-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WcEQ+Vkwss8SlPn/Dlm5R+XeHDtmqtdSBHyaRePby2IE/T9KueHWkfiWadEQw9IH
 KZCpAbaKWxvH2wRhr3p/iw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-013242.txt : 20031223
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-013242.hdr.sgml : 20031223
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031223103201
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-013242
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031222
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031223

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RESOURCE LIFE INSURANCE CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001259051

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31599
		FILM NUMBER:		031069666

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AON CORP
		STREET 2:		200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LONDON GENERAL INSURANCE CO LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001259052

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31599
		FILM NUMBER:		031069665

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AON CORP
		STREET 2:		200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STERLING LIFE INSURANCE CO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001259055

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31599
		FILM NUMBER:		031069664

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AON CORP
		STREET 2:		200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMBINED LIFE ASSURANCE CO OF EUROPE LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001259056

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31599
		FILM NUMBER:		031069663

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AON CORP
		STREET 2:		200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ENDURANCE SPECIALTY HOLDINGS LTD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001179755
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4 PAR LA VILLE ROAD
		CITY:			HAMILTON HM 08 BERMUDA
		STATE:			D0
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		441-278-0400

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMBINED INSURANCE CO OF AMERICA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000022272
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31599
		FILM NUMBER:		031069667

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AON CORP
		STREET 2:		1000 N. MILWAUKEE AVE
		CITY:			GLENVIEW
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60025
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8479538000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O AON CORP
		STREET 2:		200 E. RANDOLPH ST
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AON CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000315293
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ACCIDENT & HEALTH INSURANCE [6321]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31599
		FILM NUMBER:		031069669

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3123811000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	COMBINED INTERNATIONAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19870504

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMBINED SPECIALTY INSURANCE CO OF AMERICA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001190220
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31599
		FILM NUMBER:		031069668

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 N MILWAUKEE AVE
		CITY:			GLENVIEW
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60025
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8479538000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		AON CORP
		STREET 2:		200 E RANDOLPH ST
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60601
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-22</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001179755</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ENDURANCE SPECIALTY HOLDINGS LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>enh</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000315293</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AON CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AON CORPORATION - CORPORATE LAW DEPT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET, 8TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001190220</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COMBINED SPECIALTY INSURANCE CO OF AMERICA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AON CORPORATION - CORPORATE LAW DEPT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET, 8TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000022272</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COMBINED INSURANCE CO OF AMERICA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AON CORPORATION - CORPORATE LAW DEPT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>200 EAST RANDOLPH DRIVE, 8TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001259051</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RESOURCE LIFE INSURANCE CO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AON CORPORATION - CORPORATE LAW DEPT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET, 8TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001259052</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LONDON GENERAL INSURANCE CO LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AON CORPORATION - CORPORATE LAW DEPT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001259055</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STERLING LIFE INSURANCE CO INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AON CORPORATION - CORPORATE LAW DEPT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET, 8TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001259056</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>COMBINED LIFE ASSURANCE CO OF EUROPE LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AON CORPORATION - CORPORATE LAW DEPT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>200 EAST RANDOLPH STREET, 8TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares, par value $1.00</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-12-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>18256</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>19.72</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>427905</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares, par value $1.00</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-12-22</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>48054</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>20.81</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>379851</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Ordinary Shares, par value $1.00</value>
</securityTitle>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>11552265</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>By Subsidiaries and Aon Pension Plan</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeHolding>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">The designated Reporting Person, Aon Corporation ("Aon"), is filing this Form 4 on behalf of itself, Virginia Surety Company (formerly known as Combined Specialty Insurance Company)("VSC"), Combined Insurance Company of America ("CICA"), Resource Life Insurance Company ("Resource"), London General Insurance Company ("London General"), Sterling Life Insurance Company ("Sterling") and Combined Life Assurance Company of Europe Ltd. ("CLACE").</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">Aon, VSC, CICA, Resource, London General, Sterling and CLACE share the address reported herein.  The I.R.S. Identification Numbers for the entities are as follows: VSC - 36-3186541, CICA - 36-2136262, Resource - 47-0482911 and Sterling - 13-1867829.  Neither London General nor CLACE has been assigned an I.R.S. Identification Number, as London General is incorporated under the laws of the United Kingdom and CLACE is incorporated under the laws of Ireland.</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">Aon indirectly beneficially owns the securities being reported herein due to its status as the parent corporation of VSC, CICA, Resource, London General, Sterling and CLACE.  Aon's subsidiaries own the following number of ordinary shares of Endurance: VSC - 8,735,294, CICA - 1,769,471, Resource - 150,000, London General - 115,000, Sterling - 100,000 and CLACE - 75,000.  Aon also is deemed to indirectly beneficially own 607,500 ordinary shares of Endurance held by the Aon Pension Plan.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Jennifer L. Kraft pursuant to a power of attorney from Aon Corporation</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Jennifer L. Kraft pursuant to a power of attorney from Virginia Surety Company</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Jennifer L. Kraft pursuant to a power of attorney from Combined Insurance Company of America</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Jennifer L. Kraft pursuant to a power of attorney from Resource Life Insurance Company</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Jennifer L. Kraft pursuant to a power of attorney from London General Insurance Company Ltd.</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Jennifer L. Kraft pursuant to a power of attorney from Sterling Life Insurance Company, Inc.</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Jennifer L. Kraft pursuant to a power of attorney from Combined Life Assurance Company of Europe Ltd.</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-23</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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