EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.53

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of March 1, 2009, by and among State Auto Financial Corporation, an Ohio corporation (“State Auto Financial”), State Auto Property and Casualty Insurance Company, an Iowa domiciled insurance company (“State Auto P&C”), State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, an Ohio domiciled mutual insurance company (“State Auto Mutual”), and Robert P. Restrepo, Jr. (“Executive”). State Auto Financial, State Auto P&C, State Auto Mutual and each of their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, present and future, are hereinafter collectively referred to as “State Auto.”

Background Information

WHEREAS, State Auto P&C is the principal operating subsidiary of State Auto Financial and the employer of record of all employees of State Auto, and State Auto Financial is a majority owned subsidiary of State Auto Mutual, while State Auto Mutual is the ultimate controlling entity in the State Auto holding company system; and

WHEREAS, as a result of the Executive’s dual role, as described below, in serving State Auto Financial, State Auto Mutual and the other State Auto companies, it is appropriate that this Employment Agreement be entered into among State Auto P&C, State Auto Financial, State Auto Mutual and Executive; and

WHEREAS, State Auto currently employs Executive as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of State Auto; and

WHEREAS, Executive desires to continue such employment on the terms and conditions set forth below.

Statement of Agreement

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of such employment, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

Article I Definitions.

Capitalized terms used herein which are not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Executive Agreement dated the same date as this Agreement among State Auto Financial, State Auto Mutual and Executive (the “Executive Agreement”), a copy of the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference.

Article II Employment Duties and Term.

(A) Duties.

Executive shall perform the duties of the offices of Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of State Auto as described in the Bylaws or the Code of Regulations, as applicable, of each State Auto company, as well as such other duties and services requested or directed by any State Auto Board of Directors, consistent with Executive’s offices herein. Executive shall devote the Executive’s full time and attention and best efforts to the performance of such duties. Executive shall serve as an officer of State Auto so long as Executive shall be duly elected by the respective State Auto Boards of Directors at any time or times during the term of this Agreement.

(B) Term.

The term of this Agreement shall be for a period commencing on March 1, 2009 (“Commencement Date”), and ending on December 31, 2011, unless terminated at an earlier date pursuant to an event described in Article IV of this Agreement (referred to hereafter as the “Employment Term”). State Auto shall provide Executive notice or Executive shall provide State Auto with notice, in writing, at least 90 days prior to the end of the Employment Term of the Agreement’s termination; provided, however, that it is understood and agreed that this Agreement shall terminate as of December 31, 2011, regardless of whether such notice is given and provided further that Executive’s notice, if given, under this Section (B) shall not constitute a Voluntary Termination as defined Section (C) of Article IV. It is further understood that in the event State Auto and Executive agree that Executive is to perform his duties for a period not to exceed 60 days following the expiration of the Agreement, that shall not effect a waiver of any right Executive might have to severance benefits otherwise contemplated by the terms of this Agreement.

Article III Compensation.

State Auto agrees to pay to Executive and Executive agrees to accept the following amounts as compensation in full for Executive’s services in any capacity hereunder or in the performance of other like duties assigned to Executive by the Board of Directors of State Auto:

(A) Base Compensation.

At the outset of the Employment Term, State Auto shall pay to Executive a base salary (the “Base Salary”) in the amount of Seven Hundred Thirty Thousand ($730,000.00) Dollars per year, payable in accordance with State Auto’s general policies and procedures for payment of compensation to its salaried personnel, plus such increases in annual base compensation that the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of State Auto Financial (the “STFC Compensation Committee”) may authorize as provided herein. The compensation of Executive shall be reviewed by the STFC Compensation Committee no less often than once each calendar year during the Employment Term and may be increased by the STFC Compensation Committee as it determines in the good faith exercise of its business judgment based on such factors as the STFC Compensation Committee deems appropriate. In no event shall the Base Salary be less than the Base Salary set forth above; provided, however, that this restriction may be suspended by the STFC Compensation Committee if the STFC Compensation Committee and Executive mutually agree, on the basis of such commercially reasonable factors as each deems appropriate in the good faith exercise of their respective business judgment, that imposing such suspension is in the best interests of State Auto Financial (“Exigent Circumstances”). Any request by State Auto for Executive’s agreement to a reduction or suspension of any portion of his compensation, bonus or other payments will not constitute grounds for a claim by Executive that he has suffered an involuntary Termination Without Cause (as defined below). If, however, Executive and the STFC Compensation Committee cannot reach mutual agreement concerning any such reduction or suspension, the Base Salary shall continue to not be less than the Base Salary set forth above.

2

(B) Short Term Incentive Cash Compensation Plans.

(C) Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan.

Executive shall participate in the State Auto Financial Corporation Long-Term Incentive Program (the “LTIP”) as applicable to Executive and certain other executives of State Auto, per the terms and conditions of the LTIP.

(D) Participation in Retirement Plan and Rights Under Other Agreements.

3

(E) Other Fringe Benefits.

In addition to the benefits provided for in Article III, Executive shall receive and enjoy any and all other fringe benefits generally made available to employees of State Auto as described in State Auto’s Employee Reference Guide, in accordance with State Auto’s regular employment policies and practices. In addition, the STFC Compensation Committee and the Boards of Directors of State Auto Financial and State Auto Mutual shall have the authority to grant such additional fringe benefits and perquisites to Executive as each, in its discretion, deems appropriate. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder; provided that such reimbursement shall be in accordance with State Auto’s then existing policy regarding the same and further provided that no reimbursement shall be made later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which such expense was incurred. If such benefits are taxable, State Auto shall ensure that terms of the benefits will comply with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated or issued thereunder.

(F) Participation in Future Compensation, Retirement, and Fringe Benefit Plans.

In addition to the benefits provided for in Article III, Executive shall participate in and shall also receive and enjoy such other compensation, retirement, or fringe benefits which are now or in the future generally made available to executives of State Auto. If such benefits are taxable, State Auto shall ensure that terms of the benefits will comply with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated or issued thereunder.

(G) Vacation.

Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation and such other personal absence days as State Auto provides its other employees. After five years of employment, Executive shall be entitled to an additional week of paid vacation, consistent with State Auto’s employment policies and practices then in place.

Article IV Termination.

(A) Disability.

If during the Employment Term Executive shall be unable to perform substantially his duties hereunder because of illness or other incapacity constituting a disability as defined in Section 409A of the Code (referred to hereafter as “Disability”), and such Disability shall persist for a period of at least six months in any 12 month period, State Auto shall thereafter have the right, on not less than 45 days’ written notice to Executive, to terminate Executive’s employment under this Agreement, in which case the date of Executive’s separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) shall be not less than the 45^th day following the date of written

4

notice. In such event, in addition to any other benefits to which Executive would be entitled, State Auto shall be obligated to pay Executive his full compensation pursuant to Sections (A), (B), and (C) of Article III hereof accruing through the date of such separation from service and per the terms of the applicable plan or program. Thereafter, State Auto shall be obligated to pay Executive an amount equal to 80% of the Executive’s then-current Base Salary, less any benefits to which Executive might be entitled under State Auto’s long term disability plan described in State Auto’s Employee Reference Guide that is current as of the date of such separation from service. The compensation provided under this Section shall continue for the full period of Disability or until Executive attains age 65, whichever first occurs and shall be paid in accordance with State Auto’s normal compensation practices applicable to salaried employees. A determination of Disability shall be subject to the certification of a qualified medical doctor agreed to by State Auto and Executive or, in the event of Executive’s incapacity to designate a qualified medical doctor, by Executive’s legal representative. If State Auto and Executive (or his legal representative, as the case may be) fail to agree upon a qualified medical doctor, each party shall nominate a qualified medical doctor and the two doctors shall select a third doctor, who shall make the determination as to Disability. In addition to the foregoing disability compensation described in this Article IV Section (A), Executive shall continue to receive such health insurance benefits or their equivalent as he and his spouse receive on the effective date hereof, as well as such group life insurance as Executive has in place on his life, as of the date of Disability, pursuant to the terms of such plans as are generally made available to State Auto employees. Executive’s compensation and other benefits described in Article III shall be reinstated in full upon his return to employment and the discharge of his full duties hereunder.

(B) Death.

In the event of Executive’s death during his employment hereunder, in addition to any other benefits to which any person would be entitled upon Executive’s death, State Auto shall continue to pay his then-current Base Salary for a period equal to the lesser of 12 full calendar months following the month in which his death occurs or until Executive would have attained age 65. Such Base Salary payments shall be made in accordance with State Auto’s normal compensation practices applicable to salaried employees. A pro rata share of the compensation to which Executive is entitled pursuant to Article III Section (B) and (C) hereof shall be paid pursuant to the terms of the LBP, the QPB Plan, and the LTIP (collectively, the “Bonus Plans”), provided the bonus contemplated by any of the Bonus Plans is in fact earned under the terms of such Bonus Plan then in effect for tine particular period in which Executive were to die. Said pro rata share of the bonus due under the Arrangement shall be determined by dividing a numerator equal to the number of whole months that have elapsed in the calendar year on the date of the Executive’s death by the denominator of 12. Said pro rata share of any bonus due under the QPB Plan shall be determined by dividing a numerator equal to the number of whole months that have elapsed in the calendar quarter on the date of the Executive’s death, divided by a denominator of three. The pro-rata share of the payment due under the LTIP shall be determined by dividing a numerator equal to the number of whole months that have elapsed in the then current LTIP’s measurement period on the date of the Executive’s death divided by a denominator equal to the duration of the measurement period. Executive’s compensation for the period following his death shall be paid to the beneficiary indicated on the Beneficiary Designation attached hereto as Exhibit B. If the bonus due under the LBP, or the LTIP is earned under Article III, said sums will be paid to the Beneficiary as soon as practicable following the end of the calendar year following the determination by State Auto that the bonus due under the LBP or the LTIP has in fact been earned pursuant to the terms of each such bonus opportunity, but no later than March 15 following such calendar year. In addition to the foregoing, in the event of Executive’s death during his employment hereunder, Executive’s spouse shall be entitled to participate in State Auto’s fringe benefit programs as would the spouse of any other deceased State Auto employee in similar circumstances.

5

(C) Voluntary Termination.

Except as provided in the Executive Agreement, in the event Executive voluntarily terminates his employment, including, without limitation, Retirement initiated solely by Executive, and mandatory retirement at age 65 (as permitted by Section 1625.12 of the ADEA regulations), he shall cease to receive compensation as of the date of such separation from service, except that to which he may then be entitled pursuant to the terms of the LBP, the QPB Plan, or the LTIP, as then in effect. It is understood and agreed that as respects the LBP, the QPB Plan, and the LTIP, Executive is required to be employed by State Auto on the date such amount is paid, if he had in fact earned such bonus under the terms of the LBP, the QPB Plan, and the LTIP, unless the terms of the LBP, the QPB Plan and the LTIP provide otherwise.

(D) Termination for Cause.

6

(E) Involuntary Termination Without Cause.

In the event that the Boards determine that this Agreement and the employment of Executive should be terminated for a reason other than death, Disability, voluntary separation from service by Executive, or for Cause (such reason is hereafter referred to as a “Termination Without Cause”), Executive, or his designated beneficiary, shall be entitled to his then current Base Salary and benefits under Section (E) of Article III for the lesser of 24 months after separation from service or until Executive attains age 65. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to receive a one-year bonus payment equal to the average of the annual aggregate bonus under the QPB Plan (or its successor) earned by the Executive for each of the two calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year in which the Termination Without Cause occurs, plus the average of the amount earned under the LBP and the LTIP in place for each of the two calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year in which the Termination Without Cause occurs. If Executive shall attain age 65 within less than 12 months of the Termination Without Cause, such bonus payment shall be prorated for the number of months until Executive attains age 65. Subject to the provisions of Section (I) of Article IV of the Agreement below, such payment shall be made as soon as practicable after Executive’s separation from service, but in no event later than 210 days following Executive’s separation from service. Furthermore, in this event, any stock options granted to Executive shall vest on the termination date, notwithstanding any vesting schedule set forth in any outstanding option agreements with Executive. In addition, in this event, Executive shall be entitled: (a) to receive payment of any Base Salary accrued through the separation from service date and (b) to receive a pro-rated amount of compensation to which he may be entitled pursuant to the LBP, the QPB Plan, and the LTIP, per the terms of each plan as then in effect, based on the effective date of the separation from service described in this section (E). In addition to the foregoing, in the event of Termination Without Cause, Executive shall be entitled to receive from State Auto an amount equal to the then current monthly per employee cost of providing State Auto’s health insurance benefit multiplied by the lesser of 24 or the number of months until Executive attains age 65, plus such additional amount that represents a gross-up of the taxes due for that particular amount of income. Such amounts shall be paid pursuant to the provisions of Section (I) of Article IV of the Agreement below.

(F) Nonrenewal.

In the event that Executive desires to renew his employment with the Company at the end of the term of this Agreement as stated in Section (B) of Article II of the Agreement above, and the Board of Directors of State Auto does not desire that Executive’s employment shall be so renewed, State Auto shall continue to pay Executive his then-current Base Salary for a period of 12 calendar months following the month of Executive’s separation from service. Such Base Salary payments shall be made in accordance with State Auto’s normal compensation practices applicable to salaried employees. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to receive a one-year bonus payment equal to the average of the annual aggregate bonus under the QPB Plan (or its successor) earned by the Executive for each of the two calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year in which the nonrenewal occurs, plus the average of the amount earned under the LBP and the LTIP in place for each of the two calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year in which the nonrenewal occurs. Subject to the provisions of Section (I) of Article IV of the Agreement below, such bonus payment shall be made as soon as practicable after Executive’s separation from service, but in no event later than 210 days following Executive’s separation from service.

(G) Change of Control.

In the event that State Auto shall undergo a Change of Control, as defined in the Executive Agreement, and Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason, as defined in the Executive Agreement, in lieu of any compensation otherwise provided under this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to the benefits described in the Executive Agreement.

7

(H) Mitigation.

In the event that Executive voluntarily terminates his employment, as set forth in Article IV Section (C) herein, or Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement is Terminated Without Cause, as set forth in Article IV Section (E) herein, or Executive’s employment is not renewed, as set forth in Article IV Section (F) herein, or Executive is terminated pursuant to a Change of Control, as set forth in Article IV Section (G) herein, Executive shall have no duty to mitigate his damages by seeking other employment, and State Auto shall not be entitled to set off against amounts payable hereunder any compensation which he may receive from future employment.

(I) Specified Employee Delay.

In the event Executive is a Specified Employee as defined in Section 409A of the Code, any payments under this Agreement due to a separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) and subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be delayed until a date that is six months after the date of separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Specified Employee). Payments to which a Specified Employee would otherwise be entitled during the first six months following the date of separation from service shall be accumulated and paid as of the first date of the seventh month following the date of separation from service.

Article V Executive’s Rights Under Certain Plans.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein, State Auto agrees that the benefits provided to Executive herein are not in lieu of any rights and privileges to which Executive may be entitled as an employee of State Auto under any retirement, pension, insurance, hospitalization, or other plan which may now or hereafter be in effect, it being understood that, except to the extent currently provided in such plans, Executive shall have the same rights and privileges to participate in such plans or benefits as any other employee of State Auto. If Executive shall be entitled to participate in any retirement or fringe benefit plan pursuant to the terms of this Agreement after the cessation of his employment and if the terms of any such retirement or fringe benefit plan do not permit continued participation by Executive after separation from service, then State Auto will arrange for other coverage at State Auto’s expense providing substantially similar benefits. If such benefits are taxable, State Auto shall ensure that terms of the benefits will comply with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated or issued thereunder.

Article VI Confidential Information; Noncompetition Agreement.

(A) Confidential Information.

Executive agrees to receive Confidential Information (as defined below) of State Auto in confidence, and not to disclose to others, assist others in the application of, or use for his own gain, such information, or any part thereof, unless and until it has become public knowledge or has come into the possession of such other or others by legal and equitable means and other than as a result of disclosure by Executive. Executive further agrees that, upon separation from service with State Auto, all documents, records, notebooks, and similar repositories (including electronic formats) containing Confidential Information, including copies thereof, then in Executive’s possession, whether prepared by him or others, will be left with State Auto. For purposes of this Article VI, “Confidential Information” means information disclosed to Executive or known by State Auto, which is not generally known in the business in which State Auto is or may become engaged, including, but not limited to, information about State Auto’s services, trade

8

secrets, financial information, customer lists, books, records, memoranda, other proprietary information of State Auto and any other information deemed to be Confidential Information as determined by the State Auto Mutual Board of Directors Corporate Governance Guidelines, the State Auto Code of Business Conduct and/or any other applicable State Auto policy. Executive further agrees that the obligation to maintain confidentiality created by this Article VI shall continue in effect for the duration of this Agreement and for three (3) years following the termination of Executive’s service with State Auto, but that thereafter this obligation shall expire.

(B) Devotion of Time to Performance of Duties.

Executive further agrees that during the Employment Term he will devote substantially all of his time and effort to the performance of his duties hereunder and will refrain from engaging on his own behalf or on the behalf of a third party in any line of activities or business in which State Auto is or may become engaged. With the concurrence of the Boards, and subject to the applicable provisions of the State Auto Mutual Board of Directors Corporate Governance Guidelines, the State Auto Code of Business Conduct and/or any other applicable State Auto policy, Executive may serve on the board of directors of another public company, in addition to the board of directors of State Auto Financial, if that opportunity presents itself.

(C) Noncompetition Agreement.

9

(D) Forfeiture Events.

The Boards may, in their discretion, require that all or any portion of the termination benefits provided under Article IV Sections (A) through (E) (collectively, the “Termination Benefits”) are subject to an obligation of repayment to State Auto upon: (i) the violation of the non-competition and/or confidentiality covenants applicable to the Executive, as described in Sections (A) and (C) above; (ii) a financial restatement where (1) the amount of Executive’s Termination Benefits were calculated based upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently the subject of a financial statement restatement; (2) Executive engaged in fraudulent misconduct that caused or substantially contributed to the need for the financial statement restatement; and (3) the amount of Executive’s Termination Benefits would have been lower than the amount actually awarded to such Executive had the financial results been properly reported; or (iii) Executive has engaged in any wrongful conduct during the Employment Term which has a material adverse effect on State Auto as determined by the Boards, in good faith. This Section (D) shall not be State Auto’s exclusive remedy with respect to such matters.

Article VII Successors.

(A) As to State Auto.

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon State Auto, its successors and assigns, including without limitation, any person, partnership, or corporation which may acquire voting control of State Auto Financial or all or substantially all of its assets and business, or which may be a party to any consolidation, merger, or other transaction that results in a Change of Control of State Auto Financial or State Auto Mutual.

(B) As to Executive.

This Agreement shall also inure to the benefit of and be binding on Executive, his heirs, successors, and legal representatives.

Article VIII COBRA Continuation Coverage.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of any qualifying event, as defined in Section 4980B(f)(3) of Code, Executive and his qualifying beneficiaries shall be entitled to continuation of health care coverage, as provided under Section 4980B(f) of the Code. The foregoing is intended as a statement of Executive’s continuation coverage rights and is in no way intended to limit any greater rights of Executive or his qualified beneficiaries under this Agreement. If a greater benefit is available to Executive or his qualifying beneficiaries under this Agreement or otherwise, Executive or his qualified beneficiaries may forego continuation coverage and elect instead such greater benefit.

10

Article IX Indemnification.

State Auto, as provided for in its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, its Amended and Restated Bylaws, and its Indemnification Agreement with Executive, shall indemnify Executive to the full extent of the general laws of the State of Ohio, now or hereafter in force, including the advance of expenses under procedures provided by such laws.

Article X General Provisions.

(A) Entire Agreement.

This Agreement, together with the Executive Agreement, contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the employment of Executive by State Auto, and completely supersedes any prior employment agreements or arrangements between the parties hereto. The parties hereto agree that this Agreement cannot be hereafter amended, modified, or supplemented in any respect, except by a subsequent written agreement signed by both parties hereto. The parties also agree that this Agreement shall be amended and/or modified as necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code or regulations issued thereunder.

(B) Applicable Law.

This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Ohio, without giving effect to any of its conflict of law provisions.

(C) Venue.

State Auto and Executive designate either the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County, Ohio or the U.S. District Court in Columbus, Ohio as the exclusive courts of competent jurisdiction and venue for any actions or proceedings relating to this Agreement and hereby irrevocably consent to such designation, jurisdiction and venue.

(D) Notices.

All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and will be duly given if sent by registered or certified mail to the respective parties to the addresses set forth below or such other addresses as the parties may hereafter designate in writing for such purpose:

(E) Assignment.

Except as expressly provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any rights, benefits, or obligations hereunder may be assigned by Executive without the prior written consent of State Auto Mutual and State Auto Financial.

(F) Capacity.

State Auto Financial, State Auto P&C and State Auto Mutual represent and warrant to Executive that they have the capacity and right to enter into this Agreement and perform all of their obligations under this Agreement without any restriction by any agreement, document, restrictive covenant, or otherwise.

11

(G) Waiver.

The failure by a party to exercise or enforce any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement will not constitute or be deemed a waiver of that party’s rights hereunder to enforce each and every term of this Agreement. The failure by a party to insist upon strict performance of any of the terms and provisions herein will not be deemed a waiver of any subsequent default in the terms or provisions herein.

(H) Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

All rights and remedies of the parties hereunder are cumulative.

(I) Divisibility.

The provisions of this Agreement are divisible. If any such provision shall be deemed invalid or unenforceable, it shall not affect the applicability or validity of any other provision of this Agreement, and if any such provision shall be deemed invalid or unenforceable as to any periods of time, territory, or business activities, such provision shall be deemed limited to the extent necessary to render it valid and enforceable.

(J) Captions and Titles.

Captions and titles have been used in this Agreement only for convenience and in no way define, limit, or describe the meaning of any Article or any part thereof.

SIGNATURES APPEAR ON NEXT PAGE

12

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed this Agreement on March 6, 2009 which is effective on the date and year first above written.

13

Exhibit A

14