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 Quarterly Report of State Auto Financial Corporation (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 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. 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.

                                                /s/ Steven J. Johnston
                                                    ------------------
                                                    Steven J. Johnston
                                                    Chief Financial Officer
                                                    May 12, 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.