Insurance Blog

Pros and Cons of Your Home Siding Options

Switching up your home’s exterior siding is a bold statement… and a big decision. When starting your research, a few factors to consider are curb appeal, maintenance, weather conditions, durability and – of course – your budget.  Here’s the good news: According to Remodeling Magazine, homeowners recoup 80% of the cost of new siding when they go to sell their home. (click for full article)

Helping Your Home Recover from Winter

Winter is usually rough on your home. Once snow, ice, wind and freezing temperatures calm down, spring is a good time to check how your home withstood the season. (click for full article)

Cyber Insurance: Why every Small Business needs it

When you think about cyber threats, you might picture a large corporation battling a data breach, not a small construction firm, local brewery or veterinary clinic. But here’s the reality—cybercriminals don’t just go after the big guys. In fact, small businesses are often prime targets because they typically have fewer security resources. (click for full article)

​What to Know About Workers’ Compensation and Working from Home

Are you one of the many businesses that has taken on a remote or hybrid working model? Working from home has pros and cons, but it also raises serious questions like what would happen if an employee becomes injured while performing work at home. (click for full article)

How Cold is Too Cold for a Car Wash?

Should you wash your car in the winter? The short answer: Yes.  While you may skip them because it’s nearly impossible to keep a car looking clean in winter, road salt and other ice-melting chemicals used to keep our roadways safe can cause rust and corrosion on your vehicle—with fuel lines and brakes being the most susceptible to damage. (click for full article)

​7 Tips for Staying Safe During Extreme Cold Weather

Being prepared when cold, winter weather is in the forecast, is an important part of living in the Midwest.  In extreme cold, you shouldn’t travel unless it’s absolutely necessary. Staying inside will reduce your chance of getting frostbite or risking uncertain road conditions.  (click here for full article)

How is my Auto Insurance Rate Decided?

Maybe you’ve been there before. Something changed in your life – you bought a new car, moved into a new neighborhood or started a new job...then, one day, you notice what you pay for auto insurance changes. Why does that happen? (click here for full article)

​8 Homeowners Insurance Coverages You Need

When it comes to homeowners insurance, not all policies are created equal. And that’s important to remember when it comes to protecting what could very well be your biggest asset.  Check out these "must haves" when it comes to your home insurance policy. (click for full article)

Bring These Items With You When You Buy a New Car

That shiny new ride is right in reach. You’ve searched high and low, spent more time reviewing reviews on Google than you want to admit, but the time has come! You are ready to purchase your new (or new to you) vehicle. Before you head over to the dealership, make sure you have all the documents you’ll need to make the process as smooth as possible. (click for full article)

​7 Tips to Winterize Your Business

Before each winter, business owners should spend time preparing to protect their property and operations from the challenges cold weather brings, snow and ice. Winterizing your business is not just about staying warm—it's about safeguarding your assets and minimizing potential risks.
(click here for full article)

How to Get Better Gas Mileage

If a commute to work or school is a requirement in your life and you want to stretch those precious gallons of gas each week, the tips we've gathered in this article may be helpful. (click for full article)

What is General Liability Insurance?

If you run a small business, you’re well aware of how many things can go wrong. Even if they haven’t happened to you personally, you’ve probably heard the horror stories. One of the most effective ways to protect your business from potential financial loss is with general liability insurance. Let’s explore how this kind of coverage helps keep small business owners confidently on track to success. (click for full article)

How Much Car Insurance Do I Need?

Determining how much insurance you need to be fully protected and fit into your budget is a tricky task. Many factors come into play with this question. Things like state minimums, lender requirements and the value of your assets are all looked at when determining the answer to this question.  How much car insurance you need - this is not a very simple question to answer because it will vary for everyone. (click for full article)

​6 Common Problems Caused by Clogged Gutters

Raising a ladder to dig mud and leaves from your gutters never sounds like a fun job. But if you’re a homeowner, it’s worth the hassle. That’s because cleaning your gutters can help prevent anything from bees’ nests to a bad foundation. (click for full article)

​What is Full Coverage Insurance?

If you’ve ever bought, or leased, a car there’s a pretty good chance you’ve been told you need “full coverage” auto insurance while under a loan or lease. But what exactly does that mean? (click for full article)

​When is a Car Considered Totaled—And What Happens When It Is?

The first step in determining whether a car is totaled (or, in insurance terms, a total loss) is to calculate its actual cash value (ACV) at the time of the loss.  The ACV is how much your vehicle is worth after factoring in depreciation.  (click for full article)

​How Should I Drive in Heavy Rain?

It starts with a few innocent raindrops on the glass.  At first, you might not even bother to turn on the windshield wipers. But judging from the dark skies and rolling thunder, you know it’s just the beginning.  Before long, your car is under assault from a rapid barrage of descending beads, leaving a blurry barrier on the windshield while the wiper blades swing at full speed trying to whisk rain away. (click for full article)

Is Your Business Data Secure? 

A data breach is not something that just happens to mega retailers – small businesses are also at risk. From customers’ credit card numbers to employee tax information, it’s likely that your small business handles sensitive data on a regular basis.  (click here for full article)

​What’s a Home Inventory, and Why Do I Need One?

What if you were asked to make a list of everything inside your home from memory? Chances are, you’d end up forgetting a thing or two... right?  Well, if you ever have to file a homeowners insurance claim after a fire or major disaster, you could be asked to do just that. That’s why you need a home inventory. (click for full article)

5 Ways to Avoid Parking Lot Accidents

Parking lots can be treacherous territory.  In fact, tens of thousands of crashes and hundreds of deaths occur each year in parking lots, according to the National Safety Council. The good news is that your ERIE auto policy extends to parking lots. Just check in with your us to make sure your coverage limits provide you with optimal protection for the range of potential parking lot scenarios.  Here are some key steps to take to ensure that a fender-bender (or worse) doesn’t end up being a costly headache. (click for full article)

​What to Include in a Car Emergency Kit

Stranded, cold and hungry along the highway is not how most of us intend to end up when we travel. A well-stocked emergency roadside kit could help you get back on the road quickly—or at least remain safely stranded. (click for full article)

​Does Auto Insurance Cover Stolen Cars?

Everyone knows auto insurance is there to help when your vehicle’s been damaged. But what happens when all you’re left with is an empty parking spot?  We’re here to explain how auto insurance can help cover you if someone steals your ride. (click for full article)

What does Home Insurance cover?

We all hope to never need that policy, but do you know exactly what a homeowner's policy covers? The answers may surprise you and even save you some money in areas you never realized. (click here for full article)

Can I Insure my E-Bike?

E-bikes have become the fastest-selling electric vehicle on the market, now outselling electric cars by more than two-to-one.  Let’s take a deeper look at how they work and what to know. (click here for full article)

Questions to ask your Insurance Agent before buying a New Car.

When purchasing a new vehicle, many drivers are tempted to keep the same old auto insurance coverage limits or do whatever they can to lower their rate.  But finding the best auto insurance, like shopping for a new car, is about much more than the sticker price. In this article we'll uncover why shopping for insurance and a new ride often go hand in hand. (click here for full article)

​What to Know When Buying a Hybrid or Electric Car.

Today, nearly every major automaker produces some type of hybrid or electric vehicle. In addition to small and midsize cars, there are now hybrid minivans and SUVs hitting the pavement. While gas-powered vehicles haven’t completely become a thing of the past, many car buyers are contemplating whether a hybrid or an electric vehicle is a good fit for their lifestyle and their wallet. (click for full article)

Keep the Summer Fun Flowing and Family Safe with this Backyard Safety Checklist.

On long summer days, kids can occupy themselves for hours in your backyard. (Where do they get all that energy!?)  Whether your yard has a simple swing set or a brand new in-ground pool, it’s a parent’s job to check that everything is in good working condition – and set some ground rules for safety.  Here's a list of some summer safety tips for your backyard adventures. (click for full article)

​Grilling Safety Tips for Propane, Charcoal and Gas Grills.

There’s something about cooking your food over an open flame that seems to make everything taste better. But it does come with one notable risk: house fires.  To help you stay safe during your next cookout, we’ve put together a list of essential grilling safety tips. (click for full article)

Does my Insurance cover my College Student's Car & Stuff?

There are a lot of logistics around getting your kid packed up and off to college safely.  When it comes to insurance, you might be asking, "is my student's car and stuff covered under my insurance policy?"  (click for full article)

All about Umbrella Insurance.

Personal catastrophe liability coverage, also called personal umbrella insurance, can give you an extra layer of protection in case something tragic happens. We all like to think it will never happen to us, but the reality is that it might. (click for full article)

How much does Life Insurance cost?

It’s a universal fact: everyone needs life insurance. Whether you’re a student, parent or empty nester, life insurance can help protect the life you’ve built for yourself (or a future, if you purchase life insurance for a child). So, what’s preventing you from getting a policy today? Aside from the general discomfort many get when discussing life insurance, presumed cost is often the top reason holding people back from buying life insurance. (click for full article)

​What is Renters Insurance and Why Do I Need It?

If you’re getting ready to rent an apartment, you’ve probably got a long list of things to do before you move. One item on that list should be learning about a renter's insurance policy to protect your belongings.  (click for full article)

​What to Know When Buying a Hybrid or Electric Car

While gas-powered vehicles haven’t completely become a thing of the past, many car buyers are contemplating whether a hybrid or an electric vehicle is a good fit for their lifestyle and their wallet.  Here, we’ve answered some fundamental questions to help you in your car-buying search. (click for full article)

​What is Boat Insurance and Why Do You Need It?

There’s nothing like being out on the water.  You cherish your boat, and the memories you make there are the reason your investment is worth every penny. Having the right insurance coverage for your boat can help you float on, worry-free. (click for full article)

​Your Quick and Easy Guide to Electrical Safety at Home

Outdated or mis-wired outlets and switches are not only annoying, but dangerous. Most fixes are simple and inexpensive, if not free.  Here is a simple guide on how to achieve electrical safety in your home.  (click for full article)

​Don’t Let These 7 Reasons Hold You Back from Buying Life Insurance

Are you like the majority of Americans who don't have life insurance, but say that they know they need it? With the price of everything from home to college and grocery to daycare costs rising, it’s more important than ever to get life insurance to help protect your loved ones. (click for full article)

​Homeowners Insurance Considerations for New Parents

If you’re about to enter the realm of parenthood, one thing’s for certain: everything in life is about to change.  You’ll trade late nights out for sleepless nights in. You’ll master new skills – like changing diapers and soothing a newborn. We've put together a quick list of things you should consider before bringing home your new baby. (click for full article)

​How to Help Your Car Recover from Winter

Your car has battled snow, ice, salt and potholes for months on end. Now that winter’s in the rear-view mirror, certain aspects of your car need a little more TLC than others. Check out our list for preparing your car for spring and view our other checklists for helping your home recover from winter. (click for full article)

​How to Keep Pets Safe in Cars

Like many of us, you may consider traveling with your pet as a comforting way to get around. So, while you’re on the road with your furry friend, always remember: your pet’s safety is in your hands.  (click for full article)

​Protecting Your Family with ERIExpress Life

You’ve covered the electrical outlets, read the reviews for every crib, and learned more about car safety ratings than you ever wanted to know. We all go to great lengths to protect our families, but what about getting life insurance?  (click for full article)

​Life Insurance: A Family Conversation on Financial Security

You care enough about your family to protect their financial security with life insurance.
But, as crucial as that coverage is, it’s equally important to make sure your loved ones know what your insurance does for your family and how it works — well in advance of the day it matters most. Everyone should grasp the purpose, function and (most importantly) benefits of their protection. 
​(click for full article)

Buying a Car from a Private Seller

When buying a car from a private seller, pricing is one of the most important considerations. Unlike buying from a dealership, where prices are typically set, private sellers are more likely to be open to negotiation. Here are some tips for getting the best deal:  (click for full article)

​8 Driving Myths Debunked

​For more than a century, cars have played a central role in American life. And over that time, plenty of auto-related myths have also developed (many of which are commonly accepted as truth). Whether you heard it from a friend or have believed it for as long as you can remember, one of these driving myths may be costing you time and money – or even compromising your safety behind the wheel. (click for full article)

Making Your New Year's Resolution Stick

Start small Make resolutions that you think you can keep. If, for example, your aim is to exercise more frequently, schedule three or four days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you would like to eat healthier, try replacing dessert with something else you enjoy, like fruit or yogurt, instead of seeing your diet as a form of punishment. (click for full article)

​Replacement Cost vs. Market Value: What's the Difference?

If you were asked to describe the state of the housing market over the past few years, it could be summarized in one word: unpredictable.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many experts predicted a looming housing crash. But instead of heading into a real estate meltdown, U.S. home prices increased an astounding 37 percent in the two years between March 2020 and March 2022.  (click for full article)

​Protect Your Packages (And Your Home) During the Holidays

There’s almost nothing more convenient than online ordering – and this year will be a holiday season like no other.
With smaller gatherings and social circles, you’ll likely be shipping more packages to friends and family you’d normally see in person over the holidays.
Unfortunately, more packages being delivered could increase the risk of package theft. A study by C+R Research estimates that 36% of survey respondents have had a package swiped from their doorstep before they could retrieve it, and over 50% knew someone who’d had a package stolen. (click for full article)

​What to Know About Winter Car Washes

Should you wash your car in the winter? The short answer: Yes.
While you may skip them because it’s nearly impossible to keep a car looking clean in winter, road salt and other ice-melting chemicals used to keep our roadways safe can cause rust and corrosion on your vehicle—with fuel lines and brakes being the most susceptible to damage.  (click for full article)

​Behind the Scenes with Today's Homeowner and Erie Insurance

Danny Lipford is known as America’s Home Improvement Expert. As host of the Emmy-nominated, nationally syndicated Today’s Homeowner television and radio program, podcast and the destination website TodaysHomeowner.com, Lipford delivers fresh, practical and trusted advice for maintaining and improving homes.  (click for full article)

Useful Apps for Homeowners

Your house is most likely one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make.  Do you have the right tools to help you manage it? And no, we aren’t talking about the ones in your toolbox.  We’re talking about apps specifically designed to help you easily manage the many aspects of owning and operating your home. From landscape design to planning your next remodel to making sure you have the right part to fix that broken appliance, there are a wealth of apps available for download that can help make homeownership a little easier.  (click for full article)

Review Your Policy After These Major Life Changes

​If you have life insurance, you are in good shape. However, when major life changes occur, it is time to review your policy and update it to suit your new situation. When to Review Your Life Insurance? Several life events will significantly change your life insurance needs. These include: Getting married: Once you are married, your lives are merged into one, sharing finances and personal...(click for full article)

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What to Know About Classic Car Insurance

​Whether it’s a groovy bus from the 1960s or a muscle car from your glory days… you love when your antique or classic car turns heads.
If you’re a car enthusiast, you know the feeling  — and you often go to great lengths to restore and protect your classic or antique car. That’s why it’s important to have the right coverage that goes the distance, too.
Let’s go for a spin and get the answers to some common questions we receive about classic and antique car insurance:
(click for full article)