State Auto Financial Included In New NASDAQ Global Select Market

State Auto Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:STFC) announced
today that it is included in the new NASDAQ Global Select Market. The
NASDAQ Global Select Market has the highest initial listing standards
of any exchange in the world based on financial and liquidity
requirements. Prior to the change, the company had been listed on the
NASDAQ National Market.
   Beginning July 3, NASDAQ-listed companies will be classified under
three listing tiers -- NASDAQ Global Select Market, NASDAQ Global
Market, and NASDAQ Capital Market. NASDAQ also plans to launch indexes
based on these new tiers. Approximately one-third of NASDAQ listed
companies have qualified for the Global Select Market tier.
   "State Auto Financial Corporation is an industry leader that has
achieved superior listing standards, which clearly defines the essence
of the NASDAQ Global Select Market," said Bruce Aust, Executive Vice
President, Corporate Client Group. "NASDAQ is focused on leading a
race to the top in terms of listing qualifications. In recognizing
these companies, we are highlighting their achievement in meeting the
requirements to be included in the market with the highest listing
standards in the world."
   NASDAQ announced the new three tier listing classification in
February 2006. All three market tiers will maintain rigorous listing
and corporate governance standards. For additional information about
the NASDAQ Global Select Market, please go to:
www.nasdaq.com/GlobalSelect .
   STFC Chairman, President and CEO Bob Restrepo called the selection
"significant," and added that "We are honored to be among the
outstanding companies selected for this new tier. There's nothing
arbitrary about the criteria for inclusion. This is about performance,
stability and strength, as defined by the numbers." Restrepo believes
that the being a NASDAQ Global Select Company "will give STFC greater
index visibility."
   State Auto Financial Corporation, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio,
is a property and casualty insurance holding company. The company
markets its personal and commercial insurance products through more
than 22,300 independent insurance agents associated with nearly 3,000
agencies in 27 states. The company has been named Forbes Magazine's
"Best Managed Insurance Company in America" for 2006 and is one of
just 3% of publicly listed companies to earn the Mergent Dividend
Achiever Award for having increased its dividends for ten or more
years in succession. The State Auto Insurance Companies are rated A+
(Superior) by the A.M. Best Company. Additional information on the
company can be found on its web page at www.STFC.com.