EXHIBIT 23.1


Consent of Independent Auditors

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following registration
statements of our report dated March 3, 2003, with respect to the consolidated
balance sheet of UICI and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002, and the related
consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for
the year ended December 31, 2002, and all related financial statement schedules,
which report appears in the December 31, 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K of
UICI:

     Registration Statement on Form S-8, No. 33-11323, pertaining to the United
     Insurance Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan of UICI

     Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-02043, of United Insurance
     Companies, Inc. and related Prospectus

     Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-23899, pertaining to the UICI
     and Amli Realty Company stock exchange agreement and related Prospectus

     Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-42937, pertaining to the UICI
     and ELA Corp. agreement and related Prospectus

     Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-85113, pertaining to the UICI
     1998 Employee and Agents Stock Option Plan and related Prospectus

     Registration Statement on Form S-8, No. 333-43736, pertaining to the UICI
     Employee Stock Ownership and Savings Plan and related Prospectus

     Registration Statement on Form S-8, No. 333-44632, pertaining to the UICI
     Agents' Total Ownership Plan II and UICI Agency Matching Total Ownership
     Plan II, UICI Agents' Contribution to Equity Plan and Matching Agency
     Contribution Plan, and UICI Agents' Contribution to Account Plan II and
     UICI Matching Company Contribution Plan II and related Prospectus, of UICI
     and subsidiaries

Our report refers to a change in accounting for goodwill and other intangible
assets in 2002 as a result of the adoption of FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets.


                                                                KPMG LLP

Dallas, Texas
March 27, 2003