HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. is a leading international specialty insurance group with offices across the United States and in Bermuda, Spain, Ireland and the United Kingdom. HCC's philosophy is the long term growth of shareholders' equity through capital preservation, diversification of operations and conservative investments. HCC has achieved an outstanding record of growth and profitability since its formation in 1974, through creative but disciplined underwriting, opportunistic expansion of existing lines of business and acquisitions. HCC's operations consist of underwriting agencies; intermediaries; and life, surety, and property and casualty companies which are rated AA- (Very Strong) by Standard & Poor's and AA- (Very Strong) by Fitch Ratings. In addition, HCC's major domestic insurance companies are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company. HCC specializes in diversified financial products; group life, accident & health; general aviation; property; marine and energy; and other specialty insurance. With its common stock trading on the New York Stock Exchange (Symbol: HCC), assets of $8.3 billion and shareholders' equity of $2.6 billion, the Company is well positioned for continued success.