8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

5/12/2005

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

SAFECO CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in Charter)

WASHINGTON	1-6563	91-0742146
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

Safeco Plaza, Seattle, Washington	98185
(Address of principal executive officers)	(Zip Code)

(206) 545-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation to the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

Charles Horne, 45, has been appointed as Senior Vice President and Controller of Safeco Corporation effective May 12, 2005. Mr. Horne, previously Vice President, Audit Services, has led Safeco’s internal audit department since July 2002. Before joining Safeco, he served as Finance Director for the Worldwide Procurement and Supply Chain organization at Dell Computer Corporation (now Dell, Inc.) as well as other key financial roles at that company from March 1998 through July 2002. Before joining Dell, Mr. Horne was Director of Audit Services at Silicon Graphics Computer Systems (now Silicon Graphics, Inc.) from 1994 to 1998, and he previously held a variety of finance, controller and audit positions at Raychem Corporation and Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Horne and any other persons pursuant to which Mr. Horne was appointed to his new position and there are no related party transactions between Mr. Horne and Safeco.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1    Press release “Charles Horne Named Senior Vice President and Controller at Safeco” dated May 12, 2005.

Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	SAFECO CORPORATION
	Registrant
Dated: May 12, 2005	/s/ Christine B. Mead
	Christine B. Mead Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FINAL

FOR RELEASE AT 1 p.m., EASTERN TIME
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:	Neal Fuller, 206-545-5537
MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACT:	Paul Hollie, 206-545-3048

Charles Horne Named Senior Vice President and Controller at Safeco

SEATTLE—(May 12, 2005)—Safeco (NASD: SAFC) today named Charles Horne senior vice president and controller, effective immediately.

Since July 2002, Horne has served as Safeco’s vice president-Audit Services, with responsibility for managing Safeco’s internal audit department. In addition, he led the companywide effort to ensure compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

“Chuck brings to the Controllers organization proven leadership capability, strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of Safeco’s financial controls and processes,” said Christine Mead, Safeco CFO and president-Service, Technology and Finance. “He will be a terrific addition to Safeco’s senior leadership team.”

Prior to joining Safeco, Horne worked at Dell Inc., serving as finance director for Dell’s Worldwide Procurement and Supply Chain organization as well as other key financial roles. Horne also has held a variety of finance, controller and audit positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Raychem Corporation and Silicon Graphics Computer Systems. He graduated from the University of California at Davis and earned an MBA at New York University.

Safeco, in business since 1923, is a Fortune 500 property and casualty insurance company based in Seattle. The company sells insurance to drivers, home owners and owners of small- and medium-sized businesses through a national network of independent agents and brokers.

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