EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

      We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related Prospectus
of SAFECO Corporation for the registration of $900,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of common stock, preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, debt
securities, convertible debt securities, stock purchase contracts and stock
purchase units of SAFECO Corporation and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our report dated February 8, 2002, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedules of SAFECO Corporation and its subsidiaries
included in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Seattle, Washington

May 17, 2002