INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the  incorporation  by reference in  Registration  Statements Nos.
333-69741 and 333-84447 of CNA Financial  Corporation  and  subsidiaries on Form
S-3 and S-8,  respectively,  of our report dated February 23, 2000, appearing in
the Current  Report on Form 8-K of CNA Financial  Corporation  and  subsidiaries
dated March 17, 2000.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 17, 2000