EXHIBIT 1

            Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-56336) pertaining to the State Auto Insurance
Companies Capital Accumulation Plan of our report dated June 27, 2005, with
respect to the financial statements and schedule of the State Auto Insurance
Companies Capital Accumulation Plan included in this Annual Report (Form 11-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2004.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Columbus, Ohio
June 27, 2005



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