Erie Auto Insurance Review 2024

Erie earned 4 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.

Erie Insurance is a strong choice for insurance. The Erie, Pennsylvania, insurer operates in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and makes most customers happy: Erie gets generally high marks for satisfaction in J.D. Power ratings ^[0]

» MORE: The best car insurance companies

Where Erie stands out

Erie offers a multitude of coverage types to choose from, including new car replacement coverage, gap insurance, rideshare insurance and more. You can also lock in your rate until you make changes to your policy, like adding a vehicle or moving.

If you add comprehensive coverage to your policy, you’ll get extra perks that other insurers charge more for, including glass repair with no deductible, locksmith service up to $75, personal items coverage up to $350 and basic rental car insurance.

Erie ranked high in J.D. Power’s 2023 surveys for auto insurance shopping and claims satisfaction ^[0]

Where Erie falls short

Erie has close to the expected number of complaints to state regulators for an insurance company of its size. The company also doesn’t have as many discounts as other car insurance companies.

Erie also has limited state availability, writing auto insurance policies in 12 states and Washington, D.C.

Compare to other insurers

Erie auto insurance coverage

When you're shopping for car insurance coverage, it's important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. For instance, most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive a vehicle. Alternatively, if you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Read about the most common types of car insurance coverage to see how they work.

Auto insurance policies from Erie Insurance include extras that may not be available in every state, such as:

• Accident forgiveness. This prevents you from facing a surcharge after your first at-fault accident once you’ve been an Erie customer for three years.

• Pet injury coverage. This provides up to $500 each for veterinary care for pets injured in your vehicle in an accident, up to $1,000 total.

• Rate lock. This lets you lock in your auto insurance rates until you add or remove drivers, add or remove vehicles, change where you generally park your car or move. It's limited to three years in Virginia.

• Diminishing deductible. This reduces your deductible by $100 for every consecutive year you don’t file a claim, up to $500.

If you buy comprehensive auto insurance, Erie throws in more perks:

• Glass repair with no deductible and a new set of wiper blades if your windshield is replaced.

• Locksmith service of up to $75 if you lock your keys in your car.

• Personal items coverage of up to $350 for clothing, luggage and other belongings inside an insured vehicle. Auto policies typically don’t cover personal items in the car. This extra is also available with Erie’s collision insurance.

• Better car replacement coverage pays to replace a new car that has been deemed a total loss after a wreck and has been driven for less than two years with the car’s newest available model. Policyholders also need to buy collision coverage to qualify for this benefit.

Erie’s Auto Plus package, for $35 a year or less, adds an assortment of benefits, some of which vary by state:

• Extra days of rental car coverage after an accident.

• Higher limits for some coverage, including locksmith costs and personal items.

• Waived deductible on your auto policy for certain instances.

• A death benefit of $10,000 per person if someone dies from a covered accident.

Erie also offers additional auto insurance options like:

• New car replacement. If you have a car up to 24 months old and it’s totaled, Erie will replace it with a new car of the current model year, minus the deductible. This isn’t available in every state.

• Better car replacement. If your car is at least 24 months old and is totaled, this coverage will pay for a car of the same make and model two years newer, minus the deductible. This coverage isn’t available in every state.

• Gap insurance. If your car is totaled, this coverage will pay off your auto loan.

• Generous rental car coverage and options. Most auto insurers offer rental car coverage at an extra cost, so you have a way to get around if your car is in the shop for covered damage. Erie includes the basic coverage free in its comprehensive coverage, but you can pay for upgraded rental options, such as a luxury car or SUV instead of a sedan.

• Rideshare coverage. If you drive for a service like Uber or Lyft, the companies’ policies cover you while you’re carrying passengers or en route to pick them up, but not while you’re waiting for ride requests. Erie’s rideshare insurance for drivers covers that gap. Rideshare coverage may not be available in all states.

You can also buy an auto security package from Erie that includes new car replacement, better car replacement and gap insurance.

» MORE: Compare car insurance rates 

Auto insurance discounts

Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for discounts for:

• Insuring more than one vehicle.

• Having Erie home or life insurance in addition to auto coverage.

• Not using your car for at least 90 consecutive days.

• Having safety features like air bags, anti-theft devices and anti-lock brakes.

• Paying your full premium upfront.

• Being unmarried and living with your parents if you’re under 21.

• Staying accident-free.

• Being a loyal Erie customer. After three years with Erie, you’ll qualify for their first accident forgiveness program, which ensures your premium won’t go up after your first at-fault accident.

Pricing based on tracked driving habits

Erie’s YourTurn app tracks driving habits like braking, accelerating, speeding and phone use while driving. Although you won’t receive a car insurance discount, you’ll get rewards in the app based on how safely you drive. These rewards can be redeemed for gift cards or charity donations. This isn't available in all states.

Erie life insurance

Erie’s life insurance choices include term, whole and universal policies, though none is available in New York. Term life insurance is available for terms of 10, 15, 20 and 30 years. Up to $500,000 of coverage is available without a medical exam and has a quicker approval process.

Some of Erie’s whole life insurance policies allow you to add an accelerated death benefit, which can help pay for long-term care if you’re critically ill or can no longer care for yourself.

» MORE: The best life insurance companies

Complaints and customer satisfaction

Erie had close to the expected number of complaints about auto insurance to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. However, it had fewer than the expected number of complaints for home and life insurance.

More about Erie auto insurance 

Website: Erie’s website is handy. You can get an auto quote, find an agent, pay your bill, access your account, file a claim and locate a repair shop.

Mobile app: Erie has a smartphone app for managing your policy.

Erie homeowners and renters insurance

Erie offers homeowners insurance and renters insurance. To learn more, read our Erie home insurance review and Erie renters insurance review.

Other insurance from Erie 

Erie offers other insurance such as:

• Renters, condo and mobile home insurance.

• Motorcycle insurance.

• Umbrella insurance.

• Classic car insurance.

• Insurance for snowmobiles, mopeds, golf carts and all-terrain vehicles and recreational vehicles.

• Boat insurance.

• Identity theft recovery and fraud reimbursement.

• Business insurance.

• Medicare supplement insurance.

• Landlord insurance.

Erie also offers retirement planning products like annuities and traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts. (Annuities from Erie aren’t available in New York).