• Contact our agency, or
• Call one of ERIE’s offices.

To contact a local ERIE office:
• In Hagerstown, call (800) 533-5602
• In Silver Spring, call (800) 492-2709
• In the District of Columbia, call (800) 492-2709

Other residents can find the toll-free phone numbers on Erie Insurance’s Web site. You can also file a claim online.

ERIE offers 24/7 support. On evenings and weekends, call (800) 367-3743.

What about insurance for your new wheels? Have you contacted your local ERIE Agent?

Here are several reasons why you should consider ERIE for your auto insurance. If you’re already a Customer, this list also helps confirm you’ve made the best choice for coverage.
•ERIE Rate LockSM – Accidents happen. Rate increases don’t have to. With ERIE Rate Lock, your rate stays the same until you add or remove a vehicle from your policy, add or remove a driver, or change the address where you garage your car.1 Traffic tickets, fender benders, not even scheduled rate changes will impact your rate, unless you meet one of those three criteria. (Not available in North Carolina, Maryland and New York. Rate Lock is also limited to three years in Virginia.)
•Diminishing deductible – How’s this for an “anniversary gift?” For each consecutive claims-free policy year that you’re insured with ERIE, we’ll reduce your deductible by $100 – up to $500. See, it does pay to be a good role model. It’s available through ERIE’s Auto Enhancement Endorsement. (In Pennsylvania, the deductible cannot be reduced to less than $100.)
•First accident forgiveness – Others talk about first accident forgiveness as if it were the hottest new thing. ERIE has offered it since 1991. And best of all, we’ll guarantee that your auto policy won’t be surcharged the first time you’re in an “at-fault’ accident. It’s available to Customers who have been with ERIE for at least three years.
•Total car replacement – ERIE will pay to replace your car if it is two years old or less2 and is a total loss. It’s available through the New Auto Security Coverage Endorsement in conjunction with the purchase of both collision and comprehensive coverage. (It’s not available in New York and North Carolina.)
•A premium on loyalty – When you reward ERIE with your continued business, the company will repay you with a special feature. After your auto insurance policy has been continuously in force for 15 years with ERIE, it will not be surcharged for an “at-fault” accident again.3
•More than a dozen ways to save – Are you a safe driver? Do you have more than one policy with ERIE? There are more than a dozen discounts to take advantage of, and also more than 30 features are included in your auto policy at no additional charge or premium.4
•Agents that go the extra mile – ERIE Agents take pride in what they do to protect and serve you. When it comes time to file a claim, ERIE Agents are on the case. And ERIE’s trained adjusters will work to settle your claim quickly and fairly.
•Getting back on the road. Fast. We appreciate how important your car is to your daily routine, so you can depend on our agency and ERIE to get you up and running as conveniently as possible. Sure, ERIE has a Web site and convenient toll-free number to call, but what really makes the difference is the people. We’re not satisfied unless you’re completely satisfied.

Get a 12-month auto insurance quote online or contact our agency for more information about ERIE’s coverage options.

To qualify for inclusion, companies must excel within their own industry and also stand out among leading brands in 15 major industries evaluated by J.D. Power.

“It’s always an honor for us to be recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for customer service excellence,” said Terrence Cavanaugh, president and CEO of Erie Insurance. “Receiving this distinction alongside other great brands known for their customer service is especially gratifying. It affirms our long-held commitment to delivering superior service to our customers.”

To identify the 2012 Customer Service Champions, J.D. Power evaluated more than 800 brands. The 2012 Champions were identified based on customer feedback, opinions, and perceptions gathered primarily from J.D. Power’s syndicated research in 2011. This group of 50 represents the highest-performing U.S. companies that deliver service excellence—both within their respective industry and across all industries measured.

The fndings are summarized in a special report, “Beyond Satisfaction: J.D. Power 2012 Customer Service Champions.”

If there is one thing you can count on, it’s that life changes. Time seems to go by faster each day and it can be difficult to remember to update your insurance to meet your ever changing needs.

Here are some questions to help you determine if you need to evaluate your insurance coverage:

Have you recently married or divorced? Whether you are merging or separating households, you’ll need to update your insurance including auto insurance, homeowners insurance, and life insurance. Some changes could entitle you to discounts, like a multi-car discount on auto insurance.

Have you had a baby? If you’ve had a recent birth or adoption you will want to review your life insurance policy to plan for living and education expenses.

Have you changed jobs or had a significant salary change? Changes in your job are very important events to review with your insurance agent. If you’ve had a salary increase, you may need to increase life insurance. If you’ve lost a job or had a salary decrease, you may need to replace lost coverage or decrease premiums.

Has your teenager become recently licensed? This can be a scary thought for some parents! It is important to report new drivers to your insurance agent. While rates for teenagers are typically higher than adults, there are discounts available for driver’s training courses and you could qualify for multi-car discounts if you’ve added a new vehicle.

Have you made significant renovations to your home? This is something many homeowners over look. Renovations to the home such as an addition could increase the value of your home. In addition, new possessions inside the home such as big screen TVs may increase the amount of insurance needed.

Are you thinking about buying a retirement or vacation home? Consult with your insurance agent before you decide to buy. Review your insurance needs, considering any special risk that could go along with the property.

Have you inherited or purchased new valuables? If you’ve inherited or purchased valuables such as jewelry, electronic equipment, fine art, or antiques, you may need additional insurance. An inland marine policy can provide protection for personal items and valuables.

Have you signed a lease on a house or an apartment? If you are renting a home or an apartment, you’ll need a renters insurance policy to protect your possessions.

Have you joined a carpool? If you’re a carpool driver, you’ll want to make sure your auto insurance policy covers the increased liability of added passengers. If the carpool has decreased the amount you’re driving, you may be able to decrease your auto insurance premiums.

Have you recently retired? If you’ve retired from your job, you’ll want to talk with your insurance agent to review your insurance. You may be able to decrease some premiums such as auto insurance if your yearly mileage has decreased. If you had a life insurance policy with your employer, you may need to replace lost coverage.

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, you may need to update your insurance. Contact Mike Thomas at Lighthouse Insurance to evaluate your insurance coverage and make sure you have the coverage you need.

From minicars and sedans to SUVs and pickups, you’ll find hundreds of 2012 models deemed safe by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Each year the nonprofit research and education organization determines which vehicles do the best job of protecting people in four of the most common kinds of crashes — front, side, rollover and rear — based on ratings in Institute evaluations. The ratings help shoppers pick vehicles that offer the highest levels of crash protection.

Every major automaker has at least one winner that earned the Institute’s esteemed Top Safety Pick award. Among the 115 award winners, there are 18 new recipients this year, while 97 models that previously qualified for the 2011 award carry over to 2012.

The Winners’ Circle
Here’s a breakdown of some of this year’s qualifiers:

•The Toyota Camry earned its first-ever Top Safety Pick. Last year, the Camry missed the mark because of a marginal rating for seat/head restraints. Camry is a top-selling midsize car in the U.S. market.
•Subaru remains the only manufacturer with the distinction of earning awards for every model it builds. Subaru picked up five awards, including one for the redesigned Impreza, a small car.
•Ten of the 18 new winners are Honda/Acura models, including the midsize Accord, a top U.S. seller, which previously won the 2009 award but has been missing from the list since then. The manufacturer upgraded the roofs on the 10 models to improve rollover protection.
•Toyota/Lexus/Scion has 15 winners this year, more than any other auto manufacturer.
•General Motors has 14 winners, followed by Volkswagen/Audi with 13, and Ford/Lincoln and Honda/Acura with 12 awards apiece.
•The winning green models include Toyota’s Prius v, the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf.

For more information about the Top Safety Pick awards and the winning models, go to iihs.org. If you have questions about about insurance coverage for a new vehicle, contact us for a quote.

No restaurant owner wants to see anyone get hurt on the job: not only is it awful to see a coworker hurt, but it can affect your business and can also lead to a costly workers’ compensation claim.

Here are a few ways to reduce your workers’ injuries — and your costs:

•Get training: Take the extra time to train your employees in the safest way to do their jobs. Maybe it’s a way of carrying trays to avoid back injuries, or maybe it’s how to use that shiny new meat grinder properly. Regardless of the job, a little extra training can prevent extra injuries.

•Get smart: Keep a record of where and when injuries occur. Is there a loose mat in the kitchen that causes slips, or are there frequent burn injuries? You may see a physical problem that needs fixing, or an area where more training is needed.

•Get covered: An Erie Insurance Employee Liability and Workers’ Compensation policy covers employees’ costs in the case of injury and will even help you settle cases and defend you in court.

Erie Insurance can also help keep the heart and soul of your restaurant safe. ERIE’s risk control consultants can help you perform a safety audit, recommend training, help with accident investigation and generally make your life easier.

While no one can put a price on sentimental value, insuring your jewelry will keep it financially protected if it is lost or stolen.

Most homeowners and renters insurance policies include coverage for expensive personal belongings like jewelry. But many policies limit the dollar amount for theft, so you may want to purchase an additional rider to expand the coverage on the policy. It is always good practice to review your policy whenever you purchase new, expensive items.

If you are an Erie Insurance Customer, you probably have a $3,000 limitation for theft of personal items such as jewelry. If you own jewelry, watches, furs or precious stones, and any one item is valued at more than $3,000, you may want to purchase additional coverage or add a personal inland marine rider to the policy.

The name “inland marine” is an old-fashioned term dating back to the 19th century shipping industry. The name described insurance coverage for ship cargo in transit (cargo moving inland from ships to barges, wagons, trains and other vehicles). Now, the insurance term describes coverage that helps protects jewelry or specific property (already on land).

Insurance Coverage Options
Erie Insurance offers various options to protect your valuables. Those choices include:

•Purchasing expanded policy coverage. For an additional premium (the amount paid for coverage), you can increase your coverage limits for each theft loss from $3,000 to $5,000 or $10,000. With this option, you would still be limited to claiming $3,000 for any single item and your homeowners deductible would apply. If you have any items valued over $3,000, ask us about scheduling insurance, which lists a specific item on your policy. Keep in mind that ERIE’s coverage varies by state. Our agency can review the options in more detail with you.

•Purchasing a personal inland marine policy. You can add an endorsement to an existing home insurance policy or purchase a separate personal inland marine policy for expensive items such as jewelry, furs, watches or precious stones. This type of policy provides broad coverage, including theft, misplacement or losing a valuable item. The policy can be purchased with no deductible; or, for a lower premium, a deductible can be applied.

Protecting Your Jewelry
Whenever you purchase an item with considerable value like jewelry, you should:

•Check your insurance coverage.

•Have the item or gift appraised. This can help in establishing the value of the item. If the jewelry is an antique or was purchased several years ago, it will need to be appraised for a dollar value.

•Keep your store receipt with your home inventory records and take a picture of the item. Photos and documentation will help speed up the claims process if you have to file a claim.

•Store the item in a secure location. If it is something that you don’t use on a regular basis, you may want to consider keeping it in a safe deposit box.

To find out how much coverage you have and what additional coverage you may need, contact our agency.

1. You’re remodeling or building an addition to your property. When you hire the contractor, request a certificate of insurance to confirm their liability and workers’ compensation coverages. Review the certificate and your homeowners policy with our agency. In some cases, remodeling projects can increase your home’s reconstruction cost.

2. Your teen starts driving. If a teenager in your home is learning how to drive, that means you’ll soon need to help them purchase insurance. We can guide you through the process, find the best way to add them to your policy and provide materials about safe driving behavior.

3. You got a new job. If you have accepted a position and the work commute is shorter or longer, call us. A significant change in annual mileage could warrant a change in your auto policy. (And that could save or cost you money.)

4. You bought a new ride. If you’ve purchased or leased a new or used vehicle, your insurance policy needs to be updated. Car dealers are required by law to confirm insurance coverage, but only you can make the necessary changes to your policy to make sure you’re fully protected.

5. You’re saving a buck with refinancing. When you’re taking advantage of lower interest rates by refinancing your home or vehicle, your policy should be updated to reflect any new mortgagee or lienholder.

6. Your family’s growing and changing. When you get married or welcome a new baby to the family, the new responsibilities may warrant a change in your home, auto and life insurance coverage.

7. You’ve bought a little luxury. When you purchase valuables such as a diamond ring or a rare piece of art, you should contact your agent. Your homeowners policy covers personal belongings and furnishings, but higher-valued items may have coverage limitations. An endorsement may be advisable for more costly or unusual items.

8. You’ve decided to work from home. If you’re starting a business out of your house, let us know. Depending on the equipment and the nature of your work, an endorsement or separate policy may be necessary to protect your investment and liability exposures.

9. It’s time to retire. Ready to kick back and relax? We can help you maximize the benefits of your retirement plan with a life insurance program.*

No matter what you’re considering, contact our agency. We will assist you with life, auto or home insurance policy changes and insurance needs.*

People First

Keeping your employees safe and healthy is good for your business. To do that:
•Offer prevention and wellness activities
•Have options in place so injured employees can receive immediate treatment
•Consistently search for and eliminate workplace hazards
•Offer early intervention and rehabilitation programs for drug and alcohol abuse and mental health problems
•Make free flu shots available

A Safe Environment  

Heavy equipment, electrical hazards, even keyboards can pose health threats to your employees. For a safer workplace environment:
•Conduct routine maintenance and housekeeping measures
•Frequently check for proper ergonomic conditions
•Check all equipment for unsafe wear and tear
•Educate workers on identifying hazards and risks
•Make sure employees wear necessary protective equipment
•Create and rehearse a worksite disaster plan
•Control and eliminate toxic chemical use where you can
•Make your workplace smoke-free

From the Top 

Safety starts with a company’s leadership. To establish and communicate your vision, mission, policies and trust:
•Keep confidential medical information protected
•Offer educational programs to improve health and safety
•Thoroughly analyze accidents for prevention
•Have a zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence
•Offer access to cost effective health care benefit programs
•Begin an employee assistance program

If you have any employees, most states require you to have an active workers compensation policy to insure coverage for those employees against a workplace injury. In most cases, the owners of a sole-proprietorship or a partner in a partnership are not considered employees and have the option whether to cover themselves or not.