<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.27

                                CNA Ref: 44 FIR
                                ---------------

Reassured:-                CNA International Reinsurance Company Limited

Period:-                   Continuous contract in respect of all business
                           written by the Reassured and signed into their 1994
                           and subsequent Underwriting Years of Account

                           Subject to three months prior notice of cancellation
                           to expire at 31st December any year.

                           HEREON: SIGNING SLIP IN RESPECT OF 1997 UNDERWRITING 
                           YEAR OF ACCOUNT.

Type:-                     Quota Share Treaty

Class:-                    The Reassured's Account of PROPERTY CATASTROPHE
                           EXCESS OF LOSS TREATIES (including specific peril
                           aggregate excess of loss written for a single
                           territory) underwritten in their London Office.

                           Excluding the Reinsured's interest whether direct or
                           by way of reinsurance in loss arising from claim or
                           claims against an Insured by another party or
                           parties.

                           Notwithstanding the foregoing this reinsurance shall
                           not exclude:

                       (a) Workers' Compensation and/or Employers' Liability 
                           losses arising from the following perils:-

                           Fire, Lightning, Explosion, Structural Collapse,
                           Windstorm, Hail, Flood, Seismic Activity, Volcanic
                           Eruption, Collision, Riots, Strikes, Civil Commotion,
                           Malicious Damage.

                       (b) Any Physical Damage and/or Consequential loss
                           coverage contingent thereon effected by an Insured on
                           behalf of another party.

Territorial Scope:-        Worldwide excluding USA & Canada, other than 
                           incidental.

Treaty Detail:-            To take 50% Quota Share of the Reassured's
                           participation subject to a maximum cession hereon of
                           GBP 2,000,000 ($3,000,000) any one programme.
                           Cessions in currencies other than sterling at rates
                           of exchange as used in the books of the Reassured.

Rate:-                     Original Net Premium as Original.

Administrative
Processing Fee:-           4.0% on Original Net Rate.

Taxes:-                    As may be applicable on the original business.
<PAGE>
 
CNA Ref:44 FIR
--------------

Premium Reserve:-          Not applicable.

Loss Reserve:-             As may be applicable on the original business.

Portfolio:-                Agreed, if and when requested by the Reassured, to 
                           close each Underwriting Year of Account at any time 
                           after the end of the third year at an amount 
                           sufficient to cover all outstanding losses as may be 
                           mutually agreed.

Cash Loss:-                At Reassured's discretion, Minimum $5,000,000.

Accounts:-                 Quarterly Accounts in GBP and US$ separately on each 
                           year of account. Presentation within 45 days of end 
                           of quarter with settlement due within 30 days 
                           thereafter.

General Conditions:-       Monthly bordereau of risks ceded each January, 
                           February and March, quarterly thereafter.
                           Full Reinsurance Clause
                           War Exclusion G51
                           Nuclear Energy Risks Exclusion Clause
                           (Reinsurance) 1984, NMA 1975 (Japanese Amendment)
                           Nuclear Incident Exclusion Clauses - Physical
                           Damage Reinsurance - USA & Canada
                           Excluding Financial Guarantee and Insolvency
                           Maximum Net Premium ceded hereon $22m
                           Normal Maximum aggregate cession per country or 
                           territorial zone hereon GBP 30,000,000 exception is 
                           United Kingdom where maximum aggregate ceded 
                           is agreed at GBP 50,000,000.
                           Insolvency Clause G86.
                           Special cessions to be agreed by Reinsurers prior to 
                           binding Multi Year policies accepted by annual 
                           re-signing.

Wording:-                  As before as far as applicable, any amendments to be 
                           agreed.

Information:-              1997 Est. Net Premium Income US$ 15.4m (net of 
                           brokerage).
                           Underwriting Authority as follows:-

                           Ray Livesey VP             - Full Underwriting 
                                                        Authority 
                           Cliff Downing AVP          - Full Underwriting
                                                        Authority
                           John Byrne U/W             - New & Renewals
                           Simon Whelton Dep. U/W     - New & Renewals
                           Jim Harris Asst. U/W       - Renewals

HEREON:                    100% LaSalle Re



Signed  /s/  Graham Waite                    Dated        23\1\97
      .........................                   ...........................
       on behalf of LaSalle Re

<PAGE>
 
TITLE:                     NON-OBLIGATORY QUOTA SHARE
                           REINSURANCE AGREEMENT

BETWEEN:                   CNA INTERNATIONAL REINSURANCE
                           COMPANY LIMITED

                           AND

                           LA SALLE RE LTD

COMMENCING:                1ST JANUARY, 1994


<PAGE>
 
               NON-OBLIGATORY QUOTA SHARE REINSURANCE AGREEMENT
               ------------------------------------------------

                                 made between

                 CNA INTERNATIONAL REINSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED
                 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Reassured')

                                      and

                                LA SALLE RE LTD
                (hereinafter referred to as 'the Reinsurers')

PREAMBLE
--------

This Agreement is made and entered into between CNA International Reinsurance 
Company Ltd (hereinafter referred to as "the Reassured") and La Salle Re Ltd 
(hereinafter referred to as "the Reinsurers"), on the following terms and 
conditions.

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                   ---------

BUSINESS REINSURED
------------------

This Agreement applies to policies and/or contracts of insurance and/or
reinsurance allocated by the Reassured to its account of Property Catastrophe
Excess of Loss Treaties (including specific peril aggregate excess of loss
written for a single territory) written or renewed by the Reassured in its
London Office.

                                   ARTICLE 2
                                   ---------

COVER, LIMIT AND RETENTION
--------------------------

The Reassured may cede and the Reinsurers shall accept by way of reinsurance 
under this Agreement, 50% Quota Share of all cessions coming within the scope of
this Agreement, subject to a maximum Quota Share of cessions hereto of 
(pounds)2,000,000 or US$3,000,000 for any one programme.

The Reassured shall retain the remaining 50% Quota Share for its own account 
but, without prejudice to the above, shall be at liberty to protect that 
retention by way of reinsurance for its own account and benefit.

The maximum aggregate cession hereto per country or territorial zone is 
(pounds)30,000,000.
<PAGE>

                                    - 2 -

                                   ARTICLE 3
                                   ---------

TERRITORIAL SCOPE
-----------------

This Agreement shall cover wherever cessions hereto cover other than losses 
occurring in the United States of America and/or Canada except where such loss 
exposures are incidental to the main hazard.

                                   ARTICLE 4
                                   ---------

PERIOD
------

This Agreement takes effect on 1st January 1994 and applies to all business 
written or renewed by the Reassured and signed into its 1994 and/or subsequent 
Underwriting Years of Account.

This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless and until terminated
on 31st December 1994 or on any subsequent 31st December by either party giving 
to the other not less than three months prior written notice.

For the purposes of this Agreement, the term of and participations in this 
Agreement shall be divided into separate Underwriting Years, each for twelve 
months commencing on 1st January.

Each cession made by the Reassured and all accounting transactions relating 
thereto, shall be allocated by the Reassured to One Underwriting Year.

In the event of cancellation, all cessions in force at Midnight on the date of 
cancellation shall remain covered under this Agreement until their individual 
natural expiration or termination whichever occurs first.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article, either party
shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by giving the other party 
notice:-

(a)  if the performance of the whole or any part of this Agreement be prohibited
     or rendered impossible de jure or de facto in particular and without
     prejudice to the generality of the preceding words in consquence of any law
     or regulation which is or shall be in force in any country or territory or
     if any law or regulation shall prevent directly or indirectly the
     remittance of any or all or any part of the balance of payments due to or
     from either party;

(b)  if the other party has become insolvent or unable to pay its debts or has 
     lost the whole or any part of its paid up capital;
<PAGE>
 
                                     - 3 -

(c)  if there is any material change in the ownership or control     
     of the other party;

(d)  if the country or territory in which the other party resides or has its
     head office or is incorporated shall be involved in armed hostilities with
     any other country whether war be declared or not or is partly or wholly
     occupied by another power;

(e)  if the other party shall have failed to comply with any of
     the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

All notices of termination in accordance with any of the provisions of this
Article shall be by Telex or telegram and shall be deemed to be served upon
despatch or, where communications between the parties are interrupted, upon
attempted despatch.

All notices of termination served in accordance with any of the provisions of
this Article shall be addressed to the party concerned at its head office or at
any other address previously designated by that party.

In the event of this Agreement being terminated at any date other than its
natural expiry then the premium due to the Reinsurers shall be calculated upon
the Original Net Premium income of the Reassured up to the date of termination.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                                   ---------

FOLLOW THE FORTUNES
-------------------

The Reinsurers' liability to the Reassured in respect of all cessions under
this Agreement shall follow the liability of the Reassured to its reinsureds.

                                   ARTICLE 6
                                   ---------

FULL REINSURANCE
----------------

The Reinsurers agree to follow and abide by all agreements, actions and/or
settlements made by the Reassured and to agree, with or without notice, all
alterations and/or additions and/or extensions made under the original cessions
subsequent to the effecting of this Agreement, subject to the conditions of this
Agreement.

The Reinsurers expressly agree to pay in all respects as may be paid on the
original cessions liable or not liable, including in addition where applicable a
pro rata share of legal and/or other special expenses when incurred by the
Reassured.
<PAGE>
 
                                     - 4 -

                                   ARTICLE 7
                                   ---------

EXCLUSIONS
----------

This Agreement does not cover:

A.   any liability assumed by the Reassured for loss or damage directly or
     indirectly occasioned by, happening through or in consequence of war,
     invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities or war-like operations
     (whether war be declared or not), civil war, mutiny, civil commotion
     assuming the proportions of or amounting to a popular rising, insurrection,
     rebellion, revolution, military or usurped power, martial law, confiscation
     or nationalisation or requisition or destruction of or damage to property
     by or under the order of any Government or public or local authority.

     However, the foregoing exclusion shall not apply to those classes of
     business which are written in accordance with the War and Civil War
     Exclusion Agreement and/or the War and Civil War Risk Exclusion Agreement
     nor to business outside the scope of such Agreements unless such classes of
     business are not covered by this Agreement.

     In respect of losses arising in the United Kingdom only (other than in
     respect of losses arising under those classes of business covered hereunder
     which contain a War Inclusion Clause and such other classes of business
     covered hereunder for which there is no Market requirement for such other
     classes of business to contain a War Exclusion Clause by virtue of the
     operation of the War and Civil War Exclusion Agreement and/or the War and
     Civil War Risk Exclusion Agreement), this Agreement shall not cover any
     liability assumed by the Reassured for loss or damage directly or
     indirectly occasioned by, happening through or in consequence of any act of
     any person or persons acting on behalf of or in connection with any
     organisation the objects of which are to include the overthrowing or
     influencing of any de jure or de facto government by terrorism or by any
     violent means;

B.   the Reassured's interest whether direct or by way of reinsurance in loss
     arising from claim or claims against an insured by another party or
     parties.
<PAGE>
 
                                     - 5 -


     Notwithstanding the foregoing this Agreement shall not exclude:

     1)   Workers' Compensation and/or Employers' Liability losses arising from 
          the following perils:-

          Fire, Lightning, Explosion, Structural Collapse, Windstorm, Hail,
          Flood, Seismic Activity, Volcanic Eruption, Collision, Riots, Strikes,
          Civil Commotion, Malicious Damage;

     2)   Any Physical Damage and/or Consequential loss coverage contingent
          thereon effected by an insured on behalf of another party.

C.   Financial Guarantee and Insolvency.

D.   Nuclear Risks for those applicable classes of business and territories as
     appropriate in accordance with the clause referred to below and which shall
     form an integral part hereof, copies of which are on file with the
     Reassured:-

     NUCLEAR ENERGY RISKS EXCLUSION CLAUSE (REINSURANCE) (1984) - WORLDWIDE
     EXCLUDING U.S.A. AND CANADA - NMA 1975

     Notwithstanding the provisions this Clause, in respect of Japanese business
     certain liabilities, the type of which by market practice and custom have
     not been declared to the Japanese Nuclear Pool shall not fall within the
     scope of this exclusion.


                                   ARTICLE 8
                                   ---------

PREMIUM
-------

In consideration of the liabilities undertaken by the Reinsurers in accordance 
with the terms of this Agreement, the Reassured shall pay to the Reinsurers 
their 50% Quota Share proportion of the Reassured's Original Net Premium in 
respect of all cessions hereto.

The term "Original Net Premium" shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, be 
understood to mean the full gross amount of the premiums paid to the Reassured 
under the original cessions by their original insureds or reinsureds, less all 
original commissions, brokerage and taxes.

The maximum Original Net Premium to be ceded to this Agreement for any one 
Underwriting Year shall be $18,000,000.
<PAGE>
 
                                     - 6 -


                                   ARTICLE 9
                                   ---------

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING FEE
-----------------------------

The Reinsurers agree to allow the Reassured to deduct and retain for its own 
benefit as administrative processing fee 2.5% of the Original Net Premium 
payable to the Reinsurers in accordance with the terms of Article 8, "Premium".

                                  ARTICLE 10
                                  ----------
LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES
------------------------

All loss settlements made by the Reassured, whether under strict policy 
conditions or by compromise, shall be unconditionally binding upon the 
Reinsurers who shall be liable for their Quota Share proportion thereof and of 
all expenses (other than the salaries of employees and office expenses of the 
Reassured) incurred by the Reassured in connection therewith.

The Reinsurers shall benefit in their Quota Share proportion from any salvage or
recoveries effected by the Reassured for the benefit of itself and the 
Reinsurers.

Losses which the Reassured has paid shall be debited to the Reinsurers in the
quarterly accounts rendered in accordance with Article 11, "Accounts, Reports
and Payments" but, in the event of the Reassured sustaining a loss in respect of
which the 100% Quota Share proportion amounts to or exceeds $5,000,000 any one
occurrence, the Reassured shall have the option of requiring the Reinsurers to
effect payment as soon as practicable upon submission of proof of loss.

                                  ARTICLE 11
                                  ----------

ACCOUNTS, REPORTS AND PAYMENTS
------------------------------

The Reassured shall render a separate quarterly statement of account for each
Underwriting Year of Account during which this Agreement is in force showing a
total of all premiums ceded to this Agreement during such quarter. The Reassured
shall also furnish a separate quarterly loss statement for each such
Underwriting Year of Account, showing losses paid, loss expenses and salvages
coming within the terms of this Agreement and entered into the Reassured's books
during such quarter.



<PAGE>

                                    - 7 -

 
The quarterly accounts shall be rendered within forty-five days after the end of
each quarter. All accounts shall be rendered and settled in Sterling.

Balances due to the Reinsurers shall be paid on delivery of the accounts, 
balances due to the Reassured shall be paid together with the confirmation but 
not later than thirty days after the receipt of the accounts. In case of 
objections, however, the amount not in dispute shall be paid at once and the 
difference as soon as agreement has been reached.

The Reassured shall furnish quarterly bordereaux of cessions hereto.

                                  ARTICLE 12
                                  ----------

COMMUTATION
-----------

If mutually agreed by the Reassured and the Reinsurers, at thirty-six months
following the commencement of any Underwriting Year of this Agreement, or at any
time thereafter, the Reassured may discharge the Reinsurers from all and/or
further liability in respect of such Underwriting Year. The Reassured will
prepare a report evaluating loss reserves and liabilities to establish a basis
for the discussion of commutation. The payment by the Reinsurers of an amount
mutually agreed will constitute a complete and final release of the Reinsurers
in respect of all liability relating to such Underwriting Year.

                                  ARTICLE 13
                                  ----------

LOSS RESERVES
-------------

Where required by original ceding companies, outstanding loss reserves will be 
established by the Reassured and reference thereto shall be included in the 
quarterly bordereaux referred to in Article 11 "Accounts, Reports and Payments".

                                  ARTICLE 14
                                  ----------

CURRENCY
--------

The currency to be used for all purposes of this Agreement shall be Pounds 
Sterling. Cessions in currencies other than Pounds Sterling shall be converted 
to Pounds Sterling at the rates of exchange used in the Reassured's books.

<PAGE>
 
                                     - 8 -


                                  ARTICLE 15
                                  ----------

INSOLVENCY OF THE REASSURED
---------------------------

Amounts due to the Reassured under this Agreement shall be payable by the 
Reinsurers on the basis of the liability of the Reassured under the cessions 
hereto without diminution because of the insolvency of the Reassured.

In the event of the insolvency of the Reassured, the Liquidator or Receiver or 
Statutory Successor of the Reassured shall give written notice to the Reinsurers
of the pendency of any claim against the insolvent Reassured on the cessions 
hereto within a reasonable time after such claim is filed in the insolvency 
proceedings. During the pendency of such claim the Reinsurers may investigate 
such claim and intervene, at their own expense, in the proceedings where such a 
claim is to be adjudicated and interpose any defence or defences which they may 
deem available to the Reassured or its Liquidator or Receiver or Statutory 
Successor. The expense thus incurred by the Reinsurers shall be chargeable, 
subject to court approval, against the insolvent Reassured as part of the 
expense of liquidation to the extent of a proportionate share of the benefit 
which may accrue to the Reassured solely as a result of the defence so 
undertaken by the Reinsurers.

When two or more Reinsurers are involved in the same claim and a majority in
interest elect to investigate the claim and/or interpose defence to such claim,
the expense shall be apportioned in accordance with the terms of the above
paragraph as though such expense had been incurred by the Reassured.

Should the Reassured go into liquidation or should a receiver be appointed, the 
Reinsurers shall be entitled to deduct from any sums which may be or may become 
due to the Reassured under this Agreement any sums which are due to the 
Reinsurers from the Reassured under this Agreement and which are payable at a 
fixed or stated date, as well as any other sums due to the Reinsurers which are 
permitted to be offset under applicable law.

In the event of the insolvency of the Reassured, the amounts due to the 
Reassured under this Agreement shall be payable by the Reinsurers directly to 
the Reassured or to its Liquidator, Receiver or Statutory Successor.
<PAGE>
 
                                     - 9 -


                                  ARTICLE 16
                                  ----------

DELAYS, ERRORS OR OMISSIONS
---------------------------

No inadvertent delay, error or omission shall be held to relieve either party 
hereto of any liability which would have attached to them under this Agreement 
if such delay, error or omission had not been made, provided that rectification
is made immediately upon discovery.

                                  ARTICLE 17
                                  ----------

AMENDMENTS AND ALTERATIONS
--------------------------

The terms herein contained comprise the whole Agreement between the Reassured 
and the Reinsurers and may only be changed in writing, signed by or on behalf 
of both parties.

                                  ARTICLE 18
                                  ----------

ACCESS TO RECORDS
-----------------

All documents and records in the possession of the Reassured concerning this
Agreement shall be made available upon reasonable notice at the request of the
Reinsurers for inspection by the Reinsurers or their nominated representatives
for the purposes of obtaining information concerning this Agreement or the
subject matter hereof.

For the avoidance of doubt, the rights given to the Reinsurers by this Article 
shall continue in effect notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement and 
shall be exercised at the Reinsurers' own expense.

                                  ARTICLE 19
                                  ----------

OFFSET
------

Each party hereto shall have and may exercise in the event of the insolvency of
the other or the non-payment by the other of obligations where due hereunder,
the right to offset any balance or balances whether on account or premiums,
commissions, claims or losses, adjustment expenses, salvage or any other amount
due from that party to the other party hereto under this Agreement against the
balance or balances due or to become due to the offsetting party from the other
party under this Agreement.
<PAGE>
 
                                    - 10 -


                                  ARTICLE 20
                                  ----------

ARBITRATION
-----------

1.   All matters in difference between the parties arising under, out of or in
     connection with this Agreement, including formation and validity, and
     whether arising during or after the period of this Agreement, shall be
     referred to an arbitration tribunal in the manner hereinafter set out.

2.   Unless the parties appoint a sole arbitrator within 14 days of one
     receiving a written request from the other for arbitration, the claimant
     (the party requesting arbitration) shall appoint his arbitrator and give
     written notice thereof to the respondent. Within 30 days of receiving such
     notice the respondent shall appoint his arbitrator and give written notice
     thereof to the claimant, failing which the claimant may apply to the
     appointor hereafter named to nominate an arbitrator on behalf of the
     respondent.

3.   Before they enter upon a reference the two arbitrators shall appoint a
     third arbitrator. Should they fail to appoint such a third arbitrator
     within 30 days of the appointment of the respondent's arbitrator then
     either of them or either of the parties may apply to the appointor for the
     appointment of the third arbitrator. The three arbitrators shall decide by
     majority. If no majority can be reached the verdict of the third arbitrator
     shall prevail. He shall also act as chairman of the tribunal.

4.   Unless the parties otherwise agree the arbitration tribunal shall consist
     of persons (including those who have retired) with not less than ten years
     experience of insurance or reinsurance as persons engaged in the industry
     itself or as lawyers or other professional advisers.

5.   The arbitration tribunal shall, so far as is permissible under the law and
     practice of the place of arbitration, have power to fix all procedural
     rules for the holding of the arbitration including discretionary power to
     make orders as to any matters which it may consider proper in the
     circumstances of the case with regard to pleadings, discovery, inspection
     of the documents, examination of witnesses and any other matter whatsoever
     relating to the conduct of the arbitration and may receive and act upon
     such evidence whether oral or written strictly admissible or not as it
     shall in its discretion think fit.
<PAGE>
 
                                     -11-


6.   The appointor shall be the Chairman for the time being of ARIAS (UK) or if
     he is unavailable or it is inappropriate for him to act for any reason,
     such person as may be nominated by the Committee of ARIAS (UK). If for any
     reason such persons decline or are unable to act, then the appointor shall
     be the Judge of the appropriate Courts having jurisdiction at the place of
     arbitration.

7.   All costs of the arbitration shall be determined by the arbitration
     tribunal who may, taking into account the law and practice of the place of
     arbitration, direct to and by whom and in what manner they shall be paid.

8.   The place of arbitration may be chosen by the parties, but in default of
     such choice, the place of arbitration shall be London, England.

9.   The proper law of this Agreement shall be the law of England.

10.  The award of the arbitration tribunal shall be in writing and binding upon
     the parties who consent to carry out the same.

                                  ARTICLE 21
                                  ----------

PARTICIPATION
-------------

This Agreement obligates the Reinsurers for their proportion of the interests 
and liabilities set forth in this Agreement.
<PAGE>
 
                                    - 12 - 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have, by their duly authorised 
representative, executed this Agreement as follows:


Signed in London, England, this 11th day of April 1994


For and on behalf of the Reassured:   /s/  H. Simons

CNA INTERNATIONAL REINSURANCE CO. LTD

And

Signed in Hamilton, Bermuda, this 26th day of September 1994.


For and on behalf of the Reinsurers.   /s/ Guy Hengesbaugh
                                           Guy Hengesbaugh
                                           Chief Underwriter

     LASALLE RE LIMITED