<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 24.1
 
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, the Chairman of the
Board of PMA Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby
makes, designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 17th
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ Frederick W. Anton III
                                   --------------------------
                                   Frederick W. Anton III
<PAGE>
 
   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 17th
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ Paul I. Detwiler, Jr.
                                   -------------------------
                                   Paul I. Detwiler, Jr.
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 17th
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ Joseph H. Foster
                                   --------------------
                                   Joseph H. Foster
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on Form 
        S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 17th
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ Anne S. Genter
                                   ------------------
                                   Anne S. Genter
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 17th
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ James F. Malone, III
                                   ------------------------
                                   James F. Malone, III
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 23rd
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ A. John May
                                   ---------------
                                   A. John May
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 17th
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ Louis N. McCarter, III
                                   --------------------------
                                   Louis N. McCarter, III
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;
 
   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 19th
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ John W. Miller, Jr.
                                   -----------------------
                                   John W. Miller, Jr.
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 18th
day of March 1999.

                                                 /s/ Edward H. Owlett
                                                 --------------------
                                                 Edward H. Owlett
                                                 POWER OF ATTORNEY
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.

 
<PAGE>
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 22nd
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ Louis I. Pollock
                                   --------------------
                                    Louis I. Pollock
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 17th
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ Roderic H. Ross
                                   -------------------
                                   Roderic H. Ross
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of PMA
Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby makes,
designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the
23rd day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ L.J. Rowell, Jr.
                                   --------------------
                                   L.J. Rowell, Jr.
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director and
officer of PMA Capital Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation ("PMA"), hereby
makes, designates, constitutes and appoints Francis W. McDonnell and Charles A.
Brawley, III, and each of them (with full power to act without the other), as
the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and
stead of the undersigned

(A) in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
both as amended, of:

   (i)  PMA's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
        and all amendments thereto;

   (ii) any and all registration statements pertaining to employee benefit plans
        of PMA or its subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, including,
        without limitation, a registration statement on Form S-8 for the
        offering of shares of PMA Class A Common Stock under PMA's 1999 Equity
        Incentive Plan and amendments to PMA's registration statements on 
        Form S-8 (Registration Numbers 333-68855 and 333-45949); and

(B) in connection with the preparation, delivery and filing of any and all
registrations, amendments, qualifications or notifications under the applicable
securities laws of any and all states and other jurisdictions with respect to
securities of PMA, of whatever class or series, offered, sold, issued,
distributed, placed or resold by PMA, any of its subsidiaries, or any other
person or entity.

Such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, are also hereby granted full
power and authority, on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the
undersigned, to execute and deliver all such registration statements, reports,
registrations, amendments, qualifications and notifications to execute and
deliver any and all such other documents, and to take further action as they, or
any of them, deem appropriate.  The powers and authorities granted herein to
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, also include the full
right, power and authority to effect necessary or appropriate substitutions or
revocations.  The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his own
act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and
authorities herein granted.  This Power of Attorney expires by its terms and
shall be of no further force and effect on May 15, 2000.
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this document as of the 16th
day of March 1999.

                                   /s/ John W. Smithson
                                   --------------------
                                   John W. Smithson