Exhibit 23


                          Independent Auditors' Consent


To the Administrative Committee of the
Highlands Insurance Group
Employees' Retirement and Savings Plan:


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 of Highlands Insurance Group (filed under Securities and Exchange
Commission File No. 333-55699) of our report dated June 21, 2002, relating to
the statements of net assets available for plan benefits of Highlands Insurance
Group Employees' Retirement and Savings Plan at December 31, 2001 and 2000, the
related statement of changes in net assets available for plan benefits for the
year ended December 31, 2001, which report appears in the December 31, 2001
annual report of Form 11-K of Highlands Insurance Group Employees' Retirement
and Savings Plan.


                                    KPMG LLP


Houston, Texas
June 21, 2002

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