EXHIBIT 5 DRINKER BIDDLE & SHANLEY LLP 500 Campus Drive Florham Park, New Jersey 07932 May 21, 2002 Selective Insurance Group, Inc. 40 Wantage Avenue Branchville, New Jersey 07890 RE: SELECTIVE INSURANCE GROUP, INC. Gentlemen: We have acted as special counsel to Selective Insurance Group, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") relating to the issuance of up to 1,448,128 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's common stock, par value $2.00 per share, issuable pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan III (the "Plan"). This opinion is delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act. For purposes of this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise, identified to our satisfaction, of the Registration Statement, together with exhibits filed as a part thereof, and all such other documents, records, certificates, including certificates of public officials, and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: 1. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey. 2. The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued in the manner and for the consideration contemplated by the Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Selective Insurance Group, Inc. May 21,2002 Page 2 We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name therein. By giving the foregoing consent, we do not admit that we are persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act. Very truly yours, DRINKER BIDDLE & SHANLEY LLP