Online Insurance Service with Hemscott.net

Hiscox PLC
23 March 2000

HISCOX  PLC AND HEMSCOTT.NET CREATE ONLINE HIGH VALUE  HOUSEHOLD
INSURANCE SERVICE

Europe's  leading  high  net worth insurer,  Hiscox  plc,  today
announced a deal with hemscott.NET, the leading online  business
and  investment  services provider.  The  deal  launches  Hiscox
Online  as  the first specialist high value household  insurance
service available on the internet.

The   service   will  be  launched  commercially   in   May   on
www.hemscott.net.  In February Hemscott had over 830,000  unique
users  and over 19 million page impressions.  The Hiscox  Online
facility  fits  well  with Hemscott's profile,  and  Hiscox  are
currently  negotiating with other sites which have an  insurance
or  high  net worth focus, and attract professional  or  wealthy
clients.

Hiscox  Online  is  the only 'end to end' high  value  insurance
service  of  its  kind  giving  UK  customers  easy  access   to
specialist  home and contents insurance.  The target  market  is
net-savvy  high  net worth individuals who are comfortable  with
making purchases and managing their finances online.  The policy
gives  much  broader cover than conventional household  policies
and is specifically geared to people with valuable possessions.

By answering a limited number of questions a full quotation will
be  provided within minutes and insurance cover can be  effected
immediately.   The  policy will then be managed  online  by  the
client  in  much  the same way as an online bank  account.   For
example if a client buys new possessions which they wish to  add
to  their policy, they can update their details securely  online
whenever they want.  Claims can be made online or through  a  24
hour  telephone hotline, and for convenience, premiums are  paid
monthly   by  paperless  direct  debit  and  will  be   adjusted
automatically  if  the policyholder changes  the  scope  of  the
cover.

Policyholders will be able to obtain a wide range of  associated
information from the site.  This will include tips and advice on
home  security, and discounts on the services of Hiscox approved
valuers  and  security  products.  Specific  questions  on  home
security  can be posted by secure messaging service to the  site
and  Hiscox's own in-house head of security will reply by  email
or telephone.





ROBERT HISCOX, CHAIRMAN OF HISCOX PLC SAID:
  
This  is  the first fully automatic online insurance product  of
its  kind.   It  is fantastic news that we can  launch  it  with
Hemscott.   We  are  aiming  for  the  successful  executive  or
professional  who  wants  to  buy insurance  electronically  and
hassle-free.   Behind  the service is  the  Hiscox  team  -  the
leading  specialists  in the insurance of  personal  assets  and
safety.  Insurance from the best at the click of a button.

ROS WILTON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF HEMSCOTT.NET SAID:

Hemscott are delighted to be in partnership with Hiscox, and  we
look  forward  to a fruitful and exciting relationship  for  the
future.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Alex Gordon Shute, Hiscox plc               020 7448 6000
Philip Gawith, The Maitland Consultancy     020 7379 5151
Sue  Pemberton, Citigate Dew Rogerson    (hemscott.NET)020 7638 9571

NOTE TO EDITORS

HISCOX PLC
Hiscox  plc  is  the  UK's leading specialist  insurer  and,  in
particular, the leading provider of insurance to high net  worth
individuals  in  Europe.  The company offers  a  wide  range  of
specialist  insurance for professions and the growing industries
of   media,   technology   and   telecommunications,   including
cyberliability  insurance to protect companies  against  a  wide
range  of risks associated with the Internet and email.  Amongst
other areas, it also offers specialist insurance for kidnap  and
ransom,  fine art, commercial property and the energy,  shipping
and space industries.

HEMSCOTT.NET
hemscott.NET  is  a  leading  online  business  and   investment
services  provider,  offering  comprehensive  and  up  to   date
information and analysis on listed UK companies.  Established as
an  ISP portal in July 1999, hemscott.NET owns and operates  the
Hemmington  Scott  database  having  separated  from  the  print
business  in January 2000 to concentrate on the distribution  of
financial,  corporate  and  professional  information  via   the
Internet.

The  hemscott.NET website offers a range of free information  as
well  as  subscription only products and services to a  customer
base  comprised  mainly of members of the  financial  community,
their professional advisers and sophisticated investors.

A second website, hemscottlegal.com, was established in November
1999,  as  a global legal portal which the Company is aiming  to
develop  into  a leading medium of communication between  buyers
and sellers of legal services.