EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
The Board of Directors
GE Financial Assurance Holdings, Inc.
 
The Board of Directors
The Life Insurance Company of Virginia
 
   
We consent to the use of our reports incorporated herein by reference and to the
references to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.
    
 
   
                                        /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
    
 
   
Richmond, Virginia
March 17, 1998