SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 13, 2003


                        State Auto Financial Corporation
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                      Ohio
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                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


            0-19289                                      31-1324304
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    (Commission File Number)                  (IRS Employer Identification No.)


                518 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3976
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               (Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (614) 464-5000
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                                       N/A
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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)




ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

        Attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and
        incorporated herein by reference is a letter dated June 13, 2003, from
        Robert H. Moone, President and Chief Executive Officer of State
        Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, which is the holder of
        approximately 67% of the outstanding common shares of State Auto
        Financial Corporation ("STFC"), to Gregory M. Shepard, a minority
        shareholder in STFC.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

        (c) Exhibits.

        Exhibit No.     Description

        99.1            Letter dated June 13, 2003, from Robert H. Moone,
                        President and Chief Executive Officer of State
                        Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, to Gregory M.
                        Shepard.


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                        State Auto Financial Corporation

Date: June 13, 2003                     By: /s/ Robert H. Moone
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Robert H. Moone, President and
                                            Chief Executive Officer




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.     Description of Exhibit

99.1            Letter dated June 13, 2003, from Robert H. Moone, President and
                Chief Executive Officer of State Automobile Mutual Insurance
                Company, to Gregory M. Shepard.