Erie Auto Insurance: Good Or Bad?

Erie Insurance is a good option for those looking for a car insurance policy. The company has earned 9.4 out of 10 stars and is deemed the Best for Basic Insurance Coverage thanks to its coverage options and low average costs. It is the 19th largest casualty and property insurer in the U.S. and offers policies in Washington, D.C., and 12 states across the Eastern and Central U.S.

Erie Insurance has mixed reviews, but it can provide affordable rates and a wide variety of coverage to drivers in eastern and central states. The company offers many discounts to cut costs further. Erie also has excellent customer satisfaction ratings for both service and claims, which are much higher than average.

Erie's customer service

Erie Insurance has received mixed reviews for its customer service. While some customers have praised the company for its quick response to claims, friendly agents, and overall satisfaction, others have criticised it for issues with filing claims and dealing with repair shops.

Erie Insurance has been recognised for its high customer satisfaction ratings, ranking second highest for mid-size insurance companies in the J.D. Power 2023 customer satisfaction survey. The company also scored well above average in the J.D. Power 2023 claims satisfaction survey, even outperforming some of the largest insurance companies in the industry.

Erie Insurance's customer complaint index is also extremely low, at 0.09 compared to the average of 1.

However, despite these positive ratings, some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the company's claims process and repair shop dealings. One customer review on MarketWatch mentions issues with filing claims, while another on U.S. News expresses being only "very likely" to recommend Erie to someone else.

Overall, while Erie Insurance has received recognition for its customer service, there are still some mixed reviews, with some customers encountering issues during their claims journey.

Erie's rates

Erie Insurance offers a range of discounts and opportunities to lower your rate. The company provides affordable car insurance with plenty of opportunities to reduce and avoid increases to your car insurance costs while maintaining quality coverage.

Safe driving discount

Safe drivers with a good driving record are eligible for a discount on their auto coverage.

Car safety equipment discounts

You can save on your insurance coverage if your car is equipped with safety equipment like factory-installed airbags, passive restraint, anti-theft devices, and anti-lock brakes.

Multi-car discount

If Erie insures two or more of your cars, you could qualify for a discount.

Multi-policy discount

A discount is available if you have a qualifying life insurance policy or home policy in addition to your Erie auto insurance.

Reduced usage discount

If you don’t use your car for at least 90 consecutive days during the policy period, you could be eligible for a discount on your car insurance.

Young drivers discount

Unmarried drivers under 21 who reside with their parents may be eligible for additional savings on their car insurance.

Annual payment plan discount

You can save by paying your auto premium in one lump sum.

Erie Rate Lock

With the Erie Rate Lock feature, your rates will only change if you add or remove a vehicle or a driver, or change the address where you keep your car parked routinely.

Erie's claims handling

Erie Insurance has a clear, four-step process for handling claims.

Firstly, customers can start an auto insurance claim by contacting their local Erie agent or calling Erie Insurance at (800) 367-3743. This line is open 24/7. Erie encourages customers to get in touch as soon as possible after an accident, no matter how large or small.

Secondly, once a customer has filed their claim, an Erie claims adjuster will get in touch to review the accident details and the customer's auto insurance coverage. The customer will need to provide their insurance policy number, the insured person's name as it appears on the policy, and the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of their agent and claims handler. The adjuster will then review the accident details and the customer's auto insurance coverage.

Thirdly, the customer will review car repair options with their claims adjuster. Erie has several car repair options to help get customers back on the road, including their Direct Repair program, which consists of a network of qualified businesses that will estimate damages, share their estimate with Erie, and then make the repairs.

Finally, the insurance claim is settled. Most claims are settled quickly, but the timeframe depends on the nature of the accident. For instance, a minor fender bender will be processed faster than a claim involving multiple cars, property damage, and injuries. Customers can work with their favourite mechanic or one recommended by Erie.

Erie's customer loyalty

Erie Insurance has a strong customer loyalty base, with more than 90% of customers staying with the company year after year. The company has been in business since 1925 and has consistently provided customers with the protection they need and the service they expect at a great price.

Erie Insurance has received numerous positive testimonials from customers, who have praised the company for its quick response time when making a claim, its focus on delivering rather than on clever advertising campaigns, and its wonderful customer service. Many customers have also expressed their satisfaction with Erie's handling of their claims, describing the process as easy, efficient, and pleasant.

Erie Insurance has also been recognised for its excellent customer satisfaction ratings, ranking second highest in the J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey for mid-size insurance companies, with a score of 878 out of 855. The company also scored well above average in the J.D. Power claims satisfaction survey, outscoring even some of the largest insurance companies in the industry, with a score of 893 out of 873.

In addition, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has reported extremely low customer complaint rates for Erie Insurance, with a score of 0.09 compared to the average of 1. This indicates that Erie Insurance has one of the lowest complaint rates in the industry.

Overall, Erie Insurance's strong customer loyalty can be attributed to its competitive pricing, high-quality service, efficient claims handling, and commitment to meeting the needs and expectations of its customers.

Erie's coverage options

Erie Insurance offers a wide range of coverage options for its customers. The company provides all standard types of car insurance, including property damage liability, bodily injury liability, collision insurance, and comprehensive coverage. In addition, Erie offers several unique features that set it apart from its competitors.

One notable feature is their Accident Forgiveness policy, which prevents customers from facing a surcharge after their first at-fault accident once they've been with the company for three years. They also offer Pet Injury Coverage, providing up to $500 per pet for veterinary care if your pet is injured in an accident, with a total limit of $1,000.

Erie's Rate Lock feature allows customers to lock in their auto insurance rates, ensuring that their rates won't change until they make specific changes to their policy, such as adding or removing a vehicle or driver, or changing their address. The company also offers a Diminishing Deductible, which reduces your deductible by $100 for each consecutive year you don't file a claim, up to a maximum of $500.

Erie's comprehensive coverage includes additional perks such as glass repair with no deductible, locksmith services up to $75, and personal items coverage up to $350 for items inside an insured vehicle. They also offer Better Car Replacement coverage, which will replace your totaled car with a model two years newer.

Erie's Auto Plus package provides additional benefits, including extra days of rental car coverage, higher limits for certain coverages, and a death benefit of $10,000 per person in the event of a covered accident.

The company also offers add-on coverage options like New Car Replacement, Gap Insurance, and Rideshare Insurance for drivers working for companies like Uber or Lyft.

Overall, Erie Insurance provides a comprehensive range of coverage options and add-ons to meet the diverse needs of its customers.

Frequently asked questions