EXHIBIT 32.2

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

         In connection with the Quarterly Report of State Auto Financial
Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30,
2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof
(the "Report"), I, Steven J. Johnston, Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

                                        /s/ Steven J. Johnston
                                            ----------------------------
                                            Steven J. Johnston
                                            Chief Financial Officer
                                            October 29, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to State Auto Financial Corporation and will be retained by State Auto
Financial Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or
its staff upon request.