8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

October 10, 2005
(Date of earliest event reported)

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DE	001-13790	76-0336636
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

13403 Northwest Freeway, Houston, Texas	77040
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   713-690-7300

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
	[   ]	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
	[   ]	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
	[   ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
	[   ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events

The Company issued a press release dated October 10, 2005 announcing its estimated losses from Hurricane Rita.

A copy of the press release issued by the Company is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference and is also available at HCC's website at www.hcch.com.

The information contained herein shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

    Exhibit 99.1.       Press release dated October 10, 2005

SIGNATURE

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (Registrant)
October 10, 2005 (Date)	/s/   CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN Christopher L. Martin Executive VP & General Counsel

Exhibit Index
99.1	Press release dated October 10, 2005

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

HCC Estimates Rita Loss and Comments on Earnings Outlook

HOUSTON, Oct. 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HCC) announced today that the Company estimates a gross loss of $70 million from Hurricane Rita arising primarily from onshore and offshore energy, property, marine and other specialty lines of business. This loss is estimated to be $20 million net of reinsurance including reinsurance reinstatement costs, $13 million after tax, and will reduce third quarter earnings of the Company by approximately $0.12 per diluted share.

Stephen L. Way, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Rita represents a significant energy insurance claim and once again highlights the inadequacy of current rating levels in this class to pay for such losses." Mr. Way added, "Despite two major hurricane losses and a reinsurance commutation charge, we still expect to make a small profit in the third quarter and anticipate achieving record earnings for the full year due to the continuing strength of our other lines of business."

HCC is an international insurance holding company and a leading specialty insurance group since 1974, based in Houston, Texas with offices across the USA and in Bermuda, England and Spain. HCC has assets exceeding $6.0 billion and is rated AA (Very Strong) by Standard & Poor's and A+ (Superior) by A. M. Best Company.

For more information, visit our website at www.hcch.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.

CONTACT:  HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.
          L. Byron Way, Vice President
          (713) 690-7300