COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Today the board of directors of State Auto Financial Corporation (NasdaqGS:STFC - News) declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share, payable September 30, 2008, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2008. The board reiterated its previously announced decision to move the review of STFC's annual dividend policy to the fourth quarter.

This is the 69th consecutive quarterly cash dividend declared by the company's board since STFC had its initial public offering of common stock in 1991. STFC's dividend payments have increased at a compound average annual growth rate of 17% since 1991.

State Auto Financial Corporation, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is a super regional property and casualty insurance holding company. The company markets its personal and business insurance products exclusively through independent insurance agencies in 33 states and is proud to be a Trusted Choice(r) company partner. STFC stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which represents the top third of all NASDAQ listed companies. The company is one of NASDAQ's listed companies to be named a 2008 Mergent Dividend Achiever for having increased its annual dividend rate for ten or more years in succession.

The State Auto Insurance Companies are rated A+ (Superior) by the A.M. Best Company. The State Auto Insurance Companies include State Automobile Mutual, State Auto Property & Casualty, State Auto National, State Auto Ohio, State Auto Wisconsin, State Auto Florida, Milbank, Farmers Casualty, Meridian Security, Meridian Citizens Mutual, Beacon National, Beacon Lloyds, Patrons Mutual and Litchfield Mutual Fire. Additional information on State Auto Financial Corporation and the State Auto Insurance Companies can be found online at http://www.StateAuto.com.

The State Auto Financial Corp. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3534

         State Auto Financial Corporation
         Terrence Bowshier, Director of Investor Relations
           (614) 464-5078
         Kyle Anderson, Director of Media Relations
           (614) 917-5497