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):
                      November 5, 2003 (October 30, 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

         1.       Attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K
                  and incorporated herein by reference is a press release issued
                  by State Auto Financial Corporation on October 30, 2003.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

         (c)      Exhibits.



         Exhibit No.       Description
         -----------       -----------

                        
            99.1           Press release issued by State Auto Financial Corporation on
                           October 30, 2003.



                                   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:   November 5, 2003                By: /s/ Robert H. Moone
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Robert H. Moone, President and
                                            Chief Executive Officer





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



         Exhibit No.       Description of Exhibit
         -----------       ----------------------

                        
            99.1           Press release issued by State Auto Financial Corporation on
                           October 30, 2003.