UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 13F Form 13F COVER PAGE Report for the Calendar Year or Quarter: March 31, 2005 Check here if Amendment [ ]; Amendment Number: ----- This Amendment (Check only one.): [ ] is a restatement. [ ] adds new holdings entries. Institutional Investment Manager Filing this Report: Name: Markel Corporation Address: 4521 Highwoods Pkwy Glen Allen, VA 23060 Form 13F File Number: 28-6647 The institutional investment manager filing this report and the person by whom it is signed hereby represent that the person signing the report is authorized to submit it, that all information contained herein is true, correct and complete, and that it is understood that all required items, statements, schedules, lists, and tables, are considered integral parts of this form. Person Signing this Report on Behalf of Reporting Manager: Name: Thomas S. Gayner Title: Chief Investment Officer Phone: 804-527-3806 Signature, Place, and Date of Signing: Thomas S. Gayner Richmond, VA 5/13/05 ---------------------- ------------- ------- [Signature] [City, State] [Date] Report Type (Check only one.): [ ] 13F HOLDINGS REPORT. (Check here if all holdings of this reporting manager are reported in this report.) [X] 13F NOTICE. (Check here if no holdings reported are in this report, and all holdings are reported by other reporting manager(s).) [ ] 13F COMBINATION REPORT. (Check here if a portion of the holdings for this reporting manager are reported in this report and a portion are reported by other reporting manager(s).) List of Other Managers Reporting for this Manager: Form 13F File Number Name -------------------- ---- 28-6056 Markel Gayner Asset Management Corporation