Offering robust coverage options, a suite of insurance products and positive customer ratings, Erie could be a solid choice if you reside in one of the company's covered locations. More tech-savvy customers may want to look elsewhere.
If you live in a state in which Erie provides coverage, the company could be an excellent option. Erie offers an extensive array of additional features, endorsements and add-ons that can boost a basic policy to extend your coverage and limits for extra peace of mind. Combined with superior financial strength, a great rating from J.D. Power, and a history of exceptional customer service and claims satisfaction, Erie is a trusted insurance company that can satisfy common coverage needs.
Their Rate Lock tool helps Erie stand out among its competitors, ensuring premiums are locked in unless a policy change is made. While its strengths lie in these categories, Erie lacks widespread coverage areas — as it is still only available in 12 states.
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.5/5: Erie ranked second in the overall auto carrier category of The Zebra's customer satisfaction survey. Erie also placed in the top three for ease, claims satisfaction, customer service and trust.
Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Excellent: Erie earned stellar ratings in the J.D. Power 2021 Claims Satisfaction Study.
Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Above average: J.D. Power rated Erie as above-average in its 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study.
Financial strength — Superior: This rating, from AM Best, indicates Erie has a reliable ability to pay out claims thanks to its solid financial standing.
NAIC Rating — Excellent: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received significantly fewer customer complaints than average regarding Erie in 2020.
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 the following:
Collision: Covers physical damage your car sustains in a collision.
Comprehensive: Covers non-collision physical damage to your vehicle. When paired with collision, it is often referred to as full coverage.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Covers your vehicle if you are hit by a driver who isn't carrying sufficient coverage (not available in all states).
Liability: Liability insurance coverage protects other drivers from bodily injury or property damage you might cause in an at-fault accident.
Bodily injury: This covers costs related to injuries or deaths caused by the accident.
Property damage: Covers damages to another driver's car or any other property you damage in an accident.
Medical payments: Typically an optional coverage, this goes toward paying for health costs associated with those in your vehicle during an accident.
Additional Erie Insurance coverage options
If your insurance needs exceed the standard coverages above, you may be interested in adding on one or more optional coverages offered by Erie. Custom coverage options are listed below.
First accident forgiveness
This accident forgiveness endorsement will waive the surcharges in your first at-fault accident if you've been an Erie customer for three or more years.
New and used car replacement
If your new car is totaled in a collision and is less than two years old, Erie will pay to replace it with the newest comparable model after your deductible kicks in. If you've had your car for over two years and it gets totaled, Erie will replace it with a comparable model that's two years newer. This coverage is known as new car replacement.
Auto glass repair
No matter your driving history, cracks and chips in your car's windshield can happen even to the best drivers. This optional coverage will repair or replace your car's damaged windshield and windows without a deductible.
Roadside assistance and rental car bundle
Erie conveniently bundles roadside assistance and rental car coverage in this option, so you're covered in the event your car has mechanical or operational issues on the road, or you need a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired after a collision.
Locksmith services
If you accidentally lock your keys in your car and require the services of a locksmith, Erie will cover this expense up to $75 as a part of physical damage coverage.
Personal item coverage
Erie's physical damage coverage also applies to losses of personal items that were in the insured car up to a $350 limit.
Pet coverage
This unique built-in feature covers veterinarian expenses up to $500 per pet (total limit of $1,000) if your pet is injured in an accident while riding in your car.
ERIE Rate Lock®
This endorsement "locks in" your rate until you add or remove a driver or vehicle on your policy or change the address where your car is regularly parked. Even if you file a claim, this feature preserves your rate until changes are made to your policy.
ERIE Auto Plus®
You can bolster your basic Erie policy with additional protection and increased limits with this add-on. Some highlight features include a vanishing deductible, $10,000 death benefit, additional days in your rental car/transportation expense coverage, waived deductible in certain situations, and increased limits for specific coverages.
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Erie auto insurance discounts
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.
Discounts based on your policy
Multi-policy discount:Bundle your life or homeowners insurance with your auto insurance policy to receive a discount.
Discounts based on the driver or vehicle
Multi-car: Insure two or more cars in the same policy to qualify for some savings.
Safe driver: Your good driving history can be rewarded with a discount on your coverage.
Reduced usage: You may be eligible for a discount if your car will not be used for at least 90 consecutive days during the policy period.
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.
Pay in full: Pay your annual premium in full to be eligible for this discount.
Discounts for young drivers
Youthful driver: Qualify for this discount if you're an unmarried driver under age 21 who resides with your parents.
Youthful longevity: Receive credit for the consecutive years spent on another Erie policy (likely your parents') if you're an unmarried young driver.
Driver training: Complete an accredited driver training course to see this discount if you're a driver under age 21.
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.
Erie insurance mobile app
Available for iOS and Android download, the Erie mobile app makes it easy to securely access your policy information. Erie customers can use the application to make payments, view billing activity, or view and share policy documents as needed.
The Erie app allows users to stay up-to-date on the status of their claims and to easily contact their insurance agent.
In addition to car insurance, Erie offers a host of other products that can be bundled together for your convenience. In order to qualify for the multi-policy discount, you must enroll in another insurance line in addition to your auto policy.
Erie homeowners insurance offers a wide variety of homeowners coverage options. Where standard homeowners policies require endorsements for select features, Erie offers basic coverage with appealing add-ons like gift card replacement, pet coverage and guaranteed replacement cost.
While Erie's strengths lie in its range of coverage options and extra features, it lacks in technology. The company offers no mobile app for homeowners policies, which contributes to its Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey rating falling short of the full 5 stars Erie's auto insurance product achieved.
A unique characteristic of Erie’s homeowners policies is the company's Guaranteed Replacement Cost feature. Replacement cost pays the full cost to rebuild or repair without accounting for depreciation. Standard homeowners insurance policies replace or repair structures and belongings on an actual cash value basis, which takes wear and tear and depreciation into account, decreasing the amount returned to your wallet.
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey – 4.5/5: Erie placed second in the overall home carrier category of The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey.
JD Power Rating – Above average: JD Power rates Erie home insurance as above average in overall customer satisfaction (in fact, it was the second-highest rated company on their list).
Financial Strength – Superior: An A+ rating from AM Best indicates Erie has a reliable ability to pay out claims.
NAIC rating – Excellent: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received fewer customer complaints than average regarding Erie homeowners insurance in 2020.
Where is Erie home insurance available?
Erie home insurance is not available everywhere. As a regional insurance company, Erie provides coverage options in the following states:
Water backup and sump overflow — Erie's water backup coverage option offers protection in the event of sewer, drain or sump pump issues.
Personal liability — Add this coverage to protect you from personal liability claims if you hurt someone or their property.
Identity recovery — This coverage helps you recover if you fall victim to identity theft or fraud.
Service line protection — Covers damage to underground service and utility lines from your house to the curb.
Erie homeowners insurance discounts
Fire, burglary alarm, sprinkler system credit — If your home has smoke alarms, burglar alarms or an automatic sprinkler system, you qualify for this discount.
Advanced quote discount — Save money by getting an insurance quote between 7 and 60 days before your policy renews.
Multi-policy discount — Save on your auto and home insurance policies by bundling them with a qualified life insurance policy.
How much does Erie home insurance cost?
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Rate
Erie
$86
AAA
$101
Allstate
$116
Progressive
$145
Farmers
$155
Nationwide
$119
State Farm
$122
Weigh your options and get the best value from your next insurance policy.
The Zebra conducted a survey with the intention of understanding carriers from a customer's perspective. We asked how each major carrier held up in online experience, claims satisfaction, ease of use, customer service, trustworthiness, and willingness to recommend. Erie came highly rated in several categories, consistently placing in the top three in each query, aside from online experience. These results indicate that Erie insurance is an excellent choice for customers who value positive customer service and ease of use, but those who prefer a more digital-first company may want to look elsewhere.
Homeowners insurance
Among the 15 carriers included in the survey, Erie ranked relatively low for homeowners policies in all categories. Male policyholders expressed greater satisfaction with Erie homeowners insurance than did females: Erie homeowners insurance ranked number one for men in several categories.
Survey methodology
Findings are based on an online quantitative survey of 4,134 current U.S. auto and home insurance customers, with Census-balanced sampling by age, gender and region. Categories with n=<20 responses are considered insufficient sample size and are not reported. This survey was developed by The Zebra and executed by independent research firm Maru/Blue in 2021.
Survey highlights
Erie was among the best-reviewed car insurance companies by both Millenials and Boomers.
Respondents 75 years of age and older ranked Erie first for customer service.
Customer satisfaction was low for Erie's online products across age groups, gender and education levels, perhaps due to the company's limited mobile app.
Erie auto insurance was ranked second by homeowners but only eighth by renters.
Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as licensed insurance professional and content strategist. Her expertise in property and casualty insurance informs her work in creating expert home and auto insurance guides to educate shoppers.
Renata previously worked as a content specialist for Lifespan, the largest hospital system in the state of Rhode Island. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French Language and Communications from The University of Rhode Island.
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 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.
