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                                  EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS




The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Intercargo Corporation:


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-11867) pertaining to the 1987 Non-Qualified and Incentive Stock
Option Plan of Intercargo Corporation of our report dated March 19, 1999, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of Intercargo
Corporation included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 1998.



                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Chicago, Illinois
March 26, 1999