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Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (No. 333-33444) on Form S-3, as amended by Amendment
No. 1, and related Prospectus of SAFECO Corporation for the registration of
1,000,000 shares of its common stock pertaining to the SAFECO Agency Stock
Purchase Plan and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report
dated February 11, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements, as amended, of SAFECO Corporation and its subsidiaries
incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year
ended December 31, 1999 and the related financial statement schedules included
therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Seattle, Washington
August 28, 2000
