Item 8.01 Other Events.

Reference is made to the press release of W. R. Berkley Corporation (the "Company") relating to the announcement of the Company's declaration of a special cash dividend on its common stock of $1.00 per share. The special dividend will be paid on December 31, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 24, 2012. A copy of the press release is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information contained herein shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of
Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release dated December 14, 2012

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