Erie Insurance Review (2026)

  • Overall rating: solid (4.1/5 stars)
  • Average cost: $794 for a 6-month policy
  • 96% of customers recommend Erie

Read more below to get a quote directly from Erie.

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Renata Balasco

Senior Content Strategist

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as licensed insurance professional and content strategist.…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5 years of experience in the insurance industry
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Tara Stumpf

Manager

Tara joined The Zebra in 2025, bringing 18 years of marketing and public relations experience with fintech and insurance brands. She specializes in c…

Credentials
  • 18+ years of experience in the fintech & insurance industries
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Beth Swanson

Insurance Analyst

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Associate in Insurance (AINS)
  • Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)

Erie Insurance: A solid choice for most shoppers

Erie stands out for its consistently high customer satisfaction and strong claims service—two areas where many insurers struggle. It offers a wide range of coverage options, a solid set of discounts, and some of the lowest average premiums in the industry.

The biggest catch? Erie is only available in a limited number of states (Washington D.C., Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia). Still, its reputation more than makes up for its pitfalls, earning it a solid rating from The Zebra.

What customers like:
  • Market Stability and Longevity: Established history suggests reliable long-term coverage.

  • Ease of Filing a Claim: Multiple filing options make submitting claims simple and quick.

What customers don't like:
  • Integration with Other Platforms: No integration means managing insurance separately from other accounts.

How The Zebra evaluates insurance companies

Rating Explanation Star rating equivalent
Subpar Lowest ranking, suggesting instability or high risk 0-1.9
Fair Somewhat stable but not consistently reliable 2-2.9
Good Generally dependable with moderate stability 3-3.9
Solid Strong, reliable and dependable with minor risks 4-4.4
Exceptional Highest rating, indicating outstanding stability and reliability 4.5-5

Methodology — how The Zebra reviews insurance companies

The team of insurance experts at The Zebra evaluates companies by focusing on customer experience first, with an emphasis on service quality, reliability, and ease of interaction. Unlike previous models, pricing is not scored but is instead presented separately as context for comparison.

Each category has been scored using a combination of our internal customer satisfaction survey results and published scores from reputable organizations such as AM Best and J.D. Power.

  • Service Accessibility & Support Quality (25%): This category measures how easy it is to get help when needed, evaluating factors such as support channel availability (phone, chat, in-person, app), response times, agent knowledge, service hours, and language accessibility.
  • Claims Experience (25%): This category assesses how smoothly the claims process works, considering ease of filing (online, app, or phone), transparency and communication, processing times, and fairness in dispute resolution.
  • Digital Experience & Policy Management (25%): This category evaluates the convenience of managing your policy: this includes mobile app usability, website experience, account management, digital document access, self-service options, and platform integrations
  • Trust & Reliability (25%): This category looks at a company’s overall reliability, measuring financial strength, market stability, regulatory history, communication transparency, and consistency in policy terms.

Price context: Pricing varies significantly based on individual circumstances and risk factors. Customers can evaluate cost-effectiveness based on their specific situation and the service quality scores provided.

How much is Erie car insurance? 

Currently, the national average for a 6-month car insurance policy is $1,084, whereas Erie is about $794.[1]

Average 6-month car insurance premiums
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Updating data...

Company Liability only Full coverage
Erie $272 $794

Source: The Zebra

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.

See how Erie stacks up against competitors →

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Discounts offered at Erie: more options than competitors

Many of the standard discounts typically offered by insurance companies are offered by Erie. It's always smart to look for discounts and cost-cutting programs when you're shopping for new car insurance — explore these potential ways to save some money on a new policy.

purple shield
Pay in full

Pay your annual premium in full to be eligible for this discount.

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Car safety equipment

If your car has safety features like anti-lock brakes, factory-installed airbags, and anti-theft devices, you may qualify for a discount.

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College student

If you're a student who lives away from home and doesn't have access to the insured car(s), the policyholder may be eligible for a discount.

Common discounts offered at Erie
Multiple cars Store your vehicle
Anti-lock brakes Anti-theft devices
Air bags Pay in full
Young Drivers

To learn more about each discount Erie has to offer, see their discounts page.

Compare with other companies

See how Erie stacks up against similar companies

erie logo

Cost: $794 average cost for a six month policy

Customer satisfaction: High

Our take:

  • Only available in 12 states
  • Above Average claims satisfaction
  • Robust and wide ranges of coverage options
allstate logo

Cost: $1,460 for a six month auto policy

Customer satisfaction: High

Our take:

  • Higher prices than Erie
  • Worse customer service scores than Erie
  • Worse bundling options than Erie
state farm logo

Cost: $1,133 average cost for a six-month policy

Customer satisfaction: High

Our take:

  • Higher prices than Erie
  • Worse customer service scores than Erie
  • Similar bundling options than Erie

Erie's customer service & claims experience: Top-tier experience

Customers benefit from Erie's excellent customer service, which combines the efficiency of digital platforms for routine issues with the expertise needed to manage complex claims easily. Transparent communication ensures policyholders are kept informed and confident throughout the entire process.

Thinking about Erie?

See what other drivers are asking

Does Erie offer as many services as bigger companies?

Generally speaking, yes — Erie Insurance is a well-regarded company that offers many of the same core coverages as larger national carriers. That said, each insurer structures policies a little differently, so it’s important to review the fine print before making a switch. Erie offers standard auto…
Jun 10, 2020 Chicago, IL

What is Erie's Rate Lock and will it save me money?

Rate lock doesn’t mean your bill is frozen forever. Erie’s Rate Lock is designed to keep your premium steady at renewal, even if you file a claim or if overall rates in Baltimore rise. That’s a big difference from most insurers, where you can see increases every year no matter how clean your record…
Jun 10, 2020 Baltimore, MD

Are claims with a smaller company like Erie any different from the big names?

Erie generally has a stronger reputation for claims than a lot of national carriers, especially in states like Ohio where they’ve been around for decades. Instead of funneling everything through a giant call center, they often work through local agents and repair shops, which can make the process f…
Jun 10, 2020 Columbus, OH

Erie Customer Survey results

96% of customers recommend Erie

The Zebra conducted a survey across 4,000+ users to gather ratings on major carriers' customer service, claims process, ease of use, and more. See how Erie was rated in individual categories by expanding the section below.[2]

Survey icon
Erie Customer Satisfaction Survey Results

Source: The Zebra

How much will your rates climb after filing a claim with Erie?

No one wants to file a claim, but sometimes it's impossible to avoid. See the table below for some examples of what you could be facing after filing a claim.

Average rates with common claims
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Updating data...

Accident/Violation Avg. 6 Mo. Premium
None $954
One comp claim $1,000
Two comp claims $1,093
At-fault accident - $1000-$2000 $1,259
At-fault accident - greater than $2000 $1,334

Source: The Zebra

Claims process: Expert claims handling

With Erie, policyholders can count on an easy and transparent claims experience, even for complex cases. The company provides consistent and proactive communication every step of the way


Coverage options: Flexible and customizable

Erie provides the traditional coverage suite offered by most insurance companies, as well as a list of coverage options you may add to further customize your policy. Standard coverages include liabilitycollisioncomprehensivemedical payments and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Some custom coverage options from Erie are listed below. 

✔️ ERIE Rate Lock®

✔️ Pet injury coverage 

✔️ First accident forgiveness 

✔️ Auto glass repair

✔️ Roadside assistance


Final thoughts: Is Erie right for you?

Between Erie's excellent scores from third-party organizations, wide array of coverages and discounts, and favorable survey results, policyholders can confidently rely on this insurance carrier. The Zebra believes Erie is an excellent choice for an insurance provider if you live in one of their covered states. Customers can enjoy customizable coverage options and comprehensive online and mobile services at affordable rates with Erie.

Frequently Asked Questions about Erie

Erie offers some of the industry's lowest premiums in several high-risk situations, including drivers with at-fault accidents on their record. High risk drivers might enjoy Erie's Rate Lock feature, allowing you to keep your rates from rising, even if you have a claim.

Yes, ERIE Auto Plus is likely worth it for most drivers because it is inexpensive (under $35/year) and provides valuable benefits like a diminishing deductible, a $10,000 death benefit, and increased coverage for personal items. It is a highly beneficial add-on for drivers seeking extra coverage and rewards for a clean driving record

Full coverage is likely not worth it if your car's value is less than 10 times its annual premium, or if your car's value is less than your deductible. It's also a good time to consider dropping it if you have a clear title and can afford to replace the vehicle out-of-pocket after an accident.

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Sources:
  1. Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool

  2. Anonymized User Survey. The Zebra

  3. 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. J.D. Power

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.