Exhibit 99.2


                    CFO certification required by Section 906

                                       Of

                           Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2

                            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 Annual Report of State Auto Financial Corporation
(the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2002 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. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 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.

     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.

                                       /s/  Steven J. Johnston
                                            --------------------------------
                                            Steven J. Johnston
                                            Chief Financial Officer
                                            March 28, 2003