EXHIBIT 99.1

     CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
                            (18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350)

I, John R. Hart, Chief Executive Officer of PICO Holdings, Inc., do hereby
certify in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, based on my knowledge:

         (1) the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A of the Registrant, to which this
         certification is attached as an exhibit , fully complies with
         requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
         (15 U.S.C. 78m); and

         (2) the information contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A of
         PICO Holdings, Inc., to which this certification is attached as an
         exhibit, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
         condition and results of operation of PICO Holdings, Inc.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided by PICO Holdings, Inc. and will be retained by PICO Holdings, Inc. and
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Date:    March 31, 2003                            /s/  John R. Hart
                                                   --------------------------
                                                   John R. Hart
                                                   Chief Executive Officer