EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Foremost Corporation of America Grand Rapids, Michigan We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Foremost Corporation of America for its Stock Option Plan of 1998 on Form S-8 of our reports dated February 17, 1998, relating to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of Foremost Corporation of America appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. /s/ BDO Seidman, LLP Grand Rapids, Michigan September 22, 1998