EXHIBIT 23.1



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
the Registration Statement and related Prospectus of SAFECO Corporation for the
registration of $775,000,000 aggregate 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
December 27, 2002