EXHIBIT 5


Ohio Casualty Corporation letterhead

Debra K. Crane, Esq.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary



July 3, 2002


The Board of Directors
Ohio Casualty Corporation
9450 Seward Road
Fairfield, Ohio 45014


Lady and Gentlemen:


In my capacity as General Counsel of Ohio Casualty Corporation, an Ohio
corporation, (the "Company"), I am rendering this opinion in connection with
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement")
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, covering 2,000,000 common shares of the Company's Common Stock,
(the "Common Shares") par value $.125 per share, to be issued under the
Company's 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan").

In rendering this opinion, I have conducted investigations of fact and law, and
have examined such documents, certificates, instruments and other records or
copies thereof as I have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the
opinions set forth herein.

Based upon the foregoing review, it is my opinion that the Common Shares have
been duly authorized, and, when issued and sold in accordance with the terms of
this Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration
Statement.


Very truly yours,


/s/ Debra K. Crane

Debra K. Crane, Esq.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary



9450 Seward Road, Fairfield, Ohio  45014
Telephone  513.603.2213     Fax  513.603.2208    debra.crane@ocas.com