Document:

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                                                                     Exhibit 4.6

                                                                  CONFORMED COPY

                             SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                         THE PURCHASERS SIGNATORY HERETO

                                       AND

                             ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.

                          DATED AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2001

                         CONFORMED TO REFLECT AMENDMENTS
           DATED NOVEMBER 20, 2001, JANUARY 3, 2002 AND MARCH 15, 2002
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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A.       SUBSCRIPTION AND PURCHASE OF SECURITIES..............................................................1

         1.       Agreement to Purchase.......................................................................1
         2.       Number of Securities Purchased..............................................................1
         3.       Closing Date................................................................................2
         4.       Deliveries..................................................................................2

B.       POST-CLOSING ADJUSTMENTS.............................................................................2

         1.       Audit Adjustment............................................................................2
         2.       Adjustment for Triggering Event.............................................................4
         3.       Final Adjustment............................................................................5

C.       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SALE OF SECURITIES ON THE CLOSING DATE.......................................6

         1.       Mutual Conditions...........................................................................6
         2.       Conditions of the Company...................................................................7
         3.       Conditions of the Purchasers................................................................7

D.       REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS...........................................................8

         1.       Purchaser Acknowledgments...................................................................8
         2.       Purchaser Representations...................................................................9
         3.       Representations and Warranties of the Company..............................................11

E.       RIGHT TO EXCHANGE PREFERENCE SHARES.................................................................33

         1.       Formation of Newco.........................................................................33
         2.       Capital Structure of Newco.................................................................33
         3.       Exchange Right.............................................................................34
         4.       Maintenance of Newco.......................................................................35
         5.       Failure of Regulatory Approval.............................................................35
         6.       Modification or Amendment..................................................................35

F.       ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS...............................................................................35

         1.       Modification...............................................................................35
         2.       Purchasers' Costs and Expenses.............................................................36
         3.       Notices....................................................................................36

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         4.       Successors, Assigns........................................................................36
         5.       Transaction Committee......................................................................37
         6.       Governing Law..............................................................................37
         7.       Survival...................................................................................37
         8.       Entire Agreement...........................................................................37
         9.       Severability...............................................................................37
         10.      Counterparts...............................................................................37
         11.      Currencies.................................................................................37

SIGNATURES..................................................................................................S-1

SCHEDULE A..................................................................................................A-1

SCHEDULE B..................................................................................................B-1
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                             SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

                  This Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is made as of October 24,
2001 by and between Arch Capital Group Ltd., a company organized under the laws
of Bermuda (the "COMPANY"), and each of the Purchasers named below (each, a
"PURCHASER" and, collectively, the "PURCHASERS"), in connection with the
purchase by each Purchaser of the Securities (as defined below). Certain terms
are defined in SCHEDULE A hereto.

                  WHEREAS, the Company has entered into employment arrangements
with Paul Ingrey, Dwight Evans and Marc Grandisson, true and correct copies of
which have been provided to the Purchasers.

                  For good and valid consideration, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Purchasers agree as follows:

A.       SUBSCRIPTION AND PURCHASE OF SECURITIES

                  1. AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE. Subject to satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in Section C below, each Purchaser, severally and not
jointly, hereby irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase, for the
aggregate purchase price set forth below the name of such Purchaser on the
signature page hereto (such Purchaser's "TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE"), series A
convertible preference shares (the "PREFERENCE SHARES") and class A warrants
(such warrants issued hereunder, the "WARRANTS," and together with the
Preference Shares, the "SECURITIES") of the Company. The Preference Shares will
have the rights and privileges set forth in the form of Certificate of
Designations attached hereto as EXHIBIT I (the "CERTIFICATE"). The Preference
Shares will be convertible, on the terms and conditions set forth in the
Certificate, into Common Shares (such shares, the "CONVERSION SHARES") or, in
the circumstance set forth in Section E hereof, common shares of Newco. The form
of the Warrants is attached hereto as EXHIBIT II. The Warrants will be
exercisable, on the terms and conditions thereof, for Common Shares (such
shares, the "WARRANT SHARES").

                  2. NUMBER OF SECURITIES PURCHASED. The number of Preference
Shares to be purchased by each Purchaser shall be equal to such Purchaser's
Total Purchase Price divided by the Estimated Per Share Price. Such number is
subject to adjustment as provided in Section B hereof.

                  The number of Warrants to be purchased by each Purchaser shall
be equal to (a) the Adjusted Warrant Amount times (b) the number of Common
Shares issuable as of the date hereof upon exercise of all class A warrants
outstanding on the date hereof (which is 2,531,079) divided by (c) the number of
Common Shares outstanding as of June 30, 2001 (which is 12,863,079). If the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or options granted to management
concurrently herewith, trigger an antidilution adjustment under existing class

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A warrants, the number of Warrants purchased by each Purchaser hereunder shall
be adjusted upward to reflect the greater number of shares issuable upon
exercise of outstanding class A warrants as a result of such antidilution
adjustment.(1)

                  3. CLOSING DATE. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof,
the purchase and sale of the Securities shall occur at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time)
on the third business day after the date on which the condition set forth in
Section C.1(a) is satisfied (such date and time, the "CLOSING DATE").

                  4. DELIVERIES. As of the close of business on the business day
immediately preceding the Closing Date, the Company shall advise the Purchasers
of the Estimated Per Share Price. On the Closing Date, (a) each Purchaser shall
pay its Total Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
the account of the Company designated by the Company and (b) the Company shall
deliver to such Purchaser certificates for the Securities purchased by such
Purchaser, registered in the name of such Purchaser or its designee.

B.       POST-CLOSING ADJUSTMENTS

                  1.       AUDIT ADJUSTMENT.

                  (a) As soon as practicable after the Closing Date, the Company
shall engage (i) PricewaterhouseCoopers (the "PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS") to audit the
Company's consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2001, (ii) an independent
actuary selected by the Transaction Committee and the Purchasers (the
"INDEPENDENT ACTUARY") to review the reserves for claims and claims expenses on
such balance sheet, and (iii) an independent pricing service selected by the
Transaction Committee and the Purchasers (the "PRICING SERVICE") to determine
the estimated fair value as of the Closing Date of the Company's investments in
marketable securities included on such balance sheet. The audit shall be
performed on the same ba-

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(1)      Amendment No. 1: "The parties agree that (a) effective as of the
         Closing, the only Class A Warrants outstanding will be held by The
         Trident Partnership, L.P. and Taracay Investors and the only Class B
         Warrants outstanding will be held by Robert Clements (or members of his
         family or trusts established for his or his family's benefit) and (b)
         there is no adjustment under section 3.1 of the Class A Warrants of the
         Company or under section 4.1 of the Class B Warrants of the Company in
         connection with the grants set forth on Schedule 5 to Amendment No.1,
         or the issuance of the Preference Shares, the Warrants, or the Common
         Shares issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof, under the
         Subscription Agreement or the Management Subscription Agreements."
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sis as the preparation of the unaudited balance sheet and, in particular, the
$4.3 million liability associated with an anticipated but incomplete reinsurance
transaction shall either remain or be deemed to remain on the audited balance
sheet as a liability. The Pricing Service, the Public Accountants and the
Independent Actuary are referred to as the "INDEPENDENT ADVISORS."

                  (b) The Company shall provide the Independent Advisors with
full access to its books and records for the purposes of such audit and reviews.
The Independent Advisors shall keep the Transaction Committee and the Purchasers
informed as to the progress of such audit and reviews, and the Transaction
Committee and the Purchasers shall have the right to participate and comment
upon such audit and reviews. Any reviews pursuant to paragraph (d) below shall
also be subject to the provisions of this paragraph.

                  (c) Within 60 days after the Closing Date (or as soon
thereafter as practicable), the Independent Advisors shall deliver the following
to the Board of Directors and the Purchasers (the "INITIAL DETERMINATIONS"):

                  (i) The Public Accountants shall deliver the Company's
         consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2001 and an unqualified
         report thereto (the "AUDITED BALANCE SHEET").

                 (ii) The Independent Actuary shall deliver a report on the
         reserves for claims and claims expenses on the Audited Balance Sheet
         (the "RESERVE REPORT").

                (iii) The Pricing Service shall deliver a report of its
         determinations of estimated fair value as of the business day
         immediately preceding the Closing Date of the marketable securities in
         the Company's investment portfolio included in the Audited Balance
         Sheet (the "PORTFOLIO REVIEW"). In determining such estimated fair
         value, the Pricing Service shall use the Mark to Market Procedures.

                 (iv) The Public Accountants shall calculate the Per Share Price
         including, without limitation, the amount set forth in clause (i)(A) of
         the definition of Per Share Price, and report the amounts to the Board
         of Directors and the Purchasers (the "PER SHARE CALCULATION").

                  (d) After receipt of the Initial Determinations, the
Transaction Committee and the Purchasers shall have the right to make a full
review of the Initial Determinations including, but not limited to, access by
such professionals as Purchasers may deem necessary, to all of the workpapers
and reports prepared by the Independent Advisors in connection with such Initial
Determinations. The Transaction Committee may object to the Initial
Determinations or one or more components thereof by giving written notice to the
Purchasers, and the Purchasers (acting collectively) may object to the Initial
Determinations or one or more components thereof by giving written notice to the
Transaction Committee, in each case, within 30

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days of the date on which the Initial Determinations are delivered. Any such
notice shall state the basis of the objections in reasonable detail. The
Transaction Committee and the Purchasers shall then endeavor in good faith to
resolve the dispute as soon as possible. If the dispute is not resolved within
10 days after receipt of the objection, within five days thereafter the
Transaction Committee and the Purchasers shall mutually agree on (i) a firm of
independent accountants to review the Audited Balance Sheet or the Per Share
Calculation, (ii) an independent actuary to review the Reserve Report and/or
(iii) an independent pricing service to review the Portfolio Review, who shall
complete such reviews within 30 days of appointment. Based upon such independent
reviews, the independent accountants referred to in the preceding sentence shall
select either the per share calculation recommended by the Transaction Committee
or that recommended by the Purchasers, whichever is closer to the independent
review, and the per share calculation so selected shall be dispositive. If the
Initial Determination (if not reviewed) or such review requires an adjustment to
the Audited Balance Sheet, the Audited Balance Sheet as so adjusted shall be
deemed to be the "Audited Balance Sheet" hereunder.

                  (e) If the Per Share Price is greater than the Estimated Per
Share Price, within five business days after the last date on which the Initial
Determinations may be objected to or after the date that all reviews following
any such objection have been completed (the "APPLICABLE DATE"), each Purchaser
shall either (i) pay to the Company an amount (the "AGGREGATE AMOUNT") in cash
equal to the difference between the Per Share Price and the Estimated Per Share
Price times the number of Preference Shares purchased by such Purchaser or (ii)
surrender to the Company a number of Preference Shares equal to the Aggregate
Amount divided by the greater of (A) the Per Share Price or (B) the Fair Market
Value of a Preference Share as of the Applicable Date. The Purchasers shall make
such payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of
the Company designated by the Company.

                  (f) If the Estimated Per Share Price is greater than the Per
Share Price, within five business days after the Applicable Date, the Company
shall issue and deliver to each Purchaser one or more certificates registered in
the name of such Purchaser (or its designee) representing that number of
Preference Shares equal to (i) the difference between the Estimated Per Share
Price and the Per Share Price times (ii) the number of Preference Shares
purchased by such Purchaser on the Closing Date divided by (iii) the Per Share
Price.

                  2. ADJUSTMENT FOR TRIGGERING EVENT. In the event that a
Triggering Event occurs, then, within five business days of the occurrence of
such Triggering Event or the Applicable Date (whichever is later), the Company
shall issue and deliver to each Purchaser one or more certificates registered in
the name of such Purchaser (or its designee) representing that number of
Preference Shares equal to the difference between (i) such Purchaser's Total

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Purchase Price divided by an amount equal to the difference between the Per
Share Price and $1.50 and (ii) such Purchaser's Total Purchase Price divided by
the Per Share Price.

                  3.       FINAL ADJUSTMENT.

                  (a) The Adjustment Basket, as defined on SCHEDULE B, shall be
determined as soon as practicable after the second anniversary of the Closing
Date or such earlier date as the Purchasers request and the Transaction
Committee agrees, which agreement will not be unreasonably withheld (the "TEST
DATE"). The Company shall engage its independent public accountants to prepare
and deliver a report to the Transaction Committee and the Purchasers setting
forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the Adjustment Basket (the
"ADJUSTMENT BASKET REPORT").

                  (b) The Company shall provide such independent public
accountants with full access to its books and records for the purposes of
preparing the Adjustment Basket Report. Such accountants shall keep the
Transaction Committee and the Purchasers informed as to the progress of the
Adjustment Basket Report, and the Transaction Committee and the Purchasers shall
have the right to participate and comment upon the Adjustment Basket Report. Any
reviews pursuant to paragraph (c) below shall also be subject to the provisions
of this paragraph.

                  (c) After receipt of the Adjustment Basket Report, the
Transaction Committee and the Purchasers shall have the right to make a full
review of the Adjustment Basket Report including, but not limited to, access by
such professionals as Purchasers may deem necessary to all of the workpapers and
reports prepared by the independent public accountants in connection with such
Adjustment Basket Report. The Transaction Committee may object to the Adjustment
Basket Report by giving written notice to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers
(acting collectively) may object to the Adjustment Basket Report by giving
written notice to the Transaction Committee, in each case, within 30 days of the
date on which the Adjustment Basket Report is delivered. Any such notice shall
state the basis of the objections in reasonable detail. The Transaction
Committee and the Purchasers shall then endeavor in good faith to resolve the
dispute as soon as possible. If the dispute is not resolved within 10 days after
receipt of the objection, within five days thereafter, the Transaction Committee
and the Purchasers shall mutually agree on a firm of independent accountants, an
independent actuary and/or an independent pricing service to review the
Adjustment Basket Report or one or more components thereof, who shall complete
such reviews within 30 days of appointment. Based upon such independent reviews,
the independent accountants referred to in the preceding sentence shall select
either the adjusted basket report recommended by the Transaction Committee or
that recommended by the Purchasers, whichever is closer to the independent
review, and the adjusted basket report so selected shall be dispositive.

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                  (d) If the Adjustment Basket is less than zero, within five
business days after the last date on which the Adjustment Basket Report may be
objected to or the date on which all reviews following any such objection have
been completed (the "SECOND APPLICABLE DATE"), the Company shall issue and
deliver to each Purchaser one or more certificates registered in the name of
such Purchaser (or its designee) representing that number of Preference Shares
equal to the difference between NF - N,

                  where:
                  N = number of Preference Shares purchased by such Purchaser
                  (after giving effect to any adjustment pursuant to Section
                  B.1);
                  P = Per Share Price;
                  B = absolute value of the Adjustment Basket; and
                  NF = such Purchaser's Total Purchase Price divided by
                  [P - B/12.86 million].

                  (e) If the Adjustment Basket is greater than zero, the Company
at the direction of the Transaction Committee may use cash in an amount equal to
B to repurchase Common Shares (other than any Conversion Shares or Warrant
Shares) without regard to the restriction on repurchases set forth in Article VI
of the Shareholders Agreement.

                  (f) In addition to paragraph (e), if the Adjustment Basket is
less than zero and in the event that a Triggering Event occurs, then, on the
Second Applicable Date, the Company shall also issue and deliver to each
Purchaser a number of Preference Shares equal to the difference between (A) such
Purchaser's Total Purchase Price divided by an amount equal to [P - $1.50 -
B/12.86 million] and (B) the Purchaser's Total Purchase Price divided by an
amount equal to (P - $1.50).

                  (g) On the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, there shall
be a calculation of a further Adjustment Basket, taking into account ONLY the
following: (i) the matters listed in clause (iii) of the definition of Non-Core
Assets, to the extent not previously included in the first Adjustment Basket and
(ii) any actual losses arising out of any breach of the representations set
forth in Section D.3.h or D.3.k discovered after the second anniversary of the
Closing.

C.       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SALE OF SECURITIES ON THE CLOSING DATE

                  1. MUTUAL CONDITIONS. The obligation of the Company to sell,
and of each Purchaser to buy, the Securities on the Closing Date, is subject to
the satisfaction, or waiver by the parties hereto, of the following conditions:

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                  (a) If required, the waiting period under the U.S.
         Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
         "HSR ACT"), shall have expired or been terminated early.

                  (b) There shall not be in effect an order or injunction of a
         court of competent jurisdiction prohibiting the consummation of the
         sale and purchase of the Securities hereunder that are to be purchased
         on the Closing Date.

                  2. CONDITIONS OF THE COMPANY. The obligation of the Company to
sell the Securities on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction, or
waiver by the Company, of the following conditions:

                  (a) The representations and warranties made by each Purchaser
         in this Agreement shall be true and accurate in all material respects
         as of the Closing Date.

                  (b) Each Purchaser shall have complied with and performed all
         agreements and covenants to be complied with or performed by it in all
         material respects at or prior to the Closing Date.

                  3. CONDITIONS OF THE PURCHASERS. The obligation of each
Purchaser to buy on the Closing Date the Securities set forth below the name of
such Purchaser on the signature page hereof is subject to the satisfaction, or
waiver by such Purchaser, of the following conditions:

                  (a) The representations and warranties made by the Company in
         this Agreement shall be true and accurate as of the Closing Date
         (except that representations and warranties made as of another date
         shall be true and accurate as of such other date), except in each case
         as would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (b) The Company shall have complied with and performed all of
         its agreements and covenants to be complied with or performed in all
         material respects at or prior to the Closing Date.

                  (c) Such Purchaser shall have received (i) a legal opinion of
         Conyers Dill & Pearman, Bermuda counsel to the Company, covering such
         matters under Bermuda law as are customary for transactions of this
         type and (ii) a legal opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel, United States
         counsel to the Company, regarding enforceability of this Agreement and
         the validity of the private placement exemption with respect to the
         sale and purchase of the Securities hereunder. Such opinions may be
         subject to such limitations and qualifications as are customary for
         legal opinions in transactions of this type.

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                  (d) Such Purchaser shall have received copies of such letters
         of resignation from the Board of Directors and certified resolutions of
         the Board of Directors electing such directors to fill the resulting
         vacancies in accordance with the Company's Bye-laws, all effective with
         the consummation of the purchase and sale of Securities hereunder so
         that the members of the Board of Directors immediately following the
         Closing Date shall be as contemplated by Section 3.1(b) of the
         Shareholders Agreement.

                  (e) The Company shall have executed and delivered a
         shareholders agreement substantially in the form attached as EXHIBIT IV
         hereto (the "SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT").

                  (f) The Company's Board shall have taken all such action as is
         necessary to exempt Purchasers from paragraphs 78 and 79(3) of the
         Company's Bye-laws.

D.       REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS

                  1. PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Each Purchaser, severally and
not jointly, understands, acknowledges and hereby covenants and agrees with the
Company as follows:

                  (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
         such Purchaser's agreement to purchase Securities hereunder is and
         shall be irrevocable.

                  (b) The offering and sale of the Securities is intended to be
         exempt from registration under the United States Securities Act of
         1933, as amended (the "ACT"), by virtue of Section 4(2) of the Act. The
         Securities, the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares have not been
         registered under the Act. Except to the extent set forth in the
         Shareholders Agreement, the Company is under no obligation to register
         the Securities, the Conversion Shares or the Warrant Shares or to
         assist such Purchaser in complying with any exemption from
         registration.

                  (c) There is no existing public or other market for the
         Securities, and it is not expected that any such market will develop.
         There can be no assurance that such Purchaser will be able to sell or
         dispose of its Securities. Without limiting the generality of the
         foregoing, in order not to jeopardize the offering's exempt status
         under the Act, a transferee of such Securities may, among other things,
         be required to fulfill the investor suitability requirements
         thereunder.

                  (d) All certificates issued for the Securities, the Conversion
         Shares and the Warrant Shares will bear the following legend:

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                  "THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE
                  TRANSFERRED, OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT (A) IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
                  PROVISIONS OF A CERTAIN SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND A CERTAIN
                  SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT AND (B) PURSUANT TO (1) AN EFFECTIVE
                  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT
                  OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (2) AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM
                  REGISTRATION THEREUNDER. ANY SALE PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (B)(2) OF
                  THE PRECEDING SENTENCE MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN OPINION OF
                  WACHTELL, LIPTON, ROSEN & KATZ, OR SUCH OTHER COUNSEL AS IS
                  REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD., TO THE
                  EFFECT THAT SUCH EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE IN
                  CONNECTION WITH SUCH SALE."

                  (e) Prior to the earlier of the Shareholders Meeting (as
defined below) and the four month anniversary of the Closing Date, the
Securities, Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares may not be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of, directly or indirectly, without approval
of the Transaction Committee.

                  (f) The Purchasers shall not transfer, in one transaction, or
a series of related transactions, to a single Person or group, Common Shares,
and/or securities convertible into Common Shares, representing in excess of
either 51% of the votes then entitled to be cast in the election of directors,
or 51% of the then outstanding Common Shares (taking into account Common Shares
issuable upon conversion of the Preference Shares) without making available to
all holders of Common Shares the right to participate in such transaction on the
same or substantially the same terms as the Purchasers (giving effect to the
securities being transferred).

                  2. PURCHASER REPRESENTATIONS. Each Purchaser, severally and
not jointly, hereby represents and warrants and covenants to the Company as
follows:

                  (a) The Securities to be purchased by such Purchaser are being
         purchased for such Purchaser's own account, and not with a view to
         distribution, assignment or resale to others or to fractionalization in
         whole or in part. No other person has or will have a direct or indirect
         beneficial interest in such Securities or any component thereof.

                  (b) The financial situation of such Purchaser is such that it
         can afford to bear the economic risk of holding the Securities for an
         indefinite period, and such Purchaser can afford to suffer the complete
         loss of its investment in the Securities. Such

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         Purchaser has (i) knowledge and experience in financial and business
         matters such that it is capable of evaluating the risks of the
         investment in the Securities and (ii) carefully reviewed the terms and
         provisions of this Agreement and has evaluated the restrictions and
         obligations contained herein.

                  (c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
         delivered by such Purchaser and, assuming due execution and delivery by
         each other party hereto, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
         such Purchaser enforceable in accordance with its terms.

                  (d) Such Purchaser shall hold the Securities subject to, and
         shall have voting rights with respect thereto as specified in, the
         Company's Bye-laws and the Certificate in effect from time to time and
         shall not assign, sell, hypothecate or otherwise transfer the
         Securities, the Conversion Shares or the Warrant Shares other than in
         accordance with applicable law and the provisions with respect thereto
         in such documents.

                  (e) Such Purchaser covenants and agrees to make available to
         the Company and the appropriate insurance regulatory governmental
         authorities all information concerning such Purchaser required to be
         furnished to such governmental authorities in connection with obtaining
         requisite approvals, and further covenants and agrees to make all
         filings, and seek to acquire all consents, required by such
         governmental authorities.

                  (f) The execution, delivery and performance by such Purchaser
         of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
         hereby do not and will not (i) violate any provision of the
         organizational documents of such Purchaser, (ii) assuming compliance
         with the matters referred to in Section C.1.a, violate any provision of
         any applicable law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment,
         injunction, order or decree or (iii) violate or result in a default
         under any agreement or other instrument binding upon such Purchaser or
         any of its Subsidiaries, except in each case as would not reasonably be
         expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
         Effect (as defined below) on such Purchaser.

                  (g) Such Purchaser has, or will have prior to the Closing
         Date, sufficient cash or other sources of immediately available funds
         to enable it to make payment of the purchase price for the Securities
         as required hereunder and all related fees and expenses.

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                  3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.(2) Except as
set forth in the disclosure letter delivered to the Purchasers by the Company
dated as of the date hereof (the "COMPANY DISCLOSURE LETTER"), or in the Company
Reports filed since December 31, 2000 but prior to the date hereof, the Company
hereby represents and warrants to each of the Purchasers that:

                  (a) ORGANIZATION, GOOD STANDING AND QUALIFICATION. (i) Each of
         the Company and its Subsidiaries is a corporation or other entity duly
         organized, validly existing and, if applicable, in good standing under
         the laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization and has all
         requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, operate and
         lease its properties and assets and to carry on its business as
         presently conducted and is duly qualified to do business and is in good
         standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction
         where the ownership, operation or leasing of its assets or properties
         or conduct of its business requires such qualification except for
         failures to be so qualified, or to be so in good standing, which would
         not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has made available to
         Parent a complete and correct copy of the Company's certificate of
         incorporation, memorandum of association and Bye-laws, each as amended
         to date, which are in full force and effect.

                 (ii) The Company does not have any Subsidiaries which (A)
         individually constitute or, if aggregated and treated as one
         Subsidiary, would constitute a "SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" within the
         meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act, (B)
         have unlimited liability share capital or other equity or similar
         interests of unlimited liability, or (C) conduct material insurance,
         fund management, broker-dealer, banking or consumer finance operations.
         Section 3.2(a)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Letter (X) lists the
         jurisdiction of organization of each of the Company's Subsidiaries, (Y)
         in the case of the Company's Subsidiaries that conduct insurance
         operations (collectively, the "COMPANY INSURANCE COMPANIES"), lists, as
         of June 30, 2001, the U.S. jurisdictions where the Company Insurance
         Companies are domiciled or "commercially domiciled" and licensed to do
         an insurance business for insurance regulatory purposes, and (Z)
         indicates which Subsidiaries in which the Company's interest therein
         includes unlimited share capital or other equity or similar interests
         of unlimited liability. Each of the Company and each of its
         Subsidiaries holds all material

----------
(2)      Amendment No. 1: "The representations and warranties made by the
         Company herein shall be deemed made also as of the Closing Date (except
         that representations and warranties made as of another date shall be
         true and accurate as of such other date)."

<Page>
                                      -12-

         licenses or authorizations required or necessary to conduct its
         business as currently conducted.

                (iii) As of the date hereof, the Company does not own (other
         than (A) in a BONA FIDE fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt
         previously contracted, (B) in the ordinary course of its insurance,
         annuity or asset management business, (C) in customer accounts held or
         maintained in the ordinary course, or (D) in any general account or
         otherwise in the ordinary course to offset insurance liabilities)
         beneficially, directly or indirectly, (X) any material equity
         securities or similar material interests of any Person other than its
         Subsidiaries, or (Y) any interest in any general partnership, unlimited
         company or other Person with share capital or other equity or similar
         interests of unlimited liability, or any general partnership interest
         in a limited partnership.

                  (b) CAPITAL STRUCTURE. (i) The authorized stock of the Company
         consists of 200,000,000 Common Shares, of which 12,868,158 Common
         Shares (including shares of restricted stock issued pursuant to Company
         Stock Plans) were issued and outstanding as of the close of business on
         September 30, 2001, and 50,000,000 preference shares, par value $0.01
         per share, of which no shares are issued or outstanding as of the date
         hereof. All of the issued and outstanding Common Shares have been duly
         authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Since
         September 30, 2001, the Company has issued no Common Shares, or
         securities convertible or exchangeable into Common Shares. As of the
         date hereof, the Company has no commitments (including contingent or
         conditional commitments) to issue or deliver Common Shares or
         preference shares.

                 (ii) All of the outstanding capital stock of, or other voting
         securities or ownership interests in, each Subsidiary, to the extent
         owned by the Company, is owned by the Company, directly or indirectly,
         free and clear of any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest
         or encumbrance in respect of such property or asset and free of any
         other limitation or restriction (including any restriction on the right
         to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock or other
         voting securities or ownership interests, except as set forth in the
         Company's Bye-laws). Except as contemplated by this Agreement, there
         are no outstanding (A) securities of the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital
         stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in any
         Subsidiary or (B) options or other rights to acquire from the Company
         or any of its Subsidiaries, or other obligation of the Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries to issue, any capital stock or other voting
         securities or ownership interests in, or any securities convertible
         into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other voting securities
         of or ownership interests in, any Subsidiary (the items in clauses (A)
         and (B) being referred to collectively with the capital stock of the
         subsidiaries as the "SUBSIDIARY SECURITIES"). There are no outstanding
         obligations

<Page>
                                      -13-

         of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or
         otherwise acquire any of the Subsidiary Securities.

                (iii) Except as set forth above (A) there is no share capital or
         other voting securities of the Company authorized, reserved, issued or
         outstanding, (B) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
         party to any agreement creating preemptive or other outstanding rights,
         subscriptions, options, warrants, stock appreciation rights, redemption
         rights, repurchase rights, convertible securities or other agreements,
         arrangements or commitments of any character relating to, or the value
         of which is determined by reference to, the issued or unissued share
         capital or other ownership interest of the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries, and (C) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
         is party to any agreement creating any other securities or obligations
         convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, or giving any
         Person a right to subscribe for or acquire, any securities of the
         Company or its Subsidiaries, and no securities or obligations
         evidencing such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding. Neither
         the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding any bonds,
         debentures, notes or other similar obligations.

                 (iv) The Preference Shares have been duly authorized and
         reserved for issuance, and, when issued in accordance with the terms of
         this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
         The Conversion Shares have been duly authorized and reserved for
         issuance, and when issued in exchange for the Preference Shares in
         accordance with the terms of the certificate, will be validly issued,
         fully paid and non-assessable.

                  (v) The Warrants have been duly authorized, and, when executed
         and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will
         constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company,
         enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms. The
         Warrant Shares have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance,
         and, when issued upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance with the
         terms thereof, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

                  (c) CORPORATE AUTHORITY; APPROVAL. The Company has all
         necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
         Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate
         the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of
         this Agreement by the Company, and the consummation by the Company of
         the transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly and validly
         authorized by all necessary corporate action, and no other corporate
         proceedings (other than Requisite Shareholder Approval following the
         issuance of the Securities) on the part of the Company are necessary to
         authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions so
         contemplated. The Board of Directors has unanimously determined, as

<Page>
                                      -14-

         of the date of this Agreement, that it is advisable and in the best
         interest of the Company's shareholders for the Company to enter into
         this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
         upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and, as
         of the date of this Agreement, has recommended that the Bye-Law
         Amendment and the issuance of the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares
         to the Purchasers in accordance with the terms hereof be approved by
         the shareholders of the Company. This Agreement has been duly and
         validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due
         authorization, execution and delivery by each other party hereto,
         constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company,
         enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. The
         Company has received the opinion of its financial advisor, Credit
         Suisse First Boston Corporation ("CSFB"), to the effect that, as of the
         date hereof, the consideration to be received by the Company for the
         issuance and sale of the Securities is fair, from a financial point of
         view, to the Company, a true and correct copy of which will be
         furnished to Parent.

                  (d) GOVERNMENTAL FILINGS; NO VIOLATIONS. (i) Other than the
         reports, filings, registrations, consents, approvals, permits,
         authorizations, applications, expiry of waiting periods and/or notices
         under the HSR Act, no notices, reports or other filings are required to
         be made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with, nor are any
         material consents, registrations, approvals, permits applications,
         expiry of waiting periods or authorizations required to be obtained by
         the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from, any U.S. or non-U.S.
         governmental or regulatory authority, agency, commission, tribunal,
         body or other governmental, quasi-governmental, regulatory or
         self-regulatory entity, including, without limitation, any state
         insurance department or insurance or consumer finance regulatory
         agency, in each case, of competent jurisdiction (each a "GOVERNMENTAL
         ENTITY"), in connection with the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement by the Company and the issuance of the Preference Shares and
         Warrants contemplated hereby.

                 (ii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
         by the Company do not, and the consummation by the Company of
         transactions contemplated hereby will not, constitute or result in (A)
         a breach or violation of, or a default under, the certificate of
         incorporation, memorandum of association or Bye-laws of the Company or
         the comparable governing instruments of any of its Subsidiaries, (B) a
         breach or violation of, or a default under, or the creation or
         acceleration of any obligations or the creation of a material lien,
         pledge, security interest or other encumbrance on the assets of the
         Company or any of its Subsidiaries (with or without notice, lapse of
         time or both) pursuant to, or the creation or acceleration of any right
         of termination under, any material agreement, lease, contract, license,
         note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other obligation, whether
         written or oral ("CONTRACTS" and individually, a "CONTRACT"), binding
         upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their re-

<Page>
                                      -15-

         spective assets, or (C) any material and adverse change in the rights
         or obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any
         material Contract.

                  (e) COMPANY REPORTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; UNDISCLOSED
         LIABILITIES; STATUTORY STATEMENTS. (i) Each registration statement,
         report, proxy statement or information statement prepared by the
         Company or its Subsidiaries since December 31, 1999, including the
         Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
         2000 (the "COMPANY FORM 10-K"), each in the form (including exhibits,
         annexes and any amendments thereto) filed with the SEC (collectively,
         including any such reports filed with the SEC subsequent to the date
         hereof, the "COMPANY REPORTS"), as of their respective dates, as
         amended prior to the date hereof or as supplemented by Company Reports
         filed prior to the date hereof, did not, and any Company Reports filed
         with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof will not, contain any untrue
         statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
         to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein,
         in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
         Each of the consolidated balance sheets included in or incorporated by
         reference into the Company Reports (including the related notes and
         schedules) fairly presents, or will fairly present, in all material
         respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries as of its date, and each of the consolidated statements of
         income and of changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows included
         in or incorporated by reference into the Company Reports (including any
         related notes and schedules) fairly presents, or will fairly present,
         in all material respects the results of operations, retained earnings
         and changes in financial position, as the case may be, of the Company
         and its Subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the
         case of unaudited statements, to notes and normal year-end audit
         adjustments that were not, or are not reasonably expected to be,
         material in amount or effect), in each case in accordance with U.S.
         generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") (except in the case
         of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q) consistently
         applied during the periods involved, except as may be noted therein or
         in the notes thereto.

                 (ii) Except for those liabilities that are fully reflected or
         reserved against on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company
         included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
         ended June 30, 2001 or liabilities described in the notes thereto (or
         liabilities for which neither accrual nor footnote disclosure is
         required pursuant to GAAP), neither the Company nor any of its
         Subsidiaries has incurred any material liability of any nature
         whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and
         whether due or to become due), other than liabilities incurred in
         connection with the negotiation, execution, delivery and performance of
         this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

<Page>
                                      -16-

                (iii) Since December 31, 1999, the Company and each of its
         Subsidiaries has timely filed all material periodic statements,
         together with all exhibits, interrogatories, notes, schedules and any
         actuarial opinions, affirmations or certifications or other supporting
         documents in connection therewith, required to be filed with or
         submitted to any Governmental Entity on forms prescribed or permitted
         thereby (collectively, the "COMPANY REGULATORY REPORTS"). The financial
         statements included in the Company Regulatory Reports, including the
         notes thereto, were prepared in conformity in all material respects
         with applicable statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted
         by the applicable Governmental Entity consistently applied for the
         periods covered thereby and present fairly, in all material respects,
         the statutory financial position of the Company or such Subsidiary as
         at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations thereof
         for the respective periods then ended. The Company Regulatory Reports
         complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws when filed,
         and no material deficiency has been asserted with respect to any
         Company Regulatory Report by any Governmental Entity.

                 (iv) Except as set forth in the Company's proxy statement with
         respect to the annual meeting of Company shareholders in 2001, neither
         the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Contract with
         any officer or director of the Company or any Person in which any such
         officer or director holds 5% or more of equity interests which would be
         required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated
         by the SEC.

                  (f) ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Since December 31, 2000 (A)
         the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective
         businesses only in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice,
         and (B) there has not been (1) any Material Adverse Effect with respect
         to the Company or any development or combination of developments, that,
         individually or in the aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely to
         have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company; (2) any
         material change by the Company in accounting principles, practices or
         methods other than as required by GAAP or applicable Law; (3) any
         declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other
         distribution in respect of the share capital of the Company; (4) any
         split in share capital, combination, recapitalization, redenomination
         of share capital or other similar transaction or issuance or
         authorization of any issuance of any other securities in respect of, in
         lieu of or in substitution for share capital of the Company; (5) any
         material addition, or any development involving a prospective material
         addition, to the Company's consolidated reserves for future policy
         benefits or other policy claims and benefits; or (6) any material
         change in the accounting, actuarial, investment, reserving,
         underwriting or claims administration policies, practices, procedures,
         methods, assumptions or principles of the Company or any Subsidiary of
         the Company except as required by GAAP or applicable Law.

<Page>
                                      -17-

                  (i) The Company has no Knowledge that any material rating
         presently held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is likely to
         modified, qualified, lowered or placed under surveillance for a
         possible downgrade for any reason.

                  (g) LITIGATION. Except to the extent provided as of December
         31, 2000 in appropriately identified reserves, there are no material
         civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, claims, hearings,
         investigations, inquiries, arbitrations, mediations or proceedings
         ("ACTIONS") pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in
         writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  (h) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS; LABOR. (i) For purposes of this
         Agreement, the term (A) "PLAN" shall mean any "employee benefit plan,"
         within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income
         Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), whether or not subject to
         ERISA, and any employment, consulting, termination, severance,
         retention, change-in-control, deferred or incentive compensation,
         commission, stock option or other equity-based, vacation or other
         fringe-benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement, agreement or
         commitment, and (B) "COMPANY PLAN" shall mean each material Plan which
         is sponsored or contributed to by the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries, to which the Company or any such Subsidiary has any
         obligation to contribute, or with respect to which the Company or any
         such Subsidiary is a party or otherwise has any material liability.

                 (ii) With respect to each Company Plan listed on the Company
         Disclosure Letter, the Company will deliver or make available to the
         Purchasers, no later than seven days after the date hereof, a true,
         correct and complete copy of: (A) each Company Plan, trust agreement,
         and insurance contract and other funding vehicle related thereto; (B)
         the most recent Annual Report (Form 5500 Series) and accompanying
         schedule, if any; (C) the current summary plan description and any
         material modifications thereto, if any (in each case, whether or not
         required to be furnished under ERISA); (D) the most recent annual
         financial report, if any; (E) the most recent actuarial report, if any;
         and (F) the most recent determination letter from the U.S. Internal
         Revenue Service (the "IRS") if any. Since June 30, 2001, there have
         been no amendments to any Company Plan adopted or approved, nor has the
         Company or any of its Subsidiaries undertaken to make any such
         amendments or to adopt or approve any new Company Plan that is not
         reflected in the Company Plan document.

                (iii) Each Company Plan has been operated and administered and
         is in compliance with its terms and all applicable Laws in all material
         respects, and there are no actions, suits, claims or governmental
         audits (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course)
         pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened with respect to
         any Company Plan or the assets thereof that, if adversely determined,
         would,

<Page>
                                      -18-

         individually or in the aggregate, result in any material liability or
         obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

                 (iv) No Company Plan is (A) a multiemployer plan within the
         meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, or (B) a multiple employer plan
         within the meaning of Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA. No Company Plan
         has an "accumulated funding deficiency" (within the meaning of Section
         302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived.

                  (v) Each Company Plan that is intended to qualify under
         Section 401(a) and/or 401(k) of the Code has received a favorable
         determination letter from the IRS that it is so qualified and, to the
         Knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred or been done or omitted
         to be done since the date of such letter that has adversely affected or
         will adversely affect such qualified status. The Company and its
         Subsidiaries have timely paid all contributions, premiums and expenses
         payable to or in respect of each Company Plan under the terms thereof
         and in accordance with all applicable Laws, except where any failure to
         pay such amounts has not and will not, individually or in the
         aggregate, resulted or result in any material liability or obligation
         of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

                 (vi) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
         incurred or will incur, either directly or indirectly (including as a
         result of an indemnification obligation), any material liability under
         or pursuant to any provision of Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty,
         excise tax or joint and several liability provisions of the Code
         relating to Plans, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no event,
         transaction or condition has occurred, exists or is expected to occur
         that would reasonably be expected to result in any such material
         liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, after the
         Effective Time, to the Purchasers.

                (vii) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor
         the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, either alone
         or in combination with any other event (whether contingent or
         otherwise) will (A) entitle any current or former employee, consultant
         or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any increased
         or modified benefit or payment; (B) increase the amount of compensation
         or benefits due to any such employee, consultant or director; (C)
         accelerate the vesting, payment or funding of any compensation,
         stock-based, incentive or other benefit; (D) result in any "parachute
         payment" under Section 280G of the Code (whether or not such payment is
         considered to be reasonable compensation for services rendered); (E)
         cause any compensation to fail to be deductible under Section 162(m) or
         any other provision of the Code or any similar Law; (F) otherwise
         result in any payment in the nature of severance or termination pay; or
         (G) limit or prohibit (except to the extent

<Page>
                                      -19-

         required by applicable Law) the ability to amend, merge, terminate or
         receive a reversion of assets from any Company Plan or related trust.

               (viii) The Company and its Subsidiaries have no liability for
         life, health, medical or other welfare benefits to former employees or
         beneficiaries or dependents thereof, except for health continuation
         coverage as required by Section 4980B of the Code or Part 6 of Title I
         of ERISA and at no expense to the Company and its Subsidiaries.

                 (ix) No labor organization or group of employees of the Company
         or any of its Subsidiaries has made a pending demand for recognition or
         certification, and there are no representation or certification
         proceedings, or petitions seeking a representation proceeding,
         presently pending, or threatened to be brought or filed, with the
         National Labor Relations Board or any other labor relations tribunal or
         authority. There are no organizing activities, strikes, work stoppages,
         slowdowns, lockouts, material arbitrations or material grievances, or
         other material labor disputes pending or threatened against or
         involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Each of the Company
         and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable laws in all
         material respects and collective bargaining agreements respecting
         employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of
         employment, wages and hours and occupational safety and health.

                  (i) COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; PERMITS. (i) The businesses of the
         Company and each of its Subsidiaries have been (since December 31,
         1999), and are being, conducted in compliance in all material respects
         with all applicable federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, statutes,
         ordinances, rules, regulations (including, without limitation, the
         rules of any applicable self-regulatory organization recognized by the
         SEC), rulings, written interpretations, judgments, orders, injunctions,
         decrees, arbitration awards, agency requirements, licenses or permits
         of any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction, including all
         regulations regulating the business and products of insurance and all
         applicable orders and directives of insurance regulatory authorities
         (including federal authorities with respect to variable insurance and
         annuity products) and orders resulting from market conduct examinations
         of insurance regulatory authorities (including federal authorities with
         respect to variable insurance and annuity products) (collectively,
         "LAWS"). Except as set forth in the Company Reports filed prior to the
         date hereof and for regulatory examinations or reviews conducted in the
         ordinary course, no material investigation or review by any
         Governmental Entity with respect to the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries is as of the date hereof pending or, to the Knowledge of
         the Company, threatened.

<Page>
                                      -20-

                 (ii) No material change is required in the Company's or any of
         its Subsidiaries' processes, properties, practices or procedures in
         connection with any such Laws, and the Company has not received any
         written notice or communication of any material noncompliance with any
         such Laws that has not been cured as of the date hereof.
         Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, the Company and each
         of its Subsidiaries have in place policies and procedures with respect
         to themselves and their insurance agents, third-party administrators,
         brokers, broker/dealers, distributors and agents intended to assure
         that their sales processes and practices are consistent in all material
         respects with applicable Law governing such practices and processes,
         and, where there has been any material deviation therefrom, such
         deviation has been cured, resolved or settled through agreements with
         applicable Governmental Entities or are barred by all applicable
         statutes of limitations or other equitable principles. To the Knowledge
         of the Company, all employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries with
         management responsibility with respect to any business line, and all
         officers and directors thereof required to be registered with or
         licensed under applicable Laws, are so licensed and in good standing
         with the applicable Governmental Entity.

                  (j) TAKEOVER STATUTES. There are applicable to the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement no restrictive provision of
         any other applicable "fair price," "moratorium," "control share
         acquisition," "interested shareholder" or other similar anti-takeover
         statute or regulation (each a "TAKEOVER STATUTE").

                  (k) TAXES. (i) All material Tax Returns required to be filed
         by, or with respect to, the Company or any Subsidiary have been timely
         filed (taking into account extensions) and are correct and complete in
         all material respects.

                 (ii) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has timely paid
         all Taxes due and payable by it or for which it may be liable (other
         than Taxes that are being contested in good faith and for which
         adequate reserves are reflected in accordance with GAAP on the
         Company's consolidated balance sheet filed with the Company Form 10-K).

                (iii) The Company and each Subsidiary have made adequate
         provision in accordance with GAAP on the Company's consolidated balance
         sheet filed with the most recent Company Reports for all Taxes payable
         for which no Tax Return has yet been filed.

                 (iv) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is doing business
         or maintains a taxable presence in a jurisdiction (a "NON-RESIDENT
         JURISDICTION") in which it does not file income Tax Returns (or does
         file Tax Returns in the manner contemplated by Treasury Regulation
         ss.1.882-4(a)(3)(iv) or any comparable provision of applicable law),
         and no claim has been made in writing by any taxing authority in a
         Non-resident

<Page>
                                      -21-

         Jurisdiction that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are or may be
         subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

                  (v) No material deficiencies for any Taxes have been proposed,
         asserted or assessed, in each case in writing, by any taxing authority
         against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are not adequately
         reserved for in accordance with GAAP on the Company's consolidated
         balance sheet filed with the Company Form 10-K.

                 (vi) Within the past three years neither the Company nor any of
         its Subsidiaries have been a "distributing corporation" or a
         "controlled corporation" in a distribution intended to qualify under
         Section 355(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
         "CODE").

                (vii) No material amounts of Tax could reasonably be expected to
         be imposed on the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of the
         reorganization contemplated by the September 26, 2000 proxy
         statement/prospectus of Arch Capital Group Ltd. or any related internal
         restructuring.

               (viii) No agreements relating to the allocation or sharing of
         Taxes exist between the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries, on the
         one hand, and a third party, on the other hand.

                 (ix) All material Taxes required to be withheld from any
         compensation, dividend or other payment by or on behalf of the Company
         or any Subsidiary have been withheld, and such withheld Taxes have been
         duly and timely paid to the proper taxing authorities.

                  (x) Based on the advice of its tax advisors, the Company does
         not believe that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries presently is a
         "personal holding company" within the meaning of Section 542(a) of the
         Code, a "foreign personal holding company" within the meaning of
         Section 552(a) of the Code, a "controlled foreign corporation" within
         the meaning of Section 957 of the Code or a "foreign investment
         company" within the meaning of Section 1246 of the Code. Based on the
         advice of its tax advisors, the Company does not believe that the
         Company presently is, or, at the end of the taxable year that includes
         the Closing Date, will be, a "passive foreign investment company"
         within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code.

                 (xi) The Company has not had and does not expect to have a
         disallowance of any deductions under Section 162(m) of the Code for
         employee remuneration of any amount paid or payable by the Company or
         any Subsidiary. "TAXES," with respect to any person means, (A) any and
         all taxes, charges, fees, levies or other assessments, including all
         net income, gross income, gross receipts, excise, stamp, real or
         personal

<Page>
                                      -22-

         property, ad valorem, withholding, social security, unemployment, use,
         license, net worth, payroll, franchise, severance, transfer, recording,
         employment, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties,
         capital stock, profits, sales, registration, value added, alternative
         or add-on minimum, estimated or other taxes, assessments or charges
         imposed by any taxing authority and any interest, penalties, or
         additions to tax attributable thereto; (B) any joint or several
         liability of such person with any other person for the payment of any
         amounts of the type described in clause (A) of this definition, and (C)
         any liability of such person for the payment of any amounts of the type
         described in clause (A) as a result of any express or implied
         obligation to indemnify any other person. "TAX RETURNS" means any
         return, report, form or similar statement required to be filed with
         respect to any Tax (including any attached schedules), including any
         information return, claim for refund, amended return or declaration of
         estimated Tax.

                  (l) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Each of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed or otherwise possesses legally
         enforceable rights to use, all patents, trademarks, trade names,
         service marks, copyrights, and any applications therefor, technology,
         know-how, computer software programs or applications, and tangible or
         intangible proprietary information or materials, including trade
         secrets (collectively, "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY") that are used in, and
         material to, the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as
         currently conducted, and any such patents, trademarks, trade names,
         service marks and copyrights held by the Company and/or its
         Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting except, in any such case, as
         would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (m) BROKERS AND FINDERS. Neither the Company nor any of its
         officers, directors or employees has employed any broker or finder or
         incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finders'
         fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
         based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any of
         its Subsidiaries, except that the Company has employed CSFB as its
         financial advisor pursuant to a written agreement, a true and accurate
         copy of which has previously been provided to the Purchasers.

                  (n) INSURANCE BUSINESS. (i) All actuarial reports with respect
         to the Company or any Company Insurance Company relied upon by the
         Company or any Company Insurance Company or Governmental Entity since
         December 31, 1999, and all attachments, addenda, supplements and
         modifications thereto (the "COMPANY ACTUARIAL ANALYSES"), were prepared
         using appropriate modeling and other procedures accurately applied, if
         relevant, and in conformity with generally accepted actuarial standards
         consistently applied, and the projections contained therein were
         properly prepared in accordance with the assumptions stated therein.
         The information and data

<Page>
                                      -23-

         furnished by the Company or any Company Insurance Company to its
         independent actuaries in connection with the preparation of the Company
         Actuarial Analyses were accurate in all material respects.

                 (ii) The Company Insurance Companies are in compliance in all
         material respects with the underwriting guidelines applicable thereto.

                (iii) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be
         reasonably likely to result in a material liability to the Company, (A)
         each separate account maintained by a Company Insurance Company (a
         "SEPARATE ACCOUNT") is duly and validly established and maintained
         under the laws of its state of formation and is either exempt from
         registration under the 1940 Act or is duly registered as an investment
         company under the 1940 Act, and (B) each such Separate Account is
         operated and all of its operations conducted, and each contract issued
         by a Company Insurance Company under which Separate Account assets are
         held has been duly and validly issued, offered and sold, in compliance
         with all applicable Laws.

                  (o) MATERIAL CONTRACTS. (i) Other than contracts or amendments
         thereto that have been disclosed in or have been filed as an Exhibit to
         a Company Report filed prior to the date hereof, neither the Company
         nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or otherwise bound by any
         Material Contract. "MATERIAL CONTRACT" means, with respect to any
         Person, any Contract that is material to the business, financial
         position or results of operations of such Person and its Subsidiaries,
         taken as a whole, including (A) any employment, severance, termination,
         consulting or retirement contract with an officer or member of senior
         management, and (B) any material Contract relating to the borrowing of
         money or the guarantee of any such obligation.

                 (ii) All of the Company's Material Contracts are in full force
         and effect. True and complete copies of all such Material Contracts not
         filed as exhibits to the Company Reports prior to the date hereof have
         been delivered or made available by the Company to Purchasers. Neither
         the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the
         Company, any other party is in breach of or in default under any such
         Material Contract. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
         party to any (A) Contract containing any provision or covenant limiting
         in any material respect the ability of the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries to (1) sell any products or services to any other Person,
         (2) engage in any line of business, or (3) compete with any Person, or
         (B) except for employment agreements disclosed pursuant to another
         Section of this Agreement or as provided in the certificate of
         incorporation, memorandum of association, Bye-laws or other constituent
         documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any Contract
         providing for indemnification of directors or executive offi-

<Page>
                                      -24-

         cers of the Company in their capacity as such except as would not have
         a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (p) RISK MANAGEMENT; DERIVATIVES. (i) The Company and its
         Subsidiaries have in place risk management policies and procedures
         sufficient in scope and operation to protect against risks of the type
         and in amounts reasonably expected to be incurred by Persons of similar
         size and in similar lines of business as the Company and its
         Subsidiaries.

                  (ii) The adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting
         Standards No. 133 will not have a material and adverse impact on the
         Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

                (iii) All material derivative instruments, including, without
         limitation, swaps, caps, floors and option agreements, whether entered
         into for the Company's own account, or for the account of one or more
         of its Subsidiaries or their customers, were entered into (A) only for
         purposes of mitigating identified risk or as a means of managing the
         Company's long-term debt objectives, (B) in accordance with prudent
         practices and in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules,
         regulations and regulatory policies, and (C) with counterparties
         believed by the Company to be financially responsible at the time; and
         each of them constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of
         the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, enforceable in accordance with
         its terms, and are in full force and effect. Neither the Company nor
         its Subsidiaries, nor to the Company's Knowledge any other party
         thereto, is in breach of any of its material obligations under any such
         agreement or arrangement.

                  (q) AVIATION TREATIES. The Company Disclosure Letter sets
         forth a list of all reinsurance treaties relating to aviation insurance
         written by the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to which the
         Company or any Subsidiary of the Company may be claimed against,
         together with a description of the material terms of such treaties (the
         "AVIATION TREATIES"). The information set forth in such schedule, as of
         the date hereof, fairly and accurately describes the Aviation Treaties
         and reasonably estimates, as of the date hereof, any liabilities that
         the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to
         incur in connection therewith.

                  4. COVENANTS. The Company and the Purchasers (severally and
not jointly) hereby covenant and agree as follows:

                  (a) CONDUCT OF THE COMPANY. The Company agrees that from the
         date hereof until the Closing Date, (i) except as set forth in the
         Disclosure Letter or as otherwise expressly permitted or required by
         Sections D.4.b, D.4.e, D.4.h or Section E of this Agreement, or (ii)
         except with the prior written consent of the Purchasers (which

<Page>
                                      -25-

         consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Company and
         its Subsidiaries may conduct insurance and reinsurance businesses and
         operations and, in the ordinary course consistent with past practice,
         its other businesses and operations, and shall use their reasonable
         efforts to preserve intact their business organizations and material
         relationships with third parties and to keep available the services of
         their present officers and employees. Without limiting the generality
         of the foregoing, from the date hereof until the Closing Date, except
         as set forth in the Disclosure Letter or as expressly permitted or
         required by Sections D.4.b, D.4.e, D.4.h or Section E of this
         Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Purchasers:

                  (A) the Company will not amend, or propose to amend, its
         Certificate of Incorporation, memorandum of association, bye-laws or
         other organizational documents;

                  (B) the Company will not, and will not permit any of its
         Subsidiaries to, merge or consolidate with any other person;

                  (C) the Company will not split, combine, subdivide, redeem or
         reclassify its shares or declare, set aside, make, or pay any dividend
         or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any
         combination thereof) in respect of its share capital and other equity
         interests;

                  (D) the Company will not, directly or indirectly, redeem,
         repurchase or otherwise acquire or offer to redeem, repurchase, or
         otherwise acquire, any of its securities;

                  (E) the Company will not (i) issue, deliver or sell, or
         authorize the issuance, delivery or sale of, any of its shares, or any
         securities convertible into or exercisable for, or any rights, warrants
         or options to acquire, any of its shares, grant any additional options
         to purchase Common Shares, or grant to any person any right to acquire
         any shares of the Company or any right, the value of which is based on
         the value of Common Shares, other than the issuance of Common Shares
         upon the exercise of share options outstanding on the date hereof in
         accordance with their present terms, (ii) enter into any agreement
         restricting the transfer of, or affecting the rights of holders of, the
         Company's securities, (iii) grant any preemptive or antidilutive rights
         with respect to any of the Company's securities, (iv) grant any
         registration rights with respect to the Company's securities, or (v)
         amend in any term of any outstanding securities of the Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries;

                  (F) the Company will not acquire any assets or properties for
         cash or otherwise for an amount in excess of $500,000, in the
         aggregate;

<Page>
                                      -26-

                  (G) the Company will not, and will not permit any of its
         Subsidiaries to, acquire (whether pursuant to merger, stock or asset
         purchase, joint venture or otherwise) in one transaction or series of
         related transactions any equity interest in, or all or substantially
         all of the assets of, any person or any business or division of any
         person;

                  (H) the Company will not, and will not permit any of its
         Subsidiaries to, incur indebtedness for borrowed money, guarantee any
         indebtedness, issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or rights
         to acquire any debt securities of the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries or guarantee any debt securities of others (collectively
         "DEBT") in excess of $500,000, or prepay or refinance any indebtedness
         for Borrower's money;

                  (I) the Company will not, and will not permit any of its
         Subsidiaries to, sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of, any
         material amount of assets, securities or property, except pursuant to
         existing contracts or commitments;

                  (J) the Company will not (i) change its tax or financial
         accounting policies, practices or methods except as required by
         accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or by the rules
         and regulations of the SEC or (ii) make any tax election, file any tax
         return or settle any tax contest or other matter, in each case, other
         than in a manner consistent with past practice;

                  (K) the First American portion of the Core Insurance
         Operations shall not bind any gross or net insurance risk without the
         approval of Messrs. Ingrey, Evans or Grandisson;

                  (L) the Company will not replace the independent auditors of
         the Company;

                  (M) the Company will not increase by 5% or more the annual
         base compensation of any officer or key employee of the Company, or
         enter into or make any material change in any severance contract or
         arrangement with any such officer or key employee;

                  (N) the Company will not consummate a complete liquidation or
         dissolution of the Company, a merger or consolidation (i) in which the
         Company or any Subsidiary is a constituent corporation, or (ii) with
         respect to which the Common Shares would have the right to vote under
         applicable law, a sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
         assets, or any similar business combination;

<Page>
                                      -27-

                  (O) the Company will not approve the annual plan, annual
         capital expenditure budget or the five-year plan of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

                  (P) the Company will not remove the Chief Executive Officer or
         Chairman of the Company, or appoint a new Chief Executive Officer or
         Chairman of the Company;

                  (Q) the Company will not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to
         not, engage in any transaction with any officer, director, or affiliate
         of any officer or director, of the Company;

                  (R) the Company will not (i) establish, enter into or amend
         any collective bargaining agreement, Plan or Company Plan, including,
         without limitation, any severance plan, agreement or arrangement, (ii)
         increase the compensation payable or to become payable or the benefits
         provided to its current or former directors, officers, employees,
         consultants or service providers or (iii) accelerate the vesting or
         payment of the compensation payable or the benefits provided to any
         current or former director, officer, employee, consultant or service
         provider, in each case other than as required by applicable Law or any
         existing Company Plan; or

                  (S) the Company will not, and will not permit any of its
         Subsidiaries to, agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

                  Nothing in this Section D.4 shall grant to any Purchaser any
         right of consent (to the extent that such right would result in such
         Purchaser being deemed to "control" an insurance subsidiary of the
         Company that is domiciled in the United States where the exercise of
         such control would otherwise require the prior approval of such state).

                  (b) SHAREHOLDERS MEETING. The Company will cause a meeting of
         its shareholders (the "SHAREHOLDERS MEETING") to be duly called and
         held as soon as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date for the
         purpose of voting on (i) the adoption of an amendment (the "BYE-LAW
         AMENDMENT") of the Company's bye-law 45 and 75 in the form of EXHIBIT
         III hereto, and (ii) the proposal to obtain the Requisite Nasdaq
         Approval.

                  (c) PROXY STATEMENT. (i) Promptly after the Closing Date, the
         Company shall prepare and file with the SEC the proxy statement (the
         "PROXY STATEMENT") relating to the Shareholders Meeting. The Company
         shall mail the Proxy Statement to its shareholders as promptly as
         practicable after the Closing Date and, if necessary, after the Proxy
         Statement shall have been so mailed, promptly circulate amended,
         supple-

<Page>
                                      -28-

         mental or supplemented proxy material, and, if required in connection
         therewith, resolicit proxies. The parties acknowledge and agree that no
         shareholder approval is required prior to the Closing Date in
         connection with the sale and purchase of the Securities and the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                 (ii) The Company will advise the Purchasers and the Transaction
         Committee, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when
         any supplement or amendment has been filed or any request by the SEC
         for amendment of the Proxy Statement or comments thereon and responses
         thereto or requests by the SEC for additional information. If at any
         time the Company or the Purchasers, respectively, discover any
         information relating to the Company or the Purchasers, or any of their
         respective affiliates, officers or directors, that should be set forth
         in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement so that the
         document will not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit
         to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
         the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
         misleading, then the party that discovers any misleading information
         shall promptly notify the other parties hereto and an appropriate
         amendment or supplement describing the information shall be promptly
         filed with the SEC and, to the extent required by law or regulation,
         disseminated to the Company's shareholders.

                  (d) GOVERNMENT FILINGS. The Company and the Purchasers shall
         cooperate with one another in (i) determining whether any other action
         by or in respect of, or filing with, any federal, state or local court,
         administrative or regulatory agency or commission or other governmental
         authority or agency, domestic or foreign (each, a "GOVERNMENTAL
         ENTITY") is required in connection with the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated hereby or the effectiveness of the Bye-Law
         Amendment and (ii) seeking any consents, approvals or waivers, taking
         any actions, or making any filings, furnishing information required in
         connection therewith and seeking promptly to obtain any consents,
         approvals or waivers. The Company and the Purchasers agree, if
         required, to make an appropriate filing of a Notification and Report
         Form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the transactions
         contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable and to supply as
         promptly as practicable any additional information and documentary
         material that may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act and to take all
         other actions necessary to cause the expiration or termination of the
         applicable waiting period under the HSR Act as soon as practicable.

                  (e) DISPOSITIONS; PENDING ACQUISITIONS. Prior to the Closing,
         the Company shall endeavor in good faith, subject to prevailing market
         conditions, to (i) sell, and cause its Subsidiaries to sell, all
         marketable securities, publicly traded equity securities,
         non-investment grade debt securities and illiquid securities owned by
         it (other than shares of any Subsidiary) and (ii) invest the proceeds
         from such sales prior to

<Page>
                                      -29-

         Closing Date in short-term, liquid, investment grade debt securities,
         and after the Closing Date, as determined by Board of Directors.(3) The
         Company shall also use its commercially reasonable efforts to
         consummate the acquisition of Rock River.

                  (f) PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Upon the execution of this
         Agreement, the Company and the Purchasers will consult with each other
         with respect to the issuance of a press release to be released by the
         Company with respect to this Agreement and the transactions
         contemplated hereby, which release shall require the prior approval of
         the Purchasers. Prior to the Closing Date, except as otherwise agreed
         to by the parties, the parties shall not issue any report, statement or
         press release or otherwise make any public statements with respect to
         this Agreement, except as in the reasonable judgment of the party may
         be required by law, any national stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock
         Market or in connection with the obligations of a publicly-held
         company. The Company and the Purchasers will consult with each other
         with respect to the issuance of a press release on or after the Closing
         Date with respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
         by this Agreement, which release shall require the prior approval of
         the Purchasers.

                  (g) ACCESS; INFORMATION. From the date hereof until the
         Closing Date and subject to applicable law, the Company shall (i) give
         to each Purchaser, its counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other
         authorized representatives reasonable access to the offices,
         properties, books and records of such party, (ii) provide access to
         each Purchaser, its counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other
         authorized representatives to such financial and operating data and
         other information as such persons may reasonably request and (iii)
         instruct its employees, counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other
         authorized representatives to cooperate with the Purchasers in its
         investigation. Any investigation pursuant to this Section shall be
         conducted in such manner as not to

----------
(3)      Amendment No. 1: "The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the
         Company has not liquidated its investment portfolio prior to Closing in
         accordance with the first sentence of Section D.4(e). From and after
         Closing, and prior to the time of the audit adjustment contemplated by
         Section B.1 (the "AUDIT ADJUSTMENT"), the Company will sell the portion
         of its investment portfolio not theretofore sold which is listed in
         Schedule 3 to Amendment No. 1. With respect to such sales from and
         after Closing and prior to the audit adjustment, in calculating the Per
         Share Price, the actual prices realized upon the sale of such
         securities shall be used in the Mark to Market Procedures, in lieu of
         the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of business
         on the third business day immediately preceding the Closing Date."

<Page>
                                      -30-

         interfere unreasonably with the conduct of the business of the Company.
         Unless otherwise required by law, each Purchaser will hold, and will
         cause its respective officers, employees, counsel, financial advisors,
         auditors and other authorized representatives to hold, any nonpublic
         information obtained in any such investigation or otherwise, when
         conducted before or after the date hereof, in confidence and shall not
         use for its own benefit in a manner adverse to the Company, and shall
         take reasonable steps to prevent disclosure of, any confidential
         information that it receives, and shall use at least the same degree of
         care to avoid disclosure of such information as it uses with respect to
         its own confidential information; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no Purchaser
         shall have any obligations hereunder with respect to information which
         (A) is known by such Purchaser on a non-confidential basis at the time
         of disclosure by the Company, (B) is at the time of disclosure, or
         becomes thereafter, publicly available other than pursuant to a breach
         of this subsection by such Purchaser, (C) is received from a third
         party without restriction on further disclosure, (D) is independently
         developed by such Purchaser, or (E) is requested or required to be
         disclosed by self-regulatory organizations or by applicable law on
         request of any Governmental Entity. In the event of clause (E), such
         Purchaser will give prior notice to the Company of such disclosure in
         order to enable the Company to seek a protective order or other remedy
         or to waive compliance with this subsection.

                  Each Purchaser shall give to the Company and its counsel such
         information regarding ownership of the Company, ownership of such
         Purchaser and related areas as they reasonably request in connection
         with preparing disclosure in filings under the Act or the Exchange Act
         on issues arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
         including the rules applicable to "controlled foreign corporations"
         thereunder.

                  The Company shall, to the extent practicable, cause its
         Subsidiaries to maintain under separate ledgers the components
         necessary to calculate the Adjustment Basket.

<Page>
                                      -31-

                  (h) INDEMNIFICATION; INSURANCE. (i) To the fullest extent
         permitted by law, from and after the Closing Date, all rights to
         indemnification as of the date hereof in favor of the directors,
         officers, employees and agents of the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries with respect to their activities as such prior to the
         Closing Date and, with respect to the Transaction Committee also, after
         the Closing Date, as provided in the bye-laws or other organizational
         documents of the Company and its Subsidiaries in effect on the date
         hereof, or otherwise in effect on the date hereof, shall continue in
         full force and effect for a period of not less than six years from the
         Closing Date. The Purchasers shall not cause the Company to take any
         action inconsistent with this Section D.4.h.

                 (ii) To the extent, if any, not provided by an existing right
         of indemnification or other agreement or policy, after the Closing
         Date, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
         law, indemnify and hold harmless, each present and former director or
         officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the
         "INDEMNIFIED PARTIES") against all costs and expenses (including
         reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages,
         liabilities and settlement amounts paid in connection with any claim,
         action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether arising before or
         after the Closing Date), whether civil, administrative or
         investigative, arising out of or pertaining to any action or omission
         in their capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the
         Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case before the Closing
         Date (including the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) and,
         with respect to the Transaction Committee, also after the Closing Date.
         In the event of any such costs, expenses, judgments, fines, losses,
         claims, damages, liabilities or settlement amounts (whether or not
         arising before the Closing Date), (A) the Company shall pay the
         reasonable fees and expenses of counsel selected by the Indemnified
         Parties, which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company,
         promptly after statements therefor are received, and otherwise advance
         to the Indemnified Parties upon request reimbursement of documented
         expenses reasonably incurred, in either case, to the extent not
         prohibited by the applicable law and (B) the Company shall cooperate in
         the defense of any such matter. In the event any Indemnified Party is
         required to bring any action to enforce rights or to collect moneys due
         under this Agreement and is successful in such action, the Company
         shall reimburse such Indemnified Party for all of its expenses in
         bringing and pursuing such action.

                (iii) For a period of at least six (6) years after the Closing
         Date, the Company shall cause to be maintained in effect the directors'
         and officers' liability insurance policies maintained by the Company
         and its Subsidiaries or substitute policies with at least the same
         coverage containing terms and conditions which are substantially
         equivalent with respect to matters occurring prior to the Closing Date,
         but the

<Page>
                                      -32-

         Company shall not, in any event, be required to pay more than 200% of
         the current cost of such coverage.

                 (iv) In the event the Company or any of its successors or
         assigns (A) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall
         not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
         consolidation or merger or (B) transfers all or substantially all of
         its properties and assets to any person, then, and in either such case,
         proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of
         the Company, shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section
         D.4.h. This Section D.4.i is intended to benefit (and shall be
         enforceable by) the Indemnified Parties and their respective heirs,
         executors and personal representatives.

                  (i) FURTHER ASSURANCES. Subject to the terms and conditions of
         this Agreement, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its reasonable
         best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and to do, or
         cause to be done, all things necessary or desirable under applicable
         legal requirements, to consummate and make effective the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement. If at any time after the Closing Date,
         any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes
         of this Agreement, the parties hereto shall use their reasonable best
         efforts to take or cause to be taken all such necessary or desirable
         action and execute, and deliver and file, or cause to be executed,
         delivered and filed, all necessary or desirable documentation.

                  (j) CERTAIN TAX MATTERS. (i) With respect to each taxable year
         during which any Purchaser owns shares of the Company, the Company
         shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Company and each of
         its Subsidiaries (A) not to constitute a "passive foreign investment
         company" within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code, (B) not to
         satisfy the gross income requirement set forth in Section 542(a) of the
         Code, (C) not to satisfy the gross income requirement set forth in
         Section 552(a) of the Code, and (D) not to have any related person
         insurance income within the meaning of Section 953(c)(2) of the Code.

                 (ii) In the event that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
         constitutes a personal holding company, a foreign personal holding
         company, a controlled foreign corporation, a foreign investment company
         or a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax
         purposes with respect to any taxable year, the Company shall provide,
         and shall cause its Subsidiaries to provide, each Purchaser with such
         information as such Purchaser may reasonably request to satisfy its
         legitimate tax, accounting or other reporting requirements.

                  (k) LISTING. The Company acknowledges that it will arrange for
         the listing of the Common Shares issuable upon conversion or exercise
         of the Preference Shares and Warrants on the Nasdaq Stock Market, to
         the extent not so listed (it being under-

<Page>
                                      -33-

         stood that, prior to the Requisite Shareholder Approval, the Company
         shall not be obligated to list more Common Shares than it is then
         permitted to issue under applicable Nasdaq rules).(4)

                  (l) FCPA. The Company shall, as promptly as practicable, adopt
         a policy and establish procedures designed to ensure that the Company
         and its subsidiaries shall not act in violation of the Foreign Corrupt
         Practices Act of 1977, as amended (15 U.S.C. Section 78dd-1, ET SEQ.),
         as if it were applicable to the Company.(5)

E.       RIGHT TO EXCHANGE PREFERENCE SHARES

                  1. FORMATION OF NEWCO. The Company shall use best efforts to
(a) form a wholly owned Subsidiary ("NEWCO") to which the Company shall
contribute 100% of its equity interest in Arch Reinsurance Ltd., a Bermuda
company ("ARL") and (b) contribute, or cause the appropriate Subsidiary to
contribute, all Core Insurance Operations other than Arch Reinsurance Company, a
Nebraska corporation ("ARC"), in each case, no later than 90 days after the
Closing Date (subject, in the case of direct or indirect contribution of U.S.
domiciled insurance companies, to any necessary regulatory approvals or material
third party approvals). From and after such formation and contribution, the
Company shall not engage in the insurance business other than through Newco,
except for (i) its holding of ARC and (ii) the operations of American
Independent Insurance Holding Company, a Pennsylvania corporation ("AIIH") and
Hales & Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation ("HALE"), but only to the extent of
the current nature and scope of such operations of AIIH and Hale. The Company
shall (1) use its best efforts to cause Newco to have the benefit of, or obtain
independently, the same insurance authorizations as currently held by ARC, and
(2) seek to accomplish the transactions contemplated by this paragraph in as
tax-efficient a manner as possible.

                  2. CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF NEWCO. Newco shall be a company
organized under the laws of Bermuda, with a number and kind of authorized and
outstanding capital shares (including shares and warrants identical to the
Preference Shares and Warrants), and a memorandum of association and bye-laws
that replicate, as nearly as possible, those of the Company. All of such
outstanding shares shall, upon such formation and contribution, be held by the
Company. Until the latest of (a) the receipt of Requisite Shareholder Approval,
(b) the receipt of Requisite Regulatory Approval and (c) ninety days following
the Fourth

----------
(4)      Added by Amendment No. 1.

(5)      Added by Amendment No. 1.

<Page>
                                      -34-

Anniversary Adjustment Date, to the extent that the number and kind of
outstanding capital shares of the Company change from time to time, a
corresponding adjustment shall be made by the Company in the number and kind of
outstanding capital shares of Newco.

                  3. EXCHANGE RIGHT.(6) From and after the occurrence of an
Exchange Trigger Event, the Preference Shares and Warrants may be exchanged, in
whole or in part (provided that Preference Shares representing a minimum of $150
million in Liquidation Preference shall be required for the initial such
exchange), for preference shares and warrants of Newco bearing identical rights
and privileges, including the right to convert into, or be exercised for, common
shares of Newco. Such right to exchange shall be exercisable upon delivery to
the Company and Newco of an exchange notice, which notice shall specify the
number of Preference Shares and Warrants surrendered for exchange. Once
delivered, the exchange notice shall be irrevocable, subject to the delivery of
the required preference shares and/or warrants of Newco by the Company to the
surrendering holder. Each exchange shall be deemed to have been effected at the
close of business on the date of receipt by the Company of the exchange notice,
and the person exercising such exchange right shall be deemed to be the record
holder of Newco preference shares and/or warrants as of the close of business on
such date. From and after the exercise of such exchange right, the Company shall
replicate, as nearly as possible, the rights and benefits, including governance
rights and registration rights, provided for the benefit of Purchasers under
this Agreement, the Certificate, the Shareholders Agreement and as otherwise
contemplated under this Agreement for the benefit of the holders of preference
shares and/or warrants of Newco. An "EXCHANGE TRIGGER EVENT" shall mean any one
or more of the following: (a) failure to obtain the Requisite Shareholder
Approval (unless such failure was due to a breach by the Purchaser of a covenant
hereunder) within five months of the Closing Date, (b) failure to obtain the
Requisite Regulatory Approval (unless such failure was due to a breach by the
Purchaser of a covenant hereunder) within six months of the Closing Date or (c)
if the Adjustment Basket (as determined pursuant to paragraphs (a) through (g)
of Section B.3) is less than zero and its absolute value at any time exceeds
$250 million.

----------
(6)      Amendment No. 1: "The parties hereto acknowledge that in the event that
         Section E.3 becomes applicable, and the Purchasers are entitled to
         preference shares and warrants of Newco bearing "identical rights and
         privileges", such securities shall not include the voting limitations
         imposed under Sections (f)(3)(B) or (C) of the Certificate for
         Preference Shares pending Requisite Shareholder Approval or Requisite
         Regulatory Approval to the extent such approvals are not required for
         the issuance or acquisition of Newco securities."

<Page>
                                      -35-

                  4. MAINTENANCE OF NEWCO. Until the latest of (a) the receipt
of Requisite Shareholder Approval, (b) the receipt of Requisite Regulatory
Approval and (c) ninety days following the Fourth Anniversary Adjustment Date,
the Company shall maintain intact the business, customers and employees of Newco
and its operations as contemplated by Section E.1 and shall not (i) sell,
dispose, exchange or distribute by way of dividend or otherwise any of the
capital stock of Newco, (ii) sell, dispose, or exchange any assets of Newco,
except in the ordinary course of business and to the extent the proceeds are
retained in Newco, (iii) pay any dividend or distribution to the Company, or
(iv) permit Newco, or any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any merger, business
combination, consolidation or other similar transaction except for such
transactions between wholly owned Subsidiaries of Newco.

                  5. FAILURE OF REGULATORY APPROVAL. To the extent approval of
any governmental authority is necessary either (a) for the Company to satisfy
its obligations under Section E.1, or (b) for a holder of Preference Shares or
Warrants to exercise its exchange right under clause (3) above, and such
approval has not occurred at the time a holder gives an exchange notice, the
Company will hold Newco, the assets and operations to be contributed in Newco,
and ARC in trust for the benefit of such exchanging holder, and shall use best
efforts to restructure such holdings, if necessary, to obtain such approval, or
to provide the same economic and governance benefit as intended to be provided
by the exchange right for preference shares and warrants of Newco.

                  6. MODIFICATION OR AMENDMENT. The original signatories(7) to
this Agreement shall be the sole parties required to agree with the Company to
any modification amendment or waiver of the provisions of this Section E and no
other holder of Preference Shares shall have such consent rights.

F.       ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

                  1. MODIFICATION. This Agreement may not be modified, amended
or supplemented except in writing and signed by the party against whom any
modification, amendment or supplement is sought. No term or condition of this
Agreement may be, or will be deemed to have been, waived except in writing by
the party charged with the waiver. A waiver shall operate only as to the
specific term or condition waived and will not constitute a waiver for the
future or act on anything other than that which is specifically waived. Any
modification, amendment, supplement or waiver to be executed by the Company must
be approved by the Transaction Committee.

----------
(7)      The parties hereto acknowledge that from and after the Closing the
         reference to "original signatories" in Section E.6 shall mean Warburg
         and H&F as defined herein.
<Page>
                                      -36-

                  2. PURCHASERS' COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Company will reimburse
the Purchasers for their costs and expenses in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, (a) the fees and
expenses of the Purchaser's accountants, attorneys and other advisors and (b)
any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and any out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred in connection with any claims, disputes, proceedings or
litigation arising directly or indirectly out of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, provided that any such reimbursed costs and expenses shall
not be reflected in any reduction of Book Value included under "C" in Schedule
B.

                  3. NOTICES. Any notice or other communications required or
permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, by hand delivery (including courier services), or by facsimile as
follows:

                  if to the Company, to:

                         Arch Capital Group Ltd.
                         20 Horseneck Lane
                         Greenwich, CT  06830
                         Attention:  General Counsel
                         Facsimile:  (203) 861-7240

                  with copies to:

                         Cahill Gordon & Reindel
                         80 Pine Street
                         New York, NY  10005
                         Attention:  Immanuel Kohn, Esq.
                         Facsimile:  (212) 269-5420

and if to any Purchaser, at its address set forth on the signature pages hereof
or, with respect to the Company and the Purchasers, to such other person or
address as either party shall specify by like notice to the other party. Any
notice or communication shall be deemed given or made (a) when delivered by
hand, (b) when mailed, three business days after being deposited in the mail,
postage prepaid, sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and (c) when
sent by facsimile, receipt acknowledged.

                  4. SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS. This Agreement and all of the terms
and provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; PROVIDED that this
Agreement is not transferable or assignable by any Purchaser (other than to any
Affiliate of such Purchaser) without the Company's consent. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a Purchaser shall be free to assign its rights and ob-

<Page>
                                      -37-

ligations hereunder with respect to up to 30% of such Purchaser's Total Purchase
Price to any Person previously discussed with the Company, provided that such
assignee becomes a party hereto, whereupon such assignee shall have the rights
of, and be subject to the obligations of, a "Purchaser" hereunder. Following any
assignment (including from a Purchaser to its Affiliates) the assignor shall
have no further obligations under, and shall have no rights or benefits of any
kind under, the Agreement with respect to the subscription so assigned.
Following the assignment by any of the signatories on pages S-2 to S-5 (
"WARBURG PURCHASER") to its Affiliate, such Warburg Purchaser shall have no
further obligations under, and shall have no rights or benefits of any kind
under, this Agreement.

                  5. TRANSACTION COMMITTEE. During the period from the date of
this Agreement through the Fourth Anniversary Adjustment Date, in the event that
the Company's Board of Directors is required to act with respect to (a) an
amendment, modification or waiver of rights under, this Agreement, the
Certificate, the Warrants or the Shareholders Agreement (the "RELATED
AGREEMENTS"), (b) the enforcement of obligations of the Purchasers under the
Related Agreements or (c) approval of actions relating to the disposition of
Non-Core Assets, such action shall be deemed approved by the Board if approved
by the Transaction Committee.

                  6. GOVERNING LAW. The validity and effects of this Agreement
shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York.

                  7. SURVIVAL. The representations and warranties set forth in
Section D.3 of this Agreement shall survive the Closing Date, but the exclusive
remedy shall be through the Adjustment Basket(s) contemplated by Section B.3. of
this Agreement.

                  8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement among the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements,
understandings and arrangements, oral or written, among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof.

                  9. SEVERABILITY. If any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
will not affect any other provision hereof.

                  10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original and all of which
together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

                  11. CURRENCIES. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all
payments and currency amounts indicated herein refer to and shall be denominated
in United States Dollars. "Dollars" and "$" shall denote United States Dollars.

<Page>
                                      -38-

                            [Signature pages follow]
<Page>
                                      S-1

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has executed this Amendment as
of the date first above-written.

                           WARBURG PINCUS NETHERLANDS
                              INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS I, C.V.,

                           WARBURG PINCUS NETHERLANDS
                              INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS II, C.V.,

                           By: Warburg, Pincus & Co.,
                                    its General Partner

                           By:    /s/ KEWSONG LEE
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Kewsong Lee
                                  Title:    Partner

                           WARBURG PINCUS (BERMUDA) PRIVATE EQUITY VIII, L.P.

                           By: Warburg Pincus (Bermuda)
                                    Private Equity Ltd.,
                                    its General Partner

                           By:    /s/ KEWSONG LEE
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Kewsong Lee
                                  Title:    Partner
<Page>
                                      S-2

                           WARBURG PINCUS (BERMUDA)
                             INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS, L.P.

                           By: Warburg Pincus (Bermuda)
                                    International Ltd.,
                                    its General Partner

                           By:    /s/ KEWSONG LEE
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Kewsong Lee
                                  Title:    Partner

                           HFCP IV (BERMUDA), L.P.,

                           By:    H&F Investors IV (Bermuda), L.P.

                                  By:    H&F Corporate Investors IV
                                         (Bermuda) Ltd.,
                                         its General Partner

                                  By:       /s/ DAVID R. TUNNELL
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  David R. Tunnell
                                            Title:  Authorized Signatory

                           H&F INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
                              IV-A (BERMUDA), L.P.

                           By:    H&F Investors IV (Bermuda), L.P.,
                                  its General Partner

                                  By:    H&F Corporate Investors IV (Bermuda),
                                         Ltd., its General Partner,

                                  By:       /s/ DAVID R. TUNNELL
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  David R. Tunnell
                                            Title:  Authorized Signatory

<Page>
                                      S-3

                           H&F INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
                              IV-B (BERMUDA), L.P.

                           By:    H&F Investors IV (Bermuda), L.P.

                                  By:    H&F Corporation Investors IV (Bermuda),
                                         Ltd., its General Partner,

                                  By:       /s/ DAVID R. TUNNELL
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  David R. Tunnell
                                            Title:  Authorized Signatory

                           H&F EXECUTIVE FUND IV
                              (BERMUDA), L.P.

                           By:    H&F Investors IV (Bermuda), L.P.,
                                  its General Partner

                                  By:    H&F Corporate Investors IV (Bermuda),
                                         Ltd., its General Partner

                                  By:       /s/ DAVID R. TUNNELL
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  David R. Tunnell
                                            Title:  Authorized Signatory

<Page>
                                      S-4

                           FARALLON CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.

                           By: Farallon Partners, L.L.C.,
                                    its General Partner

                           By:    /s/ MONICA R. LANDRY
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Monica R. Landry
                                  Title:    Managing Member

                           Notice Information for Farallon Capital
                           Partners, L.P.:

                           c/o Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C.
                           One Maritime Plaza
                           Suite 1325
                           San Francisco, CA  94111
                           Attention:  Mark Wehrly and Sarah Aitcheson
                           Telephone:  (415) 421-2132
                           Facsimile:  (415) 421-2133

<Page>
                                      S-5

                           FARALLON CAPITAL INSTITUTIONAL
                              PARTNERS II, L.P.

                           By: Farallon Partners, L.L.C.,
                                    its General Partner

                           By:    /s/ MONICA R. LANDRY
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Monica R. Landry
                                  Title:    Managing Member

                           Notice Information for Farallon Capital Institutional
                           Partners II, L.P.:

                           c/o Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C.
                           One Maritime Plaza
                           Suite 1325
                           San Francisco, CA  94111
                           Attention:  Mark Wehrly and Sarah Aitcheson
                           Telephone:  (415) 421-2132
                           Facsimile:  (415) 421-2133

<Page>
                                      S-6

                           FARALLON CAPITAL INSTITUTIONAL
                              PARTNERS III, L.P.

                           By: Farallon Partners, L.L.C.,
                                    its General Partner

                           By:    /s/ MONICA R. LANDRY
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Monica R. Landry
                                  Title:    Managing Member

                           Notice Information for Farallon Capital Institutional
                           Partners III, L.P.:

                           c/o Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C.
                           One Maritime Plaza
                           Suite 1325
                           San Francisco, CA  94111
                           Attention:  Mark Wehrly and Sarah Aitcheson
                           Telephone:  (415) 421-2132
                           Facsimile:  (415) 421-2133

<Page>
                                      S-7

                           RR CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.

                           By: Farallon Partners, L.L.C.,
                                    its General Partner

                           By:    /s/ MONICA R. LANDRY
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Monica R. Landry
                                  Title:    Managing Member

                           Notice Information for RR Capital
                           Partners, L.P.:

                           c/o Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C.
                           One Maritime Plaza
                           Suite 1325
                           San Francisco, CA  94111
                           Attention:  Mark Wehrly and Sarah Aitcheson
                           Telephone:  (415) 421-2132
                           Facsimile:  (415) 421-2133

<Page>
                                      S-8

                           TRIDENT II, L.P.

                           By: MMC Capital, Inc.,
                                    as Manager

                           By:    /s/ DAVID J. WERMUTH
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     David J. Wermuth
                                  Title:    Principal

                           Notice Information for Trident II, L.P.:

                           c/o Maples and Calder Ugland House
                           South Church Street
                           George Town Grand Cayman
                           Cayman Islands, British West Indies
                           Attention:  Charles Jennings
                           Facsimile:  (345) 949-8080

                           and

                           c/o MMC Capital, Inc.
                           20 Horseneck Lane
                           Greenwich, CT  06830
                           Attention:  David Wermuth
                           Facsimile:  (203) 862-2925

<Page>
                                      S-9

                           MARSH & MCLENNAN CAPITAL
                              PROFESSIONALS FUND, L.P.

                           By:      MMC Capital, Inc.,
                                    as Manager

                           By:    /s/ DAVID J. WERMUTH
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     David J. Wermuth
                                  Title:    Principal

                           Notice Information for Marsh & McLennan Capital
                           Professionals Fund, L.P.:

                           c/o Maples and Calder Ugland House
                           South Church Street
                           George Town Grand Cayman
                           Cayman Islands, British West Indies
                           Attention:  Charles Jennings
                           Facsimile:  (345) 949-8080

                           and

                           c/o MMC Capital, Inc.
                           20 Horseneck Lane
                           Greenwich, CT  06830
                           Attention:  David Wermuth
                           Facsimile:  (203) 862-2925

<Page>
                                      S-10

                           MARSH & MCLENNAN EMPLOYEES'
                              SECURITIES COMPANY, L.P.

                           By: MMC Capital, Inc.,
                                    as Manager

                           By:    /s/ DAVID J. WERMUTH
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     David J. Wermuth
                                  Title:    Principal

                           Notice Information for Marsh & McLennan
                           Employees' Securities Company, L.P.:

                           c/o Maples and Calder Ugland House
                           South Church Street
                           George Town Grand Cayman
                           Cayman Islands, British West Indies
                           Attention:  Charles Jennings
                           Facsimile:  (345) 949-8080

                           and

                           c/o MMC Capital, Inc.
                           20 Horseneck Lane
                           Greenwich, CT  06830
                           Attention:  David Wermuth
                           Facsimile:  (203) 862-2925

<Page>
                                      S-11

                           INSURANCE PRIVATE EQUITY
                              INVESTORS, L.L.C.

                           By: GE Asset Management Incorporated,
                                    its Manager

                           By:    /s/ PATRICK MCNEELA
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Patrick McNeela
                                  Title:    Vice President

                           Notice Information for Insurance Private
                           Equity Investors, L.L.C.:

                           c/o GE Asset Management Incorporated
                           3003 Summer Street
                           Stamford, CT  06905
                           Attention:  Michael M. Pastore, Esq.

                           ORBITAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

                           By:    /s/ LORRAINE HLIBOKI
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Lorraine Hliboki
                                  Title:    Attorney-in-fact

                           Notice Information for Orbital
                           Holdings, Ltd.:

                           c/o GE Capital
                           120 Longridge Rd.
                           Stamford, CT  06927

<Page>
                                      S-12

                           SOUND VIEW PARTNERS LP

                           By: Robert Clements,
                               its General Partner

                           By:    /s/ ROBERT CLEMENTS
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Robert Clements
                                  Title:    General Partner

                           Notice Information for Sound View Partners LP:

                           c/o Arch Capital Group Ltd.
                           20 Horseneck Lane
                           Greenwich, CT  06830
                           Attention:  Robert Clements
                           Facsimile:  (203) 625-8366

<Page>
                                      S-13

                           OTTER CAPITAL LLC

                           By:      John Pasquesi,
                                    its Managing Member

                           By:    /s/ JOHN PASQUESI
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     John Pasquesi
                                  Title:    Managing Member

                           Notice Information for Otter Capital LLC:

                           One Maritime Plaza, 12th Floor
                           San Francisco, CA  94111
                           Attention:  John Pasquesi
                           Facsimile:  (415) 788-0176

<Page>
                                      S-14

                           PETER A. APPEL

                           By:    /s/ PETER A. APPEL
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Peter A. Appel

                           Notice Information for Peter A. Appel:

                           c/o Arch Capital Group Ltd.
                           20 Horseneck Lane
                           Greenwich, CT  06830
                           Attention:  Peter A. Appel
                           Facsimile:  (203) 862-4460

<Page>
                                      S-15

                           PAUL B. INGREY

                           By:    /s/ PAUL B. INGREY
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Paul B. Ingrey

                           Notice Information for Paul B. Ingrey:

                           c/o Arch Reinsurance Ltd.
                           Wessex House
                           45 Reid Street
                           Hamilton HM 12
                           Bermuda
                           Attention:  Paul B. Ingrey
                           Facsimile:  (441) 296-8241

<Page>
                                      S-16

                           DWIGHT R. EVANS

                           By:    /s/ DWIGHT R. EVANS
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Dwight R. Evans

                           Notice Information for Dwight R. Evans:

                           8 Kent Place
                           Westfield, NJ 07090
                           Attention:  Dwight R. Evans

<Page>
                                      S-17

                           MARC GRANDISSON

                           By:    /s/ MARC GRANDISSON
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Marc Grandisson

                           Notice Information for Marc Grandisson:

                           c/o Arch Reinsurance Ltd.
                           Wessex House
                           45 Reid Street
                           Hamilton HM 12
                           Bermuda
                           Attention:  Marc Grandisson
                           Facsimile:  (441) 296-8241

<Page>
                                      S-18

                           For purposes of the footnote to Section A.2. only:

                           TARACAY INVESTORS

                           By:      Robert Clements,
                                    Managing Partner

                           By:    /s/ ROBERT CLEMENTS
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Robert Clements

                           Notice Information for Taracay Investors:

                           c/o Arch Capital Group Ltd.
                           20 Horseneck Lane
                           Greenwich, CT  06830
                           Attention:  Robert Clements
                           Facsimile:  (203) 625-8366

<Page>
                                      S-19

                           For purposes of the footnote to Section A.2. only:

                           THE TRIDENT PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

                           By: Trident Corp.,
                                    its General Partner

                           By:    /s/ MARTINE PURSSELL
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Name:     Martine Purssell
                                  Title:    Assistant Secretary

                           Notice Information for The Trident Partnership, L.P.:

                           c/o Trident Corp., General Partner of The Trident
                                 Partnership, L.P.
                           Victoria Hall, 5th Floor
                           11 Victoria Street
                           Hamilton  HM  11
                           Bermuda
                           Attention:  Martine Purssell
                           Facsimile:  (441) 292-3793

<Page>
                                      S-20

                           For purposes of the footnote to Section A.2. only:

                           MARILYN CLEMENTS

                           /s/ MARILYN CLEMENTS
                           -----------------------------------------------------

                           For purposes of the footnote to Section A.2. only:

                           JEFFREY D. CLEMENTS

                           /s/ JEFFREY D. CLEMENTS
                           -----------------------------------------------------

                           For purposes of the footnote to Section A.2. only:

                           JOHN CLEMENTS

                           /s/ JOHN CLEMENTS
                           -----------------------------------------------------

                           For purposes of the footnote to Section A.2. only:

                           BEN T. CLEMENTS

                           /s/ BEN T. CLEMENTS
                           -----------------------------------------------------

                           For purposes of the footnote to Section A.2. only:

<Page>
                                      S-21

                           PAULA CLEMENTS SAGER

                           /s/ PAULA CLEMENTS SAGER
                           -----------------------------------------------------

<Page>
                                      S-22

                           For purposes of the footnote to Section A.2. only:

                           TRUST ESTABLISHED UNDER INDENTURE OF MARILYN CLEMENTS

                           By:    /s/ ROBERT CLEMENTS                          ,
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  as trustee

                           Notice Information for Marilyn Clements,
                           Jeffrey D. Clements, John Clements, Ben T. Clements,
                           Paula Clements Sager and Trust Established Under
                           Indenture of Marilyn Clements:

                           c/o Arch Capital Group Ltd.
                           20 Horseneck Lane
                           Greenwich, CT  06830
                           Attention:  Robert Clements
                           Facsimile:  (203) 625-8366
<Page>

                                                                      SCHEDULE A

                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

                  "ADJUSTED WARRANT AMOUNT" means, with respect to each
Purchaser, (a) the product of 0.5 times (b) an amount equal to (i) such
Purchaser's Total Purchase Price divided by (ii) the Estimated Per Share Price
minus $1.50.

                  "AFFILIATE" shall have the same meaning as set forth in the
Shareholder Agreement.

                  "COMMON SHARES" means the common shares, par value $0.01 per
share, of the Company.

                  "CORE INSURANCE OPERATIONS" shall mean the following assets
and capital:

                           (i)      Arch Reinsurance Ltd., a Bermuda company
                                    ("ARL"),

                           (ii)     Arch Capital Group (U.S.) Inc., a Delaware
                                    corporation ("ACG(US)"),

                           (iii)    Arch Reinsurance Company, a Nebraska
                                    corporation ("ARC"),

                           (iv)     Cross River Insurance Company, a Nebraska
                                    corporation (including funding for Rock
                                    River Insurance Company, a Wisconsin
                                    corporation ("ROCK RIVER")),

                           (v)      Arch Risk Transfer Services Ltd., a Cayman
                                    Islands company (including First American
                                    Financial Corporation, a Missouri
                                    corporation),

                           (vi)     capital held at the holding company level,
                                    gross of capital to be invested in unfunded
                                    private equity commitments which, when
                                    funded, shall be deemed to be Non-Core
                                    Assets, and

                           (vii)    $2.5 million in segregated assets and
                                    liabilities in cell companies.

                  "ESTIMATED PER SHARE PRICE"(8) means (a) the Company's total
shareholders' equity as of June 30, 2001 as set forth on its unaudited
consolidated balance sheet as of such

----------
(8)      Amendment No. 1: "The parties hereto acknowledge that for purposes of
         calculating
                                                Footnote continued on next page.

                                      A-1
<Page>

date (which is $271,652,000), adjusted using the Mark to Market Procedures, so
that marketable securities in the Company's investment portfolio are valued at
their estimated fair value as of the close of business on the third business day
preceding the Closing Date in accordance with GAAP, divided by (b) the total
number of Common Shares outstanding as of June 30, 2001 (which is 12,863,079).

                  "EXCHANGE ACT" means the United States Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.

                  "FAIR MARKET VALUE" shall mean (a) with respect to Common
Shares, the average of the high and low daily sales price on the Nasdaq of the
Common Shares for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date of which
Fair Market Value is to be calculated, and (b) with respect to a security
convertible into exchangeable for Common Shares, the product of (i) the average
of the high and low daily sales price on the Nasdaq of the Common Shares for the
20 trading days immediately preceding the date of which Fair Market Value is to
be calculated, and (ii) the number of Common Shares into which such security is
then convertible or exchangeable.

                  "FARALLON" shall mean Farallon Capital Partners, L.P.,
Farallon Capital Institutional Partners II, L.P., Farallon Capital Institutional
Partners III, L.P., and RR Capital Partners, L.P. collectively, with each
individually being a "FARALLON PURCHASER."

----------
Footnote continued from previous page.

         the Estimated Per Share Price, the Mark to Market Procedures were
         performed using closing sales prices instead of closing bid prices and
         that to adjust for such variance a "Bid/Ask Spread Adjustment" was
         included in the Mark to Market Procedures as set forth in Schedule 4(A)
         to Amendment No. 1. Such adjustment is hereby deemed to modify the Mark
         to Market Procedures set forth in Schedule A. For purposes of the Audit
         Adjustment, and subject to the footnote to clause (e) of Section D.4,
         the Mark to Market Procedures shall also use closing sales prices
         (instead of closing bid prices) and such "Bid/Ask Spread Adjustment"
         shall be applied, on the same percentage basis, by the Pricing Service
         in performing the Audit Adjustment under Section B.1(a), it being
         understood that the Purchasers have not accepted the closing sales
         prices underlying in Schedule 4(A) as binding, and the Pricing Service
         shall, among other things, verify such prices in the Audit Adjustment.

         The parties acknowledge that Schedule 4(B) to Amendment No.1 sets forth
         the number of Preference Shares and Class A Warrants to be issued to
         each Purchaser at Closing based on the Estimated Per Share Purchase
         Price."

                                      A-2
<Page>

                  "FOURTH ANNIVERSARY ADJUSTMENT DATE" means (i) the last date
on which an adjustment could be required to be determined under Section B.3.g.
hereof or (ii) if such an adjustment is required to be determined, the date of
completion of such adjustment.

                  "GAAP" means accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States applied on a basis consistent with those used in preparation of
the Audited Balance Sheet.

                  "GE" shall mean Orbital Holdings, Ltd. and Insurance Private
Equity Investors, L.L.C., collectively, with each individually being a "GE
PURCHASER."

                  "KNOWLEDGE" refers to the actual knowledge of an officer or
the Chairman of the Company.

                  "MARK TO MARKET PROCEDURES"(9) means that the Company will
liquidate all non treasury securities prior to the Closing Date and reinvest the
proceeds in short term U.S. Treasury Securities. All remaining securities held
at the Closing Date will be marked to market based on the closing bid price on
the Closing Date. A purchase price adjustment computed will be made as follows:

<Table>
<S>                                                 <C>    <C>
Realized gains (losses) in the period from          XXX
    July 1, 2001 to day before the closing
Plus(minus) the change in unrealized gains in
    the period July 1, 2001 to the Closing Date
    As follows

    Unrealized gain (loss) at June 30               XXX
    net of Unrealized gain (loss) at closing        XXX    +XXX (net unrealized)

Market value change                                        XXX

Less Tax effect at 18.5%

Purchase price adjustment                                  XXX
</Table>

----------
(9)      It is understood that for purposes of the Mark to Market Procedures,
         and any adjustments based on those procedures, the close of business on
         the third business day preceding the Closing Date should be used
         (including, without limitation, for purposes of Section B.1(a) and
         B.1(c)(iii) of this Agreement) rather than the day prior to the Closing
         Date, or the Closing Date.

                                      A-3
<Page>

                  "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" on the Company means a material
adverse effect on the properties, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or
otherwise), business, operations or operating earnings of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or an effect which is reasonably likely to
prevent or materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, excluding any such
effect resulting from changes in general economic or industry conditions,
announcement of the transaction contemplated hereby or the performance by the
Company of its obligations hereunder.

                  "NON-CORE ASSETS" shall mean the following:

                  (a) American Independent Insurance Holding Company, a
         Pennsylvania corporation,

                  (b) Hales & Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation,

                  (c) escrow assets under the Folksamerica disposition
         agreement, net of the contingent reserve recorded as of June 30, 2001,
         as adjusted for 18.5% tax benefits and minus all liabilities,
         contingent or otherwise, not transferred to the purchaser under such
         disposition agreement, including "Excluded Liabilities" under such
         disposition agreement,

                  (d) all non-public securities held by the Company, ACG (US),
         and ARC,

                  (e) all commitments to The Trident Partnership, II and
         Distribution Partners, as and when funded and

                  (f) all commitments to Innovative Coverage Concepts LLC.

                  "PER SHARE PRICE" means (a) the Company's total shareholders'
equity as of June 30, 2001 as set forth on the Audited Balance Sheet, adjusted
(ii) so that marketable securities in the Company's investment portfolio are
valued at their estimated fair value as of the close of business on the third
business day preceding the Closing Date, using the Mark to Market Procedures, as
set forth in the Portfolio Review and (ii) to give effect to those expenses that
are described in "C" on Schedule B that are ascertainable prior to the
calculation of the Per Share Price (whether or not paid prior to Closing) and
that would otherwise result in a decrease of total shareholders' equity of the
Company, divided by (b) the total number of Common Shares outstanding as of June
30, 2001 (which is 12,863,079).

                  "PERSON" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
trust, limited liability company, association or other entity or organization,
including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality
thereof.

                                      A-4
<Page>

                  "REQUISITE NASDAQ APPROVAL" has the meaning given to such term
in the Certificate.

                  "REQUISITE REGULATORY APPROVAL" has the meaning given to such
term in the Certificate.

                  "REQUISITE SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL" has the meaning given to such
term in the Certificate.

                  "TRANSACTION COMMITTEE" means a committee of the Board of
Directors consisting of persons who either (a) were members of the Board of
Directors on the date prior to the date of this Agreement and/or (b) were
designated as members of the Transaction Committee by a person who was a member
of the Board of Directors on the date prior to the date of this Agreement.

                  "TRIDENT" shall mean Trident II, L.P., Marsh & McLennan
Capital Professionals Fund, L.P., and Marsh & McLennan Employee's Securities
Company, L.P., collectively, with each individually a "TRIDENT PURCHASER."

                  "TRIGGERING EVENT" means, at any time on or prior to September
19, 2005, either:

                  (i)      the closing price of the Common Shares being at or
                           above $30 per share (as adjusted, for any event which
                           would subject the exercise price of the Warrants to
                           an adjustment, by the same percentage as the
                           percentage adjustment of such exercise price) for 20
                           out of 30 consecutive trading days at any time
                           following the Closing Date; or

                  (ii)     the acquisition by any person, entity or "group"
                           (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2)
                           of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership (within
                           the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
                           Exchange Act) of 40% or more, in the aggregate, of
                           either the voting power of the then outstanding
                           Common Shares or the combined voting power of the
                           Company's then outstanding voting securities entitled
                           to vote generally in election of directors; provided,
                           HOWEVER, that if such acquisition results in whole or
                           in part from a transfer of any Common Shares
                           or other voting securities by Marsh & McLennan
                           Companies, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries (or by any
                           parent of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. or any of
                           its subsidiaries), such acquisition shall not
                           constitute a Triggering Event unless such transfer is
                           effected pursuant to an offer by such acquiror to
                           purchase all of the Company's outstanding Common
                           Shares.

                                      A-5
<Page>

                                                                      SCHEDULE B

                                ADJUSTMENT BASKET

The Adjustment Basket shall be equal to A + B - C, where:

A = sum of (Realized Value - Adjusted Closing Book Value) of each Non-Core
Asset.

         "REALIZED VALUE" means (a) with respect to any Non-Core Asset that is
                  disposed of on or prior to the Test Date: (i) all cash
                  proceeds realized from the disposition of such asset from July
                  1, 2001 through the Test Date (the "Realization Period") to
                  the extent such proceeds are received by the Company, Newco or
                  a subsidiary of Newco and would be distributable to the
                  Company, net of all taxes or withholding that would be payable
                  if such proceeds were so distributed, plus (ii) the after-tax
                  amount of any dividends or distributions made from such asset
                  during the Realization Period (to the extent received by the
                  Company or Newco), minus (iii) taxes payable (plus actual tax
                  benefits) resulting from such disposition, minus (iv)
                  earn-outs and other incentive payments actually made, or
                  committed to, in connection with such disposition (with
                  reasonable estimates with respect to commitments which are
                  outstanding as of the Test Date), minus (v) investment
                  banking, brokerage, legal and consulting fees and other costs
                  actually incurred in connection with such disposition, minus
                  all contingent liabilities, guarantee and escrows associated
                  with such disposition; and (b) with respect to any Non-Core
                  Asset that is not disposed of on or prior to the Test Date:
                  the appraised value, as determined by a reputable appraisal
                  firm selected by the Purchasers and the Transaction Committee.
                  Such appraisal shall take into account, among other things,
                  without duplication, the illiquid nature of such assets, the
                  size of the business, the minority nature of the interest and
                  an expected future 20% cost of capital for such business.

         "ADJUSTED CLOSING BOOK VALUE" means, with respect to any Non-Core Asset
                  that is or is not disposed of on or prior to the Test Date,
                  its book value, determined in accordance with GAAP, as of June
                  30, 2001 as set forth in the Audited Balance Sheet, plus, in
                  the case of Non-Core Assets, a capital charge equal to 15% per
                  annum, compounded annually, computed from the Closing Date to
                  the Test Date (or in the case of Non-Core Assets disposed of,
                  the disposition date).

B     =    Test Date Balances - Closing Date Balances

         "TEST DATE BALANCES" means the sum of (a) the Insurance Balances at
                  the Test Date, calculated on the same basis as the Audited
                  Balance Sheet, and (b) all related cash collections
                  (including, without limitation, premiums and reinsurance
                  re-

                                      B-1
<Page>

                  coveries) and cash payments from June 30, 2001 to the Test
                  Date. It is anticipated that cash flows subject to these
                  provisions will be maintained under separate general ledger
                  control.

         "CLOSING DATE BALANCES" means the Insurance Balances at June 30, 2001
                  as set forth on the Audited Balance Sheet, including, without
                  limitation, the amount set forth in clause (i)(x) of the
                  definition of Per Share Price.

         For the avoidance of doubt, A or B can be either a positive or negative
balance.

         "INSURANCE BALANCES" means premiums receivable, unpaid claims and
                  claims expenses recoverable, prepaid reinsurance premiums,
                  reinsurance balances receivable, deferred policy acquisition
                  costs, claims and claims expenses, unearned premiums,
                  reinsurance balances payable, and any other insurance balance
                  (E.G., assets held in separate accounts, claims payable,
                  aggregate deductible fund, payables to Bermuda cell and
                  commissions payable) of the Core Insurance Operations with
                  respect to any policy or contract written or having an
                  effective date prior to the Closing Date. The Insurance
                  Balances as contemplated herein are intended to incorporate,
                  among other things, return and additional premiums,
                  retrospectively rated contract features, extra-contractual
                  obligations, commissions, fees and guarantee funds and
                  residual market assessments and other cash flows associated
                  with in force business as of the Closing Date and all
                  obligations arising from business that expired prior to
                  Closing.

  C    =     Reductions in Book Value arising from the following (and without
                  duplication of any expenses included in the calculation of
                  Realized Value and without duplication of any expenses
                  otherwise reflected in the determination of the Per Share
                  Price), all costs and expenses relating to the purchase and
                  sale of Securities and the transactions provided for hereunder
                  (including, without limitation, all costs and expenses arising
                  from performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder,
                  all costs associated with the purchase price adjustments, all
                  costs of any payments that become due to any third party as a
                  result of the transactions hereunder, and all costs relating
                  to litigation concerning this Agreement), actual losses
                  arising out of breach of representations of the Company
                  hereunder, the rationalization of the Company's operations and
                  elimination of overhead undertaken in connection with this
                  transaction with the approval of the Transaction Committee,
                  the reduction in book value resulting from any other expenses
                  (including internal incentive arrangements), employee
                  separation agreements, fee payable by the Company to Credit
                  Suisse First Boston Corporation or any other investment
                  banking firm or broker, legal fees payable to counsel engaged
                  by or on behalf of the Company, and other related breakage
                  costs, in each case in connection with the transactions
                  hereby. For

                                      B-2
<Page>

                  the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not include, and
                  in no event shall the Per Share Price be reduced by, any
                  payments made in exchange for cancellation of the Company's
                  class B warrants outstanding on the date of this Agreement.

                                      B-3<Page>

                                                                  Exhibit 10.8.6

                             ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.

                           RESTRICTED SHARE AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of January 18, 2002, between Arch Capital
Group Ltd. (the "Company"), a Bermuda company, and John D. Vollaro (the
"Employee").

         WHEREAS, the Employee has been granted the following award in
connection with his or her retention as an employee and as compensation for
services to be rendered; and the following terms reflect the Company's Long Term
Incentive Plan For New Employees (as amended, the "Plan");

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows.

         1. AWARD OF SHARES. Pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, the terms
of which are incorporated herein by reference, the Employee is hereby awarded
50,000 Restricted Shares (the "Award"), subject to the terms and conditions
herein set forth. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the
meanings set forth in the Plan. In the event of any conflict between this
Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control.

         2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS. It is understood and agreed that the Award of
Restricted Shares evidenced hereby is subject to the following terms and
conditions:

         (a) VESTING OF AWARD. Subject to Section 2(b) below and the other terms
and conditions of this Agreement, this Award shall become vested on the fifth
anniversary of the date hereof. Unless otherwise provided by the Company, all
dividends and other amounts receivable in connection with any adjustments to the
Shares under Section 4(c) of the Plan shall be subject to the vesting schedule
in this Section 2(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a Change in Control
occurs and (ii) within two years following such Change in Control, the
employment of the Employee is terminated (w) by the Company not for Cause, (x)
for Permanent Disability (as defined in the Employment Agreement between the
Employee and the Company, dated as of January 18, 2002 (the "Employment
Agreement")), (y) by reason of the Employee's death, or (z) the Employee
terminates his or her employment with the Company for Good Reason (as defined in
the Employment Agreement), then the Restricted Shares shall become immediately
vested in full upon such termination of employment.

         For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall be deemed
to occur if any "person" (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), other than a Permitted Person, is or
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of Voting Securities representing more than 50% of
the total voting power of all then outstanding Voting Securities.

         "Permitted Persons" means (A) the Company; (B) any Related Party; (C)
Hellman & Friedman or any of its subsidiaries or investment funds managed or
controlled by

<Page>
                                      -2-

Hellman & Friedman; (D) Warburg Pincus or any of its subsidiaries
or any investment funds managed or controlled by Warburg Pincus or any of its
subsidiaries; or (E) any group (as defined in Rule 13b-3 under the Exchange Act)
comprised of any or all of the foregoing.

         "Related Party" means (A) a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company;
(B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit
plan of the Company or any majority-owned subsidiary of the Company; or (C) any
entity, 50% or more of the voting power of which is owned directly or indirectly
by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their
ownership of Voting Securities immediately prior to the transaction.

         "Voting Security" means any security of the Company which carries the
right to vote generally in the election of directors.

         (b) TERMINATION OF SERVICE; FORFEITURE OF UNVESTED SHARES. Except as
otherwise set forth in Section 2(a) above, in the event the Employee ceases to
be an employee of the Company prior to the date the Restricted Shares otherwise
become vested (i) due to his or her death or Permanent Disability (as defined in
the Employment Agreement), or (ii) due to termination (A) by the Company not for
Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement), (B) by the Employee for Good
Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement), or (C) by reason of the
Company's provision of written notice not to extend the Employment Period under
Section 5.01 of the Employment Agreement, a pro rata number of Restricted Shares
subject to the Award shall become vested in full at the time of such termination
of service determined by multiplying the total number of Restricted Shares
subject to the Award by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
months or part of a month elapsed since the date hereof and the denominator of
which is 60; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the case of a termination by the Company
not for Cause or by the Employee for Good Reason, the Restricted Shares subject
to the Award shall not be transferable prior to the fifth anniversary of the
date hereof, except that a number of Shares having a fair market value equal to
the amount of any income and employment taxes imposed upon vesting of the
Restricted Shares shall be transferable upon such termination solely for the
purpose of funding any such income and employment taxes. If the Employee ceases
to be an Employee of the Company for any other reason prior to the date the
Restricted Shares become vested, the Award shall be forfeited by the Employee
and become the property of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, service
with any of the Company's Subsidiaries (as defined in the Plan) shall be
considered to be service with the Company.

         (c) CERTIFICATES. Each certificate issued in respect of Restricted
Shares awarded hereunder shall be deposited with the Company, or its designee,
together with, if requested by the Company, a stock power executed in blank by
the Employee, and shall bear a legend disclosing the restrictions on
transferability imposed on such Restricted Shares by this Agreement (the
"Restrictive Legend"). Upon the vesting of Restricted Shares pursuant to Section
2(a) hereof and the satisfaction of any withholding tax liability

<Page>
                                      -3-

pursuant to Section 5 hereof, the certificates evidencing such vested Shares,
not bearing the Restrictive Legend, shall be delivered to the Employee.

         (d) RIGHTS OF A STOCKHOLDER. Prior to the time a Restricted Share is
fully vested hereunder and otherwise as provided in Section 2(b) above, the
Employee shall have no right to transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise
encumber such Restricted Share. During such period, the Employee shall have all
other rights of a stockholder, including, but not limited to, the right to vote
and to receive dividends (subject to Section 2(a) hereof) at the time paid on
such Restricted Shares.

         (e) NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT. This Award shall not confer upon
the Employee any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company
nor shall this Award interfere with the right of the Company to terminate the
Employee's employment at any time.

         3. TRANSFER OF SHARES. The Shares delivered hereunder, or any interest
therein, may be sold, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered, or
transferred or disposed of in any other manner, in whole or in part, only in
compliance with the terms, conditions and restrictions as set forth in the
governing instruments of the Company, applicable United States federal and state
securities laws or any other applicable laws or regulations and the terms and
conditions hereof.

         4. EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE OF SHARES. The issuance of stock certificates
hereunder shall be without charge to the Employee. The Company shall pay, and
indemnify the Employee from and against any issuance, stamp or documentary taxes
(other than transfer taxes) or charges imposed by any governmental body, agency
or official (other than income taxes) or by reason of the issuance of Shares.

         5. WITHHOLDING. No later than the date of vesting of (or the date of an
election by the Employee under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to) the
Award granted hereunder, the Employee shall pay to the Company or make
arrangements satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of any federal,
state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld at such time
with respect to such Award and the Company shall, to the extent permitted or
required by law, have the right to deduct from any payment of any kind otherwise
due to the Employee, federal, state and local taxes of any kind required by law
to be withheld at such time.

         6. REFERENCES. References herein to rights and obligations of the
Employee shall apply, where appropriate, to the Employee's legal representative
or estate without regard to whether specific reference to such legal
representative or estate is contained in a particular provision of this
Agreement.

         7. NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when
delivered personally or by courier, or sent by certified or registered mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt

<Page>
                                      -4-

requested, duly addressed to the party concerned at the address indicated below
or to such changed address as such party may subsequently by similar process
give notice of:

         If to the Company:

         Arch Capital Group Ltd.
         EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
         20 Horseneck Lane
         Greenwich, CT  06830
         Attn.: Secretary

         If to the Employee:

         To the last address delivered to the Company by the Executive in the
         manner set forth herein.

         8. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of Bermuda, without giving effect to principles of
conflict of laws.

         9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire
agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and any
previous agreement or understanding among the parties with respect thereto is
superseded by this Agreement and the Plan.

         10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts,
each of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

<Page>
                                      -5-

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.

                                            ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD.

                                            By: /s/ Louis Petrillo
                                               ------------------------

                                             /s/ John D. Vollaro
                                            ---------------------------
                                            John D. Vollaro

                                            Name:  Louis T. Petrillo
                                            Title: Senior Vice President,
                                                   General Counsel & Secretary

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