EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN, LLP. EXHIBIT 23.1 [ARTHUR ANDERSEN LOGO] CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS United Fire & Casualty Company: As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Form S-8 Registration Statement dated December 19, 1997, of our report dated February 20, 1997 included in United Fire & Casualty Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration Statement. /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP Chicago, Illinois December 19, 1997