Exhibit 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ---------------------------------- We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-52069 and 333-40536) of Old Republic International Corporation of our report dated March 31, 2003 relating to the financial statements of the Great West Casualty Company Profit Sharing Plan, which appears in this Form 11-K (as filed on Form 10-K/A). /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP April 30, 2003 Chicago, Illinois