EXHIBIT 5

                                  May 8, 2002

Unitrin, Inc.
One East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601

                  Re:  Unitrin, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan
                       Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     As General Counsel for Unitrin, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), I am acting as counsel to the Company in connection with the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 with exhibits thereto (the "Registration
Statement") to be filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and the rules and regulations thereunder, relating to the
registration of 5,000,000 shares of the Common Stock of Unitrin, Inc. (the
"Shares") issuable upon exercise of options granted or to be granted pursuant to
the Unitrin, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").

     As such counsel, I have participated in the preparation of the Registration
Statement and have reviewed the corporate proceedings in connection with the
adoption of the Plan by the Company's Board of Directors and the approval of the
Plan by the Company's shareholders. I have also examined and relied upon
originals or copies, certified or otherwise authenticated to my satisfaction, of
all such public officials and of representatives of the Company, and have made
such investigations of law, and have discussed with representatives of the
Company and such other persons such questions of fact, as I have deemed proper
and necessary as a basis for rendering this opinion.

     Based upon, and subject to, the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the
Shares, when issued by the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions of the
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 and to references to my name in such Registration
Statement. In giving the foregoing consent, I do not admit that I am in the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
promulgated thereunder.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        /s/ Scott Renwick

                                        Scott Renwick
                                        General Counsel