Exhibit 5.1

                                 August 20, 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") pursuant to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-87686 (the "REGISTRATION
STATEMENT"), 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 $375 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior
notes due 2012 (the "NOTES"), 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 Notes (the "PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT").

         The Notes are to be issued under an Indenture (the "INDENTURE"),
between the Company and J. P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, as
trustee under the Indenture (the "TRUSTEE").

         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 that all signatures on documents examined by us are genuine, that
all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and that all documents
submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform with the original
copies of such documents.

         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:

         (i) the Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company
and the Trustee;

         (ii) the terms of the Notes and their issue and sale have been duly
established in conformity with the Indenture; and

         (iii) the Notes have been duly executed by the Company and
authenticatied and delivered by the Trustee, and the Notes have been issued and
sold by the Company as contemplated by the Registration Statement and Prospectus
Supplement;

the Notes will constitute in the hands of the respective holders thereof valid
and binding obligations of the Company, except as such enforceability is subject
to the effect of (x) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent conveyance or other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally and (y) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).


         This opinion is being furnished for filing as an exhibit to the
Company's current report on Form 8-K to be filed on August 21, 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