David J. Hosler Elected State Auto Vice President

COLUMBUS, Ohio, November 5, 2010: David J. Hosler has been elected vice president by the boards of directors of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company and State Auto Property & Casualty Insurance Company. Hosler will work with business opportunities presented by RED (Risk Evaluation and Design, LLC), STFC's affiliate in the alternative risk transfer market. RED was part of State Auto Mutual's 2009 acquisition of the Rockhill Insurance Group.

“RED is already contributing significant growth to State Auto's specialty insurance segment. Dave and the rest of the team will build on that momentum to further diversify our book of business.”

"Dave's broad commercial underwriting experience is a valuable asset to our alternative risk transfer business,"said State Auto Executive Vice President and COO Mark Blackburn. "RED is already contributing significant growth to State Auto's specialty insurance segment. Dave and the rest of the team will build on that momentum to further diversify our book of business.€???

Hosler joined State Auto Middle Market Insurance (SAMMI) as Central Zone vice president in 2008. He began his career as an underwriter with the Great American Insurance Group before becoming branch manager of AIG in Michigan. Before joining SAMMI, Hosler served as director of branch operations for USG Insurance Services. He earned an undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and an MBA from Miami University. He also holds both the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designations.

State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is a super regional property and casualty insurance holding company. The company is primarily engaged in writing personal and business insurance products exclusively through independent insurance agencies in 33 states and is proud to be a Trusted ChoiceŽ company partner. State Auto Mutual is part of the State Auto Group. The State Auto Group is rated A+ (Superior) by the A.M. Best Company and consists of 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.

State Auto Mutual also writes specialty insurance and workers'compensation products through its Rockhill insurance subsidiaries. The Rockhill insurance subsidiaries, rated A- (Excellent) by the A.M. Best Company, write business on a non-admitted basis in 49 states and the District of Columbia, and are licensed on an admitted basis in 42 states and the District of Columbia. Additional information on State Auto Mutual can be found online at www.StateAuto.com.