

Marine 52               0% to 5.0%            0% to 5.0%       £54m

Marine 625              -2.5% to 2.5%         0% to 5.0%       £115m

1998 Account Estimate

Composite 33           -2.5% to 2.5%          -2.5% to 2.5%    £360m


The 1997 and 1998 estimates have not been audited, nor have they been 
subject to independent actuarial review.  In each case the forecast is 
given as a projected return on capacity.  The final results of the 1997 
account will not be determined until March 2000 and the 1998 account 
until March 2001.  The development of these accounts will continue to be 
affected by unexpired risks and the final result will be influenced by 
the future development of claims and expenses, the eventual year end 
reserving exercise (including the reassessment of reserves required for 
the prior years) and the final level of investment earnings. Any of 
these features could vary these estimates substantially.



For further information please contact:

Robert Hiscox/Bronek Masojada, Hiscox plc on 0171 448 6000