Exhibit 32.1

                            Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
                       As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
                        of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


         In connection with the Quarterly Report of Safeco Corporation (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Form 10-Q"), I,
Michael S. McGavick, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     (1)  The Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
          15(d)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934  (15  U.S.C.  78m or
          78o(d)); and

     (2)  The  information  contained in the Form 10-Q fairly  presents,  in all
          material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
          of the Company.

Dated: August 13, 2003

                                                /s/ MICHAEL S. MCGAVICK
                                                ------------------------------
                                                Michael S. McGavick
                                                Chairman, President and Chief
                                                        Executive Officer




A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement
required by Section 906, has been provided to Safeco Corporation and will be
retained by Safeco Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission or its staff upon request.