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Erie Auto Insurance – Product Name Only is only available in 12 states, but if the insurer offers coverage where you live it could be a great choice thanks to its well regarded policies with several built-in features and a high claims satisfaction score. However, you have to call in to file most claims, and it’s not always the cheapest option.
If you’re in the market for cheap car insurance that offers quality customer service and an exceptional selection of coverages with built-in features, Erie Insurance may be the right provider. The insurer also works with independent agents who can pull quotes from multiple companies and find the best rates for you.
However, if you’re a tech-savvy customer who values digital experience, you may not be thrilled with Erie Insurance’s mobile app, which has mixed reviews online. Additionally, Erie Insurance only offers its services in 12 states, which excludes many shoppers.
Keep reading to see if Erie is the best car insurance company for you.
Types of Auto Insurance Plans From Erie Insurance
Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, Erie Insurance has been serving its customers since 1925. Today, the company manages over 6 million policies.
Here are the car insurance coverage options available from Erie:
Collision coverage — Erie insurance will pay for your vehicle’s repairs if damaged in a collision.Comprehensive coverage — This insurance will cover repairs and replacements from non-collision-related accidents, like vandalism, theft, or fire. This insurance policy gives you a deductible waiver on glass repairs, up to $75 worth of locksmith service, $350 worth of personal item coverage, and rental car insurance. Bodily injury liability coverage — Insurance will cover expenses like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering of the victim party if they get injured in an accident you were at fault for.Property damage liability coverage — Insurance will cover the cost of damages to the other party’s property or vehicle if you’re at fault in an accident. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage — Erie Insurance will pay for your medical expenses and property damages if you’re involved in an accident where another party is at fault. Medical payments coverage — Medpay will cover gaps in your health insurance if you are involved in a vehicular accident.
Additional Coverage Options (Riders) From Erie Auto Insurance
Erie car insurance offers these complimentary services, which most companies would charge for.
Accident forgiveness — This endorsement allows you to experience no increase in premiums for your first at-fault accident if you’ve been an Erie member for more than three years.Windshield repair — You’ll receive a waiver on your comprehensive deductible if you repair instead of replacing a damaged windshield. Pet injury coverage — Erie Insurance will cover up to $500 per pet or $1,000 in total if your pet gets injured in a car accident. Trip interruption coverage — If your car breaks down due to a covered event, insurance will cover the cost of meals and housing.
With an Erie auto insurance policy, you also have built-in coverages for when you borrow or rent a car, relatives you borrow your car, waived deductibles for certain losses, coverage for locksmith services, and emergency roadside assistance.
Rate lock — This endorsement will secure your rates even if your situation changes (unless you move or add/remove another driver).New or better car replacement — This additional coverage will replace your car with a vehicle of similar or better value if totaled during an accident. Gap insurance — If your car is totaled, gap insurance will pay the difference between the remainder of your car lease and the depreciated value of your vehicle. Ridesharing insurance — Do you drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft? This insurance will cover accidents while your app runs but not while carrying passengers.Car rental coverage — If your car is in the shop for repairs, this add-on will cover your rental car expenses. Roadside assistance — This coverage will pay for emergency services like towing or jumpstarting your car if it breaks down on the road.
You can also purchase Erie’s premium package, Erie Auto Plus. This bundle offers diminishing deductibles, up to ten days of alternative transportation expenses, increased coverage limits, waived deductibles, and $10,000 in death benefits for life insurance.
How Much Does Erie Auto Insurance Cost?
Erie costs less than the national average price of auto insurance across all ages and genders, as shown in the table below. Plus, you’re getting great bang for your buck with its comprehensive policies and highly rated customer service.
It’s also a great insurance option for those with minor to serious driving infractions. On average, drivers with a traffic offense see premiums over $100 cheaper monthly with Erie Insurance.
AgeErie average monthly premiumNational average (female)National average (male)Teenagers$261$345$38620s$137$223$24030s$125$164$16740s$116$154$15450s$109$138$14060s$97$136$14270s$85$160$173
Source: Insurify
How to File a Claim With Erie Car Insurance
You can file a car insurance claim with Erie by contacting an Erie Insurance agent or calling (800) 367-3743. Unfortunately, unless your claim is related to windshield/auto glass or roadside assistance, you must speak to a representative to file your claim instead of doing it yourself on a mobile app or web browser.
The Insurance Information Institute recommends having several pieces of information on hand before you start your claim to make the process go as smoothly as possible, including:
Names and contact information of everyone involved in the accident (passengers, drivers, pedestrians, witnesses, etc.)Photos of each party’s license, car registration, and insurance ID cardsMakes and models of the vehicles involved in the accidentDetails like location, time, and weather conditions during the incidentPolice report number
Remember that before you receive your claim, you must pay a deductible if you have one. If your repair amount exceeds your deductible, Erie Insurance may deny your claim.
Erie Auto Insurance Frequently Asked
What company owns Erie Insurance?
The Erie Indemnity Company underwrites policies on behalf of the Erie Insurance Exchange.
Is Erie a big insurance company?
It’s on the large side. Erie Insurance currently has 6 million policies in force, over 6,000 employees, and over 13,000 independent insurance agents representing the company.
What type of insurance is Erie?
Erie Insurance is a property and casualty company. However, it also sells business and life insurance insurance policies.
What states is Erie car insurance available in?
Erie car insurance is available in 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Erie Auto Insurance
At Personal Finance Insider, we believe in putting our readers first. We ensure you’re getting the most accurate and impartial information so you make the most informed financial decision.
We write our reviews based on the quality of the insurance provider and the breadth of the company’s offerings. We used data from third-party rating agencies, consumer reviews, expert analysis on the team, and our personal experience with the company to create a well-rounded assessment.
The quality of a company is based on customer service, financial strength, the types of agents used, availability, digital experience, and ethics. For company offerings, we evaluate affordability, policy types, coverages available, and standard exclusions. See our insurance rating methodology for more details on what goes into our reviewing process.
How Erie Auto Insurance Compares
Erie vs. Amica Car Insurance
ErieAmicaAverage monthly cost (drivers in their 30s)$125$408JD Power ratingRanked #3, 893/1,000 scoreRanked No. 1, 903/1,000 scoreAM Best financial stability ratingA+ (Superior)A+ (Superior)NAIC complaint index score*0.570.81
*Lower scores are better for the NAIC complaint index.
Based on these sample rates, Amica’s car insurance prices are almost four times more expensive than Erie Insurance. However, Amica Auto Insurance – Brand Name scored No. 1 in JD Power’s auto insurance claims satisfaction study. But Erie is not far behind, at #3.
With Erie, you can get trip interruption coverage and rate locks coverage. Amica offers identity fraud monitoring, deluxe rental coverage, good driver rewards, and the potential to earn dividends on your auto insurance policy.
Read our Amica insurance review.
Erie vs. American Family Car Insurance
ErieAmerican FamilyAverage monthly cost (drivers in their 30s)$125$213JD Power ratingRanked #3, 893/1,000 scoreRanked #8, 874/1,000 scoreAM Best financial stability ratingA+ (Superior)A (Excellent)NAIC complaint index score*0.570.41
*Lower scores are better for the NAIC complaint index.
Erie offers a cheaper policy, and it’s also more highly rated than American Family Auto Insurance – Brand Name in terms of customer service. However, American Family offers more discounts than its competitor, potentially dropping the price a bit.
When it comes to the breadth of coverage options, Erie takes the win. It offers the ability to lock in your rates, vanishing deductibles, and potentially a waiver of deductibles for non-at-fault accidents.
Read our American Family car insurance review.
Erie Insurance vs. State Farm
ErieState FarmAverage monthly cost (drivers in their 30s)$125$99JD Power ratingRanked #3, 893/1,000 scoreRanked #7, 882/1,000 scoreAM Best financial stability ratingA+ (Superior)A++ (Superior)NAIC complaint index score*0.571.64
*Lower scores are better for the NAIC complaint index.
State Farm Auto Insurance – Brand Name is the cheaper choice when it comes to car insurance. However, Erie Insurance ranks better in customer service. Additionally, State Farm has more complaints than Erie Insurance, which may concern shoppers. However, State Farm also has significantly more policies in force as it offers its services nationwide.
While State Farm is cheaper, it doesn’t offer gap insurance, accident forgiveness coverage, new or better car replacement, or diminishing deductibles like Erie. Another thing to note is that State Farm sells its policies through captive agents, meaning the agents can only sell for State Farm. Erie Insurance works with independent agents who can pull quotes and sell policies from other companies.
Read our State Farm auto insurance review.