EXHIBIT 10.18
  AMENDED
    AND RESTATED
    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
  AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Agreement Effective Date Executive HCC Parties Party 
  RECITALS:
  WHEREAS,
  WHEREAS,
  WHEREAS,
  WHEREAS, Original
    Agreement
  NOW, THEREFORE,
  AGREEMENT
  1.
    Termination
    of Original Agreement and
    Term.  (a)
  (b) Term Expiration Date
  2.
    Duties.  (a) Duties as Executive of
    HCC. CEO COO




---



##### 



(b) Other Duties.
  (1) Affiliates
  (2)
  3.
    Compensation
    and Related
    Matters.  (a) Base Salary. Base Salary
  (b) Bonus Plan.
  (1) and/or Sections 4(c) 4(d)
  (2) Section 3(b)(1)
  (c) Expenses.
  (d) Other Benefits. Section 3(a)
 2




---



##### 



(e) PTO (Paid Time Off). year-to-year.
  (f) Perquisites. Appendix 1
  (g) Proration. Appendix 1
  (h) Stock Options. Exhibit 3(h)
  4.
    Termination.  (a) Definitions.
  (1) Cause
    Fraud
  nolo contendere
        (2) Disability
  (3) Good Reason
   3




---



##### 



(4) Termination Date
  (5) Change of Control
  Rule 13d-3
      (6) Special Reason
  (b) Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason:
    Benefits. Termination Event
  (1) Section 3(a) 90-day
 4




---



##### 



(2) Section 3(c)
  (3) Section 4 Section 5
  (c) Termination In Event of Death:
    Benefits. Section 3(c) Section 3(b) Section 3(b)
  (d) Termination In Event of Disability:
    Benefits. Section 3(c) Section 3(b) Section 3(b)
  (e) Voluntary Termination by Executive and
    Termination for Cause: Benefits. provided, however Section 3(c)
  (f) Voluntary Termination by Executive after a Change
    of Control: Benefits.
  (1) Section 3(a) 90-day
 5




---



##### 



(2) Section 3(c)
  (3) Section 4 Section 5
  (g) Voluntary Termination by Executive for Special
    Reason: Benefits.
  (1) Section 3(a) 90-day Section 17(a)
  (2) Section 3(c)
  (3) Section 4 Section 5
  (h) Director and Officer
    Positions. and/or
  5. Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and
    Confidentiality. Specialized Training
 6




---



##### 



(a) Non-Competition During
    Employment. provided,
    however
  (b) Conflicts of
    Interest. Conflict of Interest and/or
  (c) Non-Competition After
    Termination. Restricted Period
  (d) Confidential
    Information. Confidential Information Confidential
    Information
 7




---



##### 



(e) Non-Solicitation. Non-Solicitation Period and/or
  (f) Return of Documents, Equipment,
    Etc. and/or
  (g) Reaffirm Obligations.
  (h) Prior Disclosure.
  (i) No Previous Restrictive
    Agreements.
  (j) Breach. Sections 5(a) (f) and/or
 8




---



##### 



(k) Right to Enter Agreement; Payment of
    Loans.
  (l) Enforceability. Section 5
  (m) Survivability. Section 5
  (n) Reformation. Sections 5(c) (e)
  6. Assignment. provided,
    however Section 4(a)(3) Section 4(a)(3)(iii)
  7. Binding Agreement.
  8. Notices.
  If to Executive:

Cory Moulton
    23 Saddle Ridge Road
    Pound Ridge, NY 10576-1111If to HCC:

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.
    13403 Northwest Freeway
    Houston, Texas 77040
    Attn:  General Counsel
    Fax: (713) 744-9648   9. Waiver.
  10. Severability.
  11. Entire Agreement.
 9




---



##### 



12. Modification of
    Agreement.
  13. Understand
    Agreement.
  14. Governing Law.
  15. Jurisdiction and Venue. and/or and/or
  16. Tolling. Sections 5(c) (e)
  17. Compliance With Section 409A.
  (a) Delay in
    Payments. Code
  (b) Overall Compliance. Section 17(b) provided,
    however Section 17(b) Section 17(b)
  (c) Reformation.
  [signature
    page follows]
 10




---



##### 



IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
  EXECUTIVE:

HCC:
    HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc./s/  Cory
    L. MoultonCory
    L. Moulton

By:

/s/  Frank
    J. BramantiFrank
    J. Bramanti,
    Chief Executive OfficerDate:

Aug. 22,
    2008

Date:

October 22,
    2008Acknowledged by:By:

/s/  John
    N. Molbeck, Jr.John
    N. Molbeck, Jr.,
    President and Chief Operating OfficerDate:

Aug. 22,
    2008




---



##### 



APPENDIX 1
    PERQUISITES
        Relocation Agreement




---



##### 



Exhibit 3(h)
  Option
    Vesting and Exercise Provisions
  Termination
    of
    Employment .
  Employment Agreement
           Exhibit 3(h)




---



##### 



Relocation
    Policy and Reimbursement Agreement
          713-744-9634)
  W-2. W-2 W-2)
  Form W-2, gross-up
              a.
    The cost of normal household moving service from the former
    permanent residence to the new residence.




---



##### 



b.
    The cost for normal moving services including packing of normal
    household effects for shipment and unpacking and placement of
    household goods at the new residence.c.
    The Company will pay for full replacement valuation at released
    value of $3.50 times the shipping weight. If the coverage is
    determined by you as not sufficient, additional coverage can be
    purchased at your own expense.d.
    The cost of normal move via moving van or auto carrier for two
    personal vehicle from the former permanent residence to the new
    residence.e.
    The normal cost of storage during the period you are in
    temporary housing.    a.
    Moving or shipment of items such as livestock, boats, shrubs,
    construction materials, additional cars, or similar items
    requiring special handling.b.
    Removal or installation of permanently fixed items such as
    lighting fixtures, fencing, patios, fireplaces, etc.c.
    Assembly or disassembly of, pool tables, waterbeds, outdoor
    fixtures, appliances, etc.d.
    Purchase of fixtures, appliances, equipment, or materials for
    new residence.e.
    Tips or gifts to moving company employees.f.
    Any services performed by you, your dependents or relatives.  6.
    When you sell your primary residence, you will be reimbursed for
    the following costs, including but not limited to:  a.
    Real estate commission (limited to prevailing local rate, but
    not to exceed seven percent (7%)). If you should sell your home
    without a real-estate agent, you will receive 2% of the selling
    price as a bonus.          7.
    With respect to the sale of your primary residence located at 23
    Saddle Ridge Road, Pound Ridge, NY
    10576-1111
    (the Property):  a.
    If such sale occurs on or before October 15, 2008, you will
    be reimbursed for the difference between the actual sale price
    (defined as the gross sale price, less any amounts paid by you
    and directly connected with the sale of the Property that are
    not otherwise reimbursed to you pursuant to this Agreement) of
    the Property and $1.5 million; orb.
    If such sale does not occur by October 15, 2008, you will
    receive a payment equal to your Equity in the Property (where
    Equity is defined as $1.5 million, less
    (i) all outstanding balances under all mortgages, other
    liens, taxes and assessments outstanding on the Property,
    (ii) all costs to required to cure defects in title,
    (iii) all amounts necessary to make reasonable
    and/or
    customary repairs requested by the Company in connection with an
    inspection report,




---



##### 



and (iv) prorated items such as interest, property taxes
    and assessments that are prorated through October 15,
    2008) provided that in consideration of such payment:  (i)
    upon the request of the Company, you shall either (x)
    transfer and convey to the Company or its designee good and
    marketable title for the Property or (y) execute a deed
    in blank, a power of attorney
    and/or any
    other documentation required to enable the Company or its
    designee to market the Property and complete its sale;(ii)
    you shall otherwise cooperate with the Company or its designee
    in the marketing and sale of the Property; and  a.
    you shall make reasonable and customary disclosures,
    representations and warranties.  8.
    When you purchase a residence to be used as your primary
    residence in Houston, you will be reimbursed for customary
    buying cost, including, but not limited to:    b.
    Cost of building inspection, plot survey, and termite
    inspection, if required by mortgage lending institution.c.
    Title insurance premium (only if specifically required by state
    statute or mortgage lending institution).                  9.
    The Company will provide transportation for you and your family
    at the time of the move by air transportation (coach or economy
    class). At the time of the move, if you drive your family to
    Houston, you will be paid daily expenses of $400 not to exceed a
    total of $2,000. If air transportation is chosen as the travel
    method, please contact the Companys Corporate Travel
    Department for assistance with making reservations. Eight days
    advance notice is required.




---



##### 



gross-up
    e-mail rrinicella@hcc.com (713-744-9648).
    Signature: /s/  Cory
    L. Moulton           Cory
    L. Moulton

Date: Aug. 22, 2008




---



#####