1
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(A)
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
   
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to
this Registration Statement of CNA Financial Corporation on Form S-3 of our
reports, dated February 10, 1999, appearing in the Annual Report to Shareholders
and in Form 10-K of CNA Financial Corporation for the year ended December 31,
1998 and to the reference to Deloitte & Touche LLP under the heading "Experts"
in the Prospectus dated April 19, 1999, which is part of this Registration
Statement.
    
 
                                          /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Chicago, Illinois
   
April 19, 1999