Human Happens

You probably come to a full halt at stop signs, always use your turn signals and never speed through a yellow light. But even the best drivers all have one thing in common: we're all human, and humans make mistakes.

Maybe you forgot to look both ways before making that right turn on red, or you were following the car in front of you just a smidge too closely. It happens to the best of us. With most auto insurance companies, one human slip-up might be enough to send your premiums sky high. Luckily, Erie Insurance isn't like most insurance companies.

We offer two different types of accident forgiveness.  First Accident Forgiveness lets you off the hook for your first at-fault accident, with no surcharge. The second is called Feature 15. This special forgiveness means that after 15 continuous years of holding your car insurance with ERIE, you'll never get surcharged for another at-fault accident again. It's just our little way of rewarding your loyalty.

So keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and your head in the game. We never want you to have an accident. But just in case you, we'll help get you back on your feet as soon as you can.

Call us today to learn about how accident forgiveness and other discounts and extras can save you money on your auto insurance.

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Friend and Foe

Fire is man’s oldest ally -- and our oldest enemy. We use it for cooking, for warmth, for electricity and light, but sometimes, it can turn on us. More than 3,500 Americans die every year in house fires, and more than 18,000 are injured. Take the time to protect your family and your home from fire damage with a few simple tips:

• Electrical fires: A little common sense can go a long way in keeping your home safe from electrical fire. Don’t overload circuits, and immediately unplug any device that sputters, sparks or smokes. Don’t run cords under rugs or other flammable items.
• Kitchen fires: Fire cooks our food, but it can all too easily get out of hand. Make sure to never leave a pot on the stove unattended, and keep towels and other flammable items away from burners. Remember that if you have a grease fire, adding water to the flames will only make the problem worse. Keep an approved chemical fire extinguisher in easy reach.
• Smoke alarms: Having a working smoke alarm in your house can double your chances of survival in a fire. Test the alarm every month, and make sure it always has fresh batteries. A great way to remember to change the batteries is to change them when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time.

These few simple tips can keep you and your home safe from the ravages of fire. Call us today for more information on fire safety—and how you can receive discounts for being fire wise. We can also talk about bundling in your auto policy, and saving you even more money—and peace of mind.

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Hit by an Uninsured Driver. Now What?

You try to do everything by the book, but not everyone does. You do your best to protect yourself and your vehicle with auto insurance, but uninsured drivers are out there every day. A 2011 study by the Insurance Research Council estimates that 1 in 7 drivers are uninsured. So chances are pretty good that you might wind up in an accident with a driver with no insurance. What happens now?

Luckily, you can protect yourself with Uninsured Motorist Coverage. This add-on policy is exactly what it sounds like: extra coverage that makes sure you aren't left holding the bill if you're injured in an accident with an uninsured driver. Expenses for injuries from car accidents can add up quickly, and without insurance, the financial hardships can be tough to overcome.

Another add-on is Underinsured Motorist Coverage. Some drivers meet the minimum state requirements for insurance, but the payouts are too small to help you in the case of serious injuries. That's where ERIE's coverage comes in, making sure that you get just compensation for your injuries—even if the other driver’s insurance isn’t sufficient to make that happen. 

We're just doing our best to look out for you. If you have any questions or are interested in adding uninsured or underinsured coverage to your policy, let us know, and we'll be glad to walk you through the whole process. Stay safe out there!

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What to Do After an Accident

The screech of tires. The shriek of brakes. The tinkle of broken glass. These aren't sounds that anyone wants to hear, but car accidents are part of modern life.  How you react after an accident can make the process of getting back on your feet a lot easier. So keep calm and start picking up the pieces. Here’s a checklist to keep in mind:

ñ  Get out of the way--: If the accident happened in the middle of the street, move to the shoulder or another safe location to check the extent of damages.

ñ  Check for injuries: Are you okay? Your passengers? The people in the other car? Safety should be your number one priority. If you're in doubt, call 911.

ñ  Call the police if necessary: If there are injuries, extensive damage, property damage, or you need help moving your cars out of the roadway, call the police. Afterward, make sure you get a copy of their report.

ñ  Exchange insurance information: So you can make a claim, make sure you get the other driver's name, phone number, address, license plate number, make, model and year of the vehicle, and insurance number. No need to discuss who's at fault in the accident. The claims investigation will clear that up. 

ñ  Document: Take careful note of the scene. If you have a smart phone or camera with you, pictures can be a huge help. If there are witnesses, don't interview them yourself—just get their name and number.

ñ  Call your Agent: Call us any time, and we'll get the ball rolling on your claim right away.

And that's it—we'll take it from here. By keeping a cool head and following these simple steps, you'll have a great foundation to a quick, painless claim. Have other questions about what to do after an accident? We're always here to help.

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Seriously Good Insurance

You gotta love the Super Bowl. Not only do you get the gridiron excitement of football, you also get the best commercials the year has to offer. There are funny ones advertising beer and snack foods, touching ones that remind us of our childhood, and of course insurance ads.

Turn your TV to any channel, any time of the day or night, and wait for the commercial break. Odds are good you'll see an ad for an insurance company. According to Ad Age magazine, insurance companies spent $4.15 billion on advertising in 2009 alone. That's more than the gross national product of Barbados.

But chances are you haven't seen a whole lot of ads for Erie Insurance. We’re not about funny advertising.  We’re about seriously good insurance. We know that if we give you amazing, personalized service, you'll tell your friends about us. And they'll tell their friends. And that's ultimately better than all the ads in the world.

So next time you see a funny ad for an insurance company, consider this.  At Erie Insurance, we put smiles on our customers’ faces by delivering the best service in the industry. No joke. 

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Getting Serious About Life Insurance

No one likes to think about life insurance, much less talk about it or buy it. It’s uncomfortable and a little scary, acknowledging that we won’t live forever. But remember: life insurance isn’t about the people who are gone. It’s about the people who remain.

Life insurance is the ultimate safety net. It ensures that even in the event of your death, your loved ones are taken care of. Maybe it’s ensuring that your kids can still go to the college of their choice, or making sure that your spouse still has the golden years you two dreamed of. Or it can be as simple as making sure funeral arrangements are paid for so friends and family aren’t burdened with final expenses.

It’s time to stop pretending that life insurance doesn’t exist. Let’s sit down and talk about your needs, your options, and how you want to protect your family in case of the worst. You’ll be amazed at the peace of mind it affords you. No matter what happens now, your family will be provided for. There’s no better feeling in the world.





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There She Is, Miss America…

Erie Insurance agents have to be like Miss America. While there’s no eveningwear competition, we have to be just as well-rounded as any pageant contestant.  And there’s even a judging portion: all ERIE agents are “handpicked” to make sure they’re the kind of people who will uphold the motto of “ERIE is Above All in Service.^Ò”

It’s not enough that we can help you get the best deals on coverage (though we’re always looking out for you).

It’s not enough that we are knowledgeable about insurance (though we know our stuff).

No, ERIE agents have to be the kind of people who are never okay with “good enough.” We’re the kind of people who always go the extra mile, not because we have to, but because it’s the right thing to do. The kind of people who take the time to listen, to care, and to give all that we have.

That’s the value of an ERIE agent. Does your agent hold service above all?

“All insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described here; we can answer any questions you may have.”