<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>y61819exv23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF KPMG LLP
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT 23

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS CONSENT

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement (No.
333-10477) on Form S-8 of Selective Insurance Group, Inc. of our report dated
June 25, 2002, relating to the statements of net assets available for plan
participants of Selective Insurance Retirement Savings Plan as of December 31,
2001 and 2000, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for
plan participants for the years then ended, and related schedule, which report
appears in the December 31, 2001 annual report on Form 11-K of Selective
Insurance Group, Inc.

/s/ KPMG LLP
New York, New York
June 26, 2002

                                      -11-

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
