EXHIBIT 23.1





                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
                                                                    ------------


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
Donegal Group Inc.:


We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus contained in
the Registration Statement.




                                             /s/ KPMG LLP
                                             KPMG LLP


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 28, 2001