Exhibit 5.1

                                November 14, 2002


SAFECO Corporation
SAFECO Plaza
4333 Brooklyn Avenue N.E.
Seattle, WA 98185

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        This opinion is being rendered in connection with (i) the registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "ACT"), and pursuant to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-87686 (the "REGISTRATION
STATEMENT"), originally filed by SAFECO Corporation (the "COMPANY") with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION") on May 7, 2002 and as
declared effective by the Commission on May 17, 2002, of up to $900 million in
aggregate principal amount of the Company's securities, (ii) the authorization
and issuance by the Company of up to 9,100,000 shares (the "FIRM SHARES") of the
Company's common stock, no par value per share (the "COMMON STOCK"), together
with up to an additional 1,365,000 shares of Common Stock if and to the extent
the underwriters exercise an over-allotment option granted to them by the
Company (the "OVER-ALLOTMENT SHARES", and together with the Firm Shares, the
"SHARES"), and (iii) the preparation and filing of a prospectus supplement, as
amended, to the Registration Statement, as filed with the Commission with
respect to the Shares (the "PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT").

        We have examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus Supplement
and such documents and records of the Company and other documents as we have
deemed necessary for the purpose of this opinion. In making our examination, we
have assumed (i) all signatures on documents examined by us are genuine, (ii)
all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, (iii) all documents
submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform with the original
copies of such documents, and (iv) the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the
information, representations, and warranties contained in the documents and
records we have examined.

        On the basis of the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions,
limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that,
when the following events have occurred:

        (a)     the filing and continued effectiveness of the Registration
                Statement and any amendments and/or prospectus supplements
                thereto,



        (b)     due execution by the Company and registration by its registrar
                of the Firm Shares and, to the extent the underwriters exercise
                their over-allotment option, the Over-Allotment Shares,

        (c)     the offering and sale of the Firm Shares and, to the extent the
                underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, the
                Over-Allotment Shares, as contemplated by the Registration
                Statement and any amendments and/or prospectus supplements
                thereto, and

        (d)     receipt by the Company of the consideration required for the
                Firm Shares and, to the extent the underwriters exercise their
                over-allotment option, the Over-Allotment Shares, to be sold by
                the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement and
                any amendments and/or prospectus supplements thereto,

the Firm Shares and, to the extent the underwriters exercise their
over-allotment option, the Over-Allotment Shares, will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

        This opinion is being furnished for filing as an exhibit to the
Company's current report on Form 8-K to be filed on November 15, 2002.
Additionally, we hereby consent to the reference to Perkins Coie LLP under the
caption "Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus
Supplement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby concede that we are within
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or
the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

                                Very truly yours,

                                /s/ PERKINS COIE LLP