EXHIBIT 99.1

DONEGAL GROUP INC. ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL IMPACT FROM ISABEL

Ralph G. Spontak
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Phone (717) 426-1931
Fax   (717) 426-7009

                                                 For Immediate Release


         MARIETTA, Pennsylvania, September 26, 2003 - Donegal Group Inc.
(Nasdaq: DGICA and DGICB) today reported that the financial impact of property
claims from hurricane Isabel, net of reinsurance, will total approximately $1
million which will reduce net income by $650,000, or $.07 per share on a diluted
basis, for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

         "The Company's underwriting efforts to limit catastrophe exposures and
our reinsurance programs are responding as designed and will limit the net
financial impact to the Company to $650,000", stated Donald H. Nikolaus,
President and CEO of the Donegal Companies.

         The Company will release its third quarter earnings on Wednesday
October 15, 2003 and will hold an earnings release conference call on that date
at 11:00 A. M. eastern time.

         All statements contained in this release that are not historic facts
are based on current expectations. Such statements are forward looking (as
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) in nature and
involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially.
The factors that could cause actual results to vary materially include: The
ability of the company to maintain profitable operations, the adequacy of the
company's reserve for losses and loss adjusting expenses, business and economic
conditions in the company's primary operating areas, competition from various
insurance and non-insurance businesses, changes in regulatory requirements, and
other risks that may be described from time to time in the reports Donegal is
required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Undue reliance
should not be placed on any such forward looking statements.

         Donegal Group Inc. is a regional property-casualty insurance
holding company doing business in 14 Mid-Atlantic and Southern states through
its insurance subsidiaries Atlantic States Insurance Company and Southern
Insurance Company of Virginia.