Exhibit 24.4

POWER OF ATTORNEY

     WHEREAS, Selective Insurance Group, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”), proposes to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the Selective Insurance Company of America Deferred Compensation Plan (2005); and

     WHEREAS, the undersigned is a Director of the Company, as indicated below his or her signature:

     NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, hereby constitutes and appoints Michael H. Lanza, as attorney for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, and in the capacity of the undersigned as a Director of the Company, as indicated, to execute and file such Form S-8 for the Selective Insurance Company of America Deferred Compensation Plan (2005) and supplements thereto, hereby giving and granting to said attorney, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully, to all intents and purposes, as the undersigned might or could do if personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney may or shall lawfully do, or cause to be done, by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 22nd day of October, 2007.

/s/ John C. Burville
Name:	John C. Burville
Title:	Director