-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DmxGF+aQcHuHGPGTfoDHsWO2ErHZxTwgCP3uL6ujBLyepm8KyVuZhASeYbfuwOHR
 adh6fCdbpW9q5bxsma585Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001247728-03-000001.txt : 20030918
<SEC-HEADER>0001247728-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030918
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030918153305
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001247728-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030917
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030918

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHELDIN ERWIN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001247728

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-03978
		FILM NUMBER:		03901222

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		23251 MULHOLLAND DR
		CITY:			WOODLAND HILLS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91364-2732
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8185919800

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			UNICO AMERICAN CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000100716
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				952583928
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		23251 MULHOLLAND DR
		CITY:			WOODLAND HILLS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91364
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8185919800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		23251 MULHOLLAND DRIVE
		CITY:			WOODLAND HILLS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			91364

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	UNIVERSAL COVERAGE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19730823
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>erwin_ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   07/25/03  TT    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-09-17</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000100716</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>UNICO AMERICAN CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>unam</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001247728</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHELDIN ERWIN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>23251 MULHOLLAND DR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WOODLAND HILLS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91364-2732</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>1</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
      </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
 <nonDerivativeTable>
   <nonDerivativeTransaction>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-09-17</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>1000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionPricePerShare>
           <value>4.32</value>
         </transactionPricePerShare>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>2334550</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </nonDerivativeTransaction>
 </nonDerivativeTable>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>/s/ Erwin Cheldin</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-09-18</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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