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Erie Insurance Review

Erie
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Bestmoney Staff
Oct. 13, 2021
3 min read
BestMoney Staff
Erie Summary
Erie is an auto insurance provider covering motorists in the East and Midwest. With an A+ rating from A.M. Best, what makes Erie stand out is the large array of extras and add ons the company offers. Erie provides all standard forms of auto coverage, with an easy application process: you can either get a fast quote online, or choose to meet a local Erie agent. If you have all your documents ready, you can even switch to Erie the same day.

Erie at a glance

2.4
Editorial score

Insurance Features

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Discounts Available

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Customer Service

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Online Experience

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Direct Insurer?

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Pros and Cons

Erie offers all the standard forms of coverage you’d expect of any auto insurers – such as liability, collision, and comprehensive – but it really stands out from the crowd with its sheer range of extra features and add-ons (described in detail in the section below). For example, it offers a Rate Lock feature, which guarantees you’ll pay the same price for your auto insurance year after year unless you add or remove a vehicle or driver or change your primary residence. With its Diminishing Deductible promise, your premium falls by $100 for each consecutive year you don’t file a claim, up to a maximum of $500 or 5 years.

The only obvious downside here is that Erie only operates in 12 states covering the East and Midwest (plus DC). If you don’t live in any of those states, Erie sadly can’t offer you its services. Although Erie is a large provider, it doesn’t offer any way of filing claims online or by mobile.

Types of Auto Insurance

Erie offers all the standard forms of auto coverage:

Liability. Covering bodily injury liability and property damage liability.

Collision. Covering damage to your vehicle if you hit another car or object.

Comprehensive. Covering damage to your vehicle in non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism, and weather incidents.

Personal Injury Protection: Covers medical expenses and extras like rehab and lost wages. Sold as “medical payments coverage” in some states.

Uninsured / underinsured motorist. Covers liabilities if an uninsured or underinsured driver is at fault in an accident.

As mentioned above, Erie is known for offering a long list of optional add-ons

Rate Lock: Keeps your premium at same level over consecutive years, unless you make changes to your policy such as adding a driver or vehicle.

First Accident Forgiveness: Guarantees no surcharge the first time you’re at fault, if you’ve already been a customer for 3 years.

Diminishing Deductible: Reduces your premium by $100 for each year you don’t file a claim, up to a maximum $500 reduction.

Bundled coverages: Allows you to expand your auto coverage cheaply if you want to add additional vehicles.

Transportation expense: Adds rental car expenses to collision and comprehensive coverage.

Road service: Includes reasonable towing and labor costs when your site breaks down.

New car protection: If your new vehicle (up to 24 months old) suffers a total loss, Erie will replace it with a new vehicle of the latest model year.

Better car protection: If your car is 24 months-plus and suffers a total loss, Erie will cover the balance of an auto loan or replace with a vehicle 2 years newer.

Non-owned auto coverage: Covers cars, moving vans, trailers, or temporary substitutes.

Pet coverage: If your pet is hurt in an accident while riding in your car, Erie will cover up to $500 treatment costs.

Personal item coverage: Covers loss of clothing, luggage and other personal belongings that were in stolen or damaged car.

Windshield repair: If damaged windshield can be fixed rather than replaced, Erie will ensure you don’t pay your comprehensive deductible.

How to Apply

New customers can apply for a quote on the Erie website, by calling the toll-free number (below), or by calling an Erie agent in their local area. In order to get an exact estimate of your premium, you’ll need to provide the following details: zip code; info about your, your driving history, and any other drivers you’d like to add to the policy; info about the vehicle (or vehicles) you’d like to insure. As long as you’re able to supply all the supporting documentation, Erie should be able to provide your insurance same day.

Filing a Claim

Erie offers 2 ways of filing a claim: by calling your agent or contacting the Erie office’s at toll-free number 800-367-3743. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer the option of filing an online or mobile claim. Erie enjoys an A+ rating from A.M. Best, testifying to its financial strength and ability to pay out on customers’ auto claims.

Contact Details

Erie Insurance serves residents in 12 states as well as the District of Columbia. The 12 states are Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. To enquire about Erie policies, contact:

Phone: The customer team can be reached at toll-free number 800-458-0811, option 4, from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern time).

Agent: Erie has 12,000 independent agents. You can find one in your area by calling Erie or by using its online search tool.

Mail: Erie’s headquarters are at 4950 West 23 rd St, Erie, PA, 16506. Details of local branch offices can be found on the Erie website.

Summary

Erie offers standard auto coverage to residents of 12 states, but its biggest selling point is its extras. Motorists around the country are at risk of seeing their premiums rise year after year, but with Erie you can lock in your rate permanently – provided you don’t make any changes to your policy. Erie offers accident forgiveness and diminishing deductibles, ensuring that you’re not only protected from suffering penalties when you’re at fault in an accident – but your premium will actually fall after each year in which you don’t file a claim.

BestMoney Staff
Written by
Bestmoney Staff
Our editorial staff consists of writers who are knowledgeable about financial services. We specialize in simplifying the process of choosing the right provider for your needs.

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