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                                                                    Exhibit 23.2


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of State Auto Financial
Corporation for the registration of 400,000 shares of its common stock and to
the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 12, 1999,
with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of State
Auto Financial Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 1998, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                       /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Columbus, Ohio
January 5, 2000