Insurance Tips
Erie Insurance offers four competitive bundles - Basic, Advantage, Plus & Select. Check out the video below to learn about some of the key coverages included.
For more information or to find out which bundle is included in your policy, call (410) 529-6354!
When it comes time to rent a car, here are two common questions that customers often ask us:
Do I need to buy the insurance offered by rental car companies?
If I am in a car accident and need to rent a car, am I covered?
Let’s find out the answers.
You’re standing at the rental car counter and the person helping you asks if you want to buy insurance through them. Do you need it? Ultimately, it’s up to you but in most cases, you probably don’t, as your personal auto insurance should have you covered for liability claims, but your ERIE Agent can tell you for sure. Additionally, If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, you may also be covered for damage to the rental car.
Auto insurance from Erie Insurance is designed to suitably protect you and your family for incidental use of a car that’s not your own, such as a short-term rental of less than 45 days. The coverage extends to cars in the U.S. or Canada. That said, it’s a good idea to check with an insurance adviser beforehand since auto policies vary from person to person.
Here are a few questions to ask your agent about insurance and rental car coverage:
Q: When I rent a car for a combined business trip and a personal vacation, am I covered?
A: Your personal auto policy may not cover you, but your employer’s insurance might.
Q: If more than one person is driving the rental car, am I covered?
A: Your auto insurance likely only covers individuals that are on your policy, such as spouse or kids. So, in this scenario, coverage from the rental company could be a good idea.
Q: If my luggage, purse or personal possessions are stolen out of my rental car, am I covered?
A: Maybe. This depends on the details of your individual auto policy. In many cases, personal property may be covered by a homeowners or rental insurance policy, but not by your auto insurance. It may be worth asking an associate from the rental company what their policy is regarding personal property stolen from their vehicles.
Another option to consider: Many credit card companies offer rental car insurance if you pay the rental fee using their card. Just know that this coverage typically only covers physical damage to the rental car, so you’ll still need separate liability coverage. Get in touch with your credit card company to ask for details.
With liability coverage, there are a few things you should consider. Most states have a required minimum amount of liability coverage, which rental car companies are required by law to offer, but that still may not give you enough protection. If you have personal auto insurance and have opted for higher liability limits, you’ll be better protected.
If your car needs to be in the shop for a while after an accident, you may need to rent a car. Most auto insurance policies offer rental reimbursement coverage for a nominal extra charge, but sometimes auto insurance shoppers skip adding it to their policies.
With ERIE, basic rental car coverage is automatically included in most states if you’ve purchased comprehensive coverage. That means if your car is disabled because of a fire, theft, glass damage or another comprehensive type claim that may be covered under your policy, you’re covered for a compact sedan rental car. If you need a bigger rental vehicle, you could buy additional coverage (details below).
To have rental car coverage while your vehicle is being repaired from collision losses, such as hitting another car or a fence, building or pole, you would need to purchase collision coverage and add the rental car coverage to your policy.
At ERIE, this add-on coverage is called Transportation Expenses. It allows you to select a class of vehicle you want. It’s a nice benefit, because if you are a family of six… a compact sedan is probably not going to work. There are six classes* from which to choose:
Class 1: Compact sedan
Class 2: Traditional sedan
Class 3: Small SUV or pickup truck
Class 4: Minivan or midsize SUV
Class 5: Luxury sedan or large SUV
Class 6: Specially equipped vehicle that can be operated and accessed by an individual with a disability.
Looking for a rental with a personality that matches yours? Turo (formerly RelayRides), is a carsharing platform that allows car owners to ‘host’ their vehicles, cutting out the rental counter and adding a more personal feel to your rental experience. While auto coverage with ERIE will cover you if you are renting a car through Turo, it will not if you are hosting (i.e. renting your vehicle out). A rental through Turo would also be covered under Transportation Expenses as a temporary substitute after an accident.
With that in mind, it's easy to add rental car expense coverage to your auto insurance policy. Just ask your agent to add Transportation Expense Coverage.
And, while you’re at it, consider adding Emergency Roadside Service Coverage. Insurance rules vary by state, so it is best to check with a trusted insurance advisor to review the specifics of your auto policy.
This story was originally published in 2018. It was updated with new information on April 29, 2019. Original blog from Erie Sense.
*With ERIE, you can choose from six classes of rental car options, each with a corresponding premium rate. North Carolina and Virginia offer a monetary reimbursement subject to purchased limits of coverage. Rental car classes do not apply.
When it comes to auto insurance, there are a lot of companies and coverage choices. How do you know who to trust and what’s essential? Some of the insurance terms like endorsements or comprehensive and collision coverage may also be a bit confusing. And what about those extras you can add on? Which ones do you need?
We’ve pulled together some of our best resources to make the experience of shopping for auto insurance easier. We’ll explore the ins and outs of coverage and what you should consider when buying or renewing your auto insurance policy.
Finding the auto insurance coverage that’s best for you
Whether you’re buying your first set of used wheels or a brand new car, you’ll need protection and service. Auto insurance kicks in for those unexpected mishaps—from a minor dent to a more serious crash. It also helps protect you, your passengers and your pets as well as some of the prized possessions being transported in your car.
Infographic: Your Auto Insurance Renewal Guide: Learn more about standard and customized coverages, discounts and more with this visual guide.
Understanding Your Auto Coverage: Depending on your state’s requirements for auto insurance and what limits and options you pick, your auto policy typically includes six common coverages. Find out what they are.
Getting the Best Value for Your Auto Insurance Needs: You may be eligible for valuable discounts on your auto policy. Check out a list of discounts.
Understanding Auto Insurance and ERIE’s Extras: ERIE customers get lots of extras that are built into their auto insurance policy. Discover some of the things that you’re covered for (and always have been).
Understanding auto insurance terminology
With coverage, you may wonder about some of the terminology used in your policy. Here are four common auto insurance terms and what they mean.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage [Video]: This coverage can help you when you’re involved in an accident with a driver who may not have sufficient insurance coverage or no coverage at all.
Collision and Comprehensive Coverage [Video]: Collision insurance covers your car or truck when it’s in an accident with another vehicle. Comprehensive insurance covers damage that’s not caused by a collision with another vehicle, such as fire or theft.
Exploring coverage options and additional protection worth considering
Almost in the same way that you could customize your car or truck, you can customize your auto insurance coverage. For instance, you may want to add emergency road service or rental car reimbursement coverage to your auto policy. The extra services do not cost a lot, and you’ll be glad to have them when you need them. Here’s more information about some of the options.
How To Get Road Service Coverage with an Auto Policy: When you experience an unlucky break with your car, like a flat tire or a mechanical failure, emergency road service can help save the day. Read this article for the details.
Does My Auto Insurance Cover Rental Cars? Customers often ask us about rental cars and what’s covered. Get straightforward answers to common questions.
Understanding Auto Insurance Endorsements: Learn more about why an endorsement is a good way to add extra coverage to your policy without having to purchase an entirely new one.
This story was originally published in 2018. Original blog from Erie Sense.
There's something about the experience of cutting down your family's own Christmas tree that starts the holiday season. But did you know there's a lot to know about live trees? From choosing one, to transporting it home and keeping it fresh through the holiday season, there's something we can all learn.
That's why we've called in an expert. Richard Palmer, the third-generation owner of Palmer Christmas Tree Farms in Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania, is an ERIE business insurance customer. The family began selling Christmas trees in 1939. Today, they grow trees on 60 acres of land.
Here are Richard’s top tips for choosing, transporting and caring for a live Christmas tree.
The first order of business is to decide which kind of tree you want. Richard grows six of the most popular varieties, which include:
Douglas fir: Douglas firs have soft, blue-green needles. They also have high needle retention compared to other trees, making them a good choice if you’re especially vacuum-averse.
Fraser fir: Richard reports that the Fraser fir has become his most-sold Christmas tree in recent years. “They have a very good reputation for needle retention and being easy to handle,” he says.
Colorado blue spruce: This dense, cone-shaped tree derives its name from its unique bluish-gray color. “The blue spruce has sturdy branches and sharp needles,” adds Richard.
White pine: This tree has soft, flexible needles and is bluish-green in color. Just know they aren’t the best pick if you have heavy ornaments or you want a tree with an aroma.
Norway spruce: This northern European tree has shiny, dark green needles and dense branches. It does not retain needles very well, so buy it as close to Christmas as possible.
Concolor fir: If you’re looking for a tree with a beautiful scent, try a concolor fir. In addition to its pleasing citrus scent, this tree has a natural shape and good needle retention.
No matter which tree you choose, it’s important to make sure it’s healthy. “All Christmas trees will shed some needles, but it’s not a good sign if lots of needles are falling off,” says Richard. “It’s also a bad sign if the tree feels light.”
Buy your tree as close to Christmas as possible. “I don’t sell any trees until the day after Thanksgiving,” says Richard. “A tree lasts about five weeks, so you shouldn’t be buying one before Thanksgiving.”
Want to enjoy your tree after the holiday season has ended? Consider purchasing a living Christmas tree. Compared to a fresh-cut tree, living trees are either potted or have the root ball wrapped in a burlap sack.
You keep the tree alive by caring for it as you would a potted plant. Then, instead of throwing your Christmas tree out in January, you can plant the tree outside. Or, keep it in a pot and use it again next year.
After you’ve picked out the perfect tree, the next step is getting it home. It’s important you give this process the attention it deserves, because a tree that isn’t properly secured can be dangerous for you, your car and other drivers on the road.
Before you leave, ask to get the tree netted. This will make it more manageable to transport. Then, place a tarp or blanket underneath the tree to prevent any scratches.
If possible, transport the tree inside your vehicle. Generally speaking, it’s safer and easier to do it that way. If you have a large van, truck or SUV, clear out some room before you head to the lot.
Use your roof rack. This equipment is specially designed to haul cargo. A rack with crossbars will protect your paint by keeping the tree off the roof, while providing secure mounting points where you can tie down the tree.
Face the cut end forward. A common mistake is to face the cut end of the tree toward the back of the car. “That blows the branches back, which causes the tree to lose needles,” says Richard. Instead, make the cut end face the front of your vehicle.
Tie it down at multiple points. After your tree is oriented correctly on top of your vehicle, start tying it down. Nylon ratchet straps offer a quick and easy way to secure your tree, but rope will work fine, too.
Check your work. Before driving off, give the tree a tug to ensure it’s not going anywhere.
Drive carefully! It’s wise to drive a little slower than usual. This will protect your tree, and reduce the likelihood of losing your precious Christmas cargo.
First, water the tree by filling your tree stand with warm water. “It gets the tree’s circulation going and helps it absorb water,” says Richard. Afterward, you can use room-temperature water in your stand. “Just keep an eye on the water level and never let the water run out,” adds Richard.
Another mistake is resting your tree over a heat vent before you put it in the stand. “Trees can get burn marks this way,” says Richard. Place your tree in an area away from heating vents, fireplaces and candles.
To prevent fires, inspect your lights to make sure there are no frayed wires, weird kinks or cracked sockets. Decorations should be non-flammable or flame-retardant.
A healthy tree will last about five weeks. One sure sign your tree is spent is when it starts dropping more needles than normal. By following these tips, you will be able to safely enjoy a beautiful and healthy Christmas tree during the holiday season.
This story was originally published in 2014. It was updated with new information on December 7, 2018. Original blog from Erie Sense.
The success of any business depends on hard work and ingenuity. Should disaster strike, business insurance helps protect the effort and money you’ve invested in your business. But because businesses are so diverse, you should consider a variety of optional coverages too. These extras are added to your business insurance policy as endorsements. Here’s how endorsements can help cover four common business risks.
1. Data breaches: Any business that has personal or medical information about its customers, tenants or employees is at risk for a data breach. Most states have breach notification laws that not only require a business owner to inform any affected individuals (customers) of a data breach but also specify the manner and period in which the business owner must inform customers. Here are coverages you may want to consider:
2. Employment practices liability: These days, hiring, firing and day-to-day employee management can be risky business. You’d like to think that your employees would never dream of filing a claim or suit against you or your business for discrimination, wrongful termination, harassment or sexual harassment. Unfortunately, it does happen. Responding to claims or suits like these will require time and money.
With Employment Practices Liability Coverage, you will not have to face an employment claim on your own. It can help protect you against liability damages and cover defense costs.
3. Professional liability: You’re expected to have technical knowledge or training in a particular area of expertise or perform certain services according to the standards of your profession. If you fail, you could be held responsible for any harm that you caused to another person or business. Professional liability coverage can provide you with protection for claims arising from negligent business or professional practices.
4. Identity theft: As a small business owner, your personal credit may be tied closely to your business. Having your own identity stolen, could jeopardize your credit and affect your business operations. ERIE’s Identity Theft Recovery coverage can be added to a business insurance policy and provide coverage1 for:
Your business needs protection provided by a company and insurance advisor that you can trust. You can count on us and our agents to help protect the business that means so much to you. As an customer, you also have access to risk control tools and services to help you identify and reduce common business risks. Give us a call to learn more.
This story was original published on December 9, 2015. It was updated with new information.Original blog from ERIE Source.
If you’re looking to rent an apartment, make sure looking into renters insurance is at the top of your list. Yes, your landlord has an insurance policy, but more often than not, that policy won’t cover your belongings should there be a theft or fire. Here are six things to consider when you’re ready to purchase a renters policy:
1. Estimate how much your stuff is worth.
“There is value to everything when it comes to renters insurance,” says Dave Freeman, vice president and regional officer, Personal Lines Underwriting, at ERIE. “Most people underestimate the value of their contents, but once they itemize them, they realize there’s a dramatic difference from what they initially thought.”
2. Decide between actual cash value and replacement cost.
Actual cash value takes depreciation into account when calculating the worth of your belongings. So if you bought a brand new laptop for $1,000 five years ago, you’ll only be reimbursed for what the laptop is worth in today’s dollars minus depreciation. Say it’s only worth $500 today, then that’s all you’d get.
Replacement cost is a better option: It reimburses you for the original value of the item (or one of similar kind and quality at today’s replacement cost if the item is no longer available) and costs only slightly more than actual cash value.
3. Consider earthquakes and other disasters.
Depending on where you live, your ERIE agent can tell you more about adding these extra coverages to your renters insurance policy.
4. Choose a deductible.
Think about it this way by asking yourself these questions: “How much premium savings do I want from picking a higher deductible? How much could I afford to pay out of pocket should I experience a loss?” This will help you determine what deductible is right for you.
5. Think about extra protection for any valuables.
ERIE offers $3,000 worth of coverage for any one item that’s stolen. If you own pricey items like jewelry, art, furs or silverware, you’ll probably want to add an endorsement to your renters insurance policy to make sure they’re fully covered.
6. Pick a liability limit.
“Think about all the ways you could accidentally hurt someone,” says Freeman, “and you’ll see there are many.” If your dog bites another animal or person, you’ll be held responsible, for example. That kind of lawsuit can get pretty costly if the injured person has any long-lasting physical scars or impairments. (If you’re concerned about having enough liability protection, consider an umbrella policy that offers an extra $1 to $5 million in coverage.)
Finally, remember that no matter where or what you’re renting, we are always there to help you get the right coverage at the right price. In the meantime, check out the renters insurance page to help get the conversation started when you call!
What’s even better? Purchasing both a renters and an auto policy can qualify you for a multi-policy discount. In some cases, the discount actually pays for the renters policy.*
*Discounts subject to eligibility criteria and rates and rules in effect at the time of purchase. For additional information be sure to give us a call. Individual policies may differ.
If you lease a building or office for your business and make improvements to the space - such as remodeling the interior - it is a good idea to review your business insurance coverage.
Generally, if you've made any after-the-facts alterations, it's up to you, not the property owner or landlord, to insure them.
For example, let's say you've leased space for your beauty salon, retail business or medical office and you install new sinks, counters and shelving. You would need to insure those items.
In the insurance industry, we call these changes improvements and betterments. Essentially, it means that you're responsible in a leased space for insuring any alterations you have made, such as flooring, light fixtures, wall coverings, wiring, plumbing, cabinets, shelving or anything else that is attached to the ceiling, walls or floors.
Because these improvements might be essential to your business operations, it's important to understand who is responsible for replacing them if they become damaged. If you do not update your business insurance to cover these improvements, you could be underinsured and without the means to fully repair or replace the improvements, if a covered loss occurs.
With an ERIE Insurance policy, the improvements and betterments are part of business personal property coverage.
For more information, get in touch with your local ERIE agent.
There's an exciting career revolution taking place - say hello to the "gig economy" (AKA, the side hustle), a booming new job market character by workers who call their own shots, set their own schedules and control their own destinies.
According to the Chicago Tribune reports, "There's no hard data yet on the size of this labor force. Some say it represents less than 10 percent of the domestic workforce but is growing rapidly, while other studies say it makes up nearly 25 percent. The U.S. Department of Labor is conducting a study to determine its size."
No doubt, it's a trend that is on the rise. That - of course - got us thinking: What do insurance needs look like in the gig economy?
ERIE requires new teen drivers to be added to a parent or guardian's auto policy or take out their own policy once they get their license. If your teen driver only has a learner's permit, he or she is automatically covered under your policy - so no need to touch base with your agent just yet.
ADD TO MY POLICY OR GET THEIR OWN?
Deciding whether to add newly licensed drivers to your existing auto policy or have them take out their own policy comes down to the car they're using.
If they're using your car, they will be covered under your policy the same way you are. This means they get policy benefits like Feature 15, which never allows your policy to be surcharged for an at-fault accident after your auto policy has been in force for 15 years. The only things your teen driver won't have are certain rights like the ability to modify deductibles and other coverages - those are reserved for the main policyholder.
You'll want to take out a policy in your teen driver's name if he or she holds the car title. If you buy your teen driver a car and you hold the title, you can still add the young driver to your policy. This is usually a less expensive option since your teen benefits from your driving record.
No matter how you choose to insure your teen driver, it is important to do it as soon as he or she is licensed. Every driver in your house needs protection - and that's especially true with inexperienced teen drivers. ERIE also aims to assess a fair and accurate premium based on all the drivers in your house, and that's impossible to do when drivers aren't properly disclosed.
If a new teen driver isn't added to a policy and gets in an accident, ERIE typically covers the claim. However, you may be charged back premium from the time when the teen driver became licensed and should have been added to the policy up to the present time.
KEEPING COSTS IN CHECK
Teen drivers are typically more expensive to insure because they lack a solid driving record and get into more accidents on average than more experienced drivers. That said, there are a few ways to keep car premiums for new teen drivers under control.
They include:
As a parent or guardian, you play a big role in helping your teen drive responsibly. Take the time to talk with your teen about the importance of driving safely and avoiding distracted driving.
If you had a self-driving car, how much attention do you really think you'd need to pay to the road?
That's what we wanted to find out when we asked nearly 3,000 licensed U.S. drivers in a new national survey to coincide with Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
The survey, commissioned by ERIE Insurance and conducted online by Harris Poll, finds almost 6 in 10 (59 percent) think that self-driving cars will eliminate the problem of distracted driving.
We're still years away from a future where self-driving cars are the norm. But that hasn't stopped these survey respondents from making plans for what they'd do with their own downtime behind the wheel of a self-driving car.
Sleeping promises to be a popular pastime in self-driving cars. Roughly half of licensed drivers (51 percent) say one of the biggest advantages of self-driving cars would be the ability to go longer distances without worrying about being drowsy while driving. About one-fifth of licensed drivers (19 percent) say they'd sleep or nap while operating a self-driving car.
How else would people spend extra time? Other survey responses include:
A small percentage admitted they'd use their commutes to - ahem - get a little cozy. Seven percent of licensed drivers say they would engage in "romantic activities" while operating a self-driving car, with men almost four times more likely to do this than women (11 percent vs. 3 percent, respectively).
When asked to write in what they would do, a few others said they would pray.
One honest driver admitted he'd be "a nervous wreck."
We can daydream all we'd like, but the reality is a future with totally autonomous vehicles is likely a long way off.
"The term 'self-driving car' suggests I can hop in my car, enter a destination and have it take me from point A to point B. But that car doesn't exist yet," said Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Currently, driving distracted has stark consequences. In 2013, ERIE Insurance analyzed police data found that daydreaming was the most fatal distracted driving behavior behind the wheel. And according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, human error is a factor in 94 percent of car crashes.
"While we believe that fully autonomous vehicles will greatly reduce that number, it's hard to predict how soon they will be widely available," said Cody Cook, ERIE Insurance vice president and product manager of ERIE's auto department. "Current technology is going a long way to keep us safer on the road, but the last thing we want is for people to become over-confident as this technology continues to evolve. Unfortunately, our survey finds that many people are getting ahead of themselves - making plans for what they'll do in the car instead of paying attention to the road."
The prospect of self-driving cars also raises some interesting questions about a serious topic: Driving under the influence. It's hard to speculate how current drinking and driving laws would change (or not change). Still, 13 percent of our survey respondents believe you wouldn't get cited for DUI/ DWI if you have a few drinks and then operate a self-driving car.
One-third (33 percent) believe that one of the biggest advantages of self-driving cars will be the ability to get home safely if under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
However, a much smaller percentage of those 21+ (5 percent) admit that they would drink alcoholic beverages while operating a self-driving car.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
What are we calling this new class of vehicles, anyway? "Self-driving" or "autonomous" are the current front-runners. But those terms largely ignore the fact that car operators may still need to pay attention to the road and be ready to take control.
So, we posed the question to our survey respondents: What else should we be calling these new vehicles?
Many of the suggestions revealed drivers' fears about the safety of self-driving cars. Responses included:
"While some of the responses may have been written in jest or taken on a lighthearted tone, if our survey gets people talking about a serious issues like distracted driving, it will have served its purpose," said Cody. "We hope people will remember that despite technological advances, it's still critical - for now, anyway - to keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and your mind on what you are doing."
Methodology: This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of ERIE Insurance from February 28 - March 2, 2017, among 2,932 U.S. licensed drivers ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Leah Knapp at ERIE Insurance.
