Frequently Asked Questions of Ritchey Insurance Associates

Besides mailing my payment, how can I pay my insurance bill?
I've been thinking about switching insurance companies. How can I get a quote?
My child has just obtained his/her learner's permit. Do I have to add him/her to our auto policy?
What is the difference between Collision and Comprehensive coverage?
Is emergency road service covered by my policy?
How can I lower my auto premium?
Am I covered if I rent a car overseas?
Does my auto policy provide coverage on a rented vehicle?
What is identity theft?
What should I do if someone has stolen my identity or made fraudulant purchases in my name?
Is the money fraudulently lost, for example $500 charged to my credit card, reimbursed with ERIE's Identity Recovery Coverage?

Besides mailing my payment, how can I pay my insurance bill?

For your convenience, we offer many options for paying your premium. You can pay online, by phone, through direct debit from your checking account, or in person at your Agent's office.

Automated phone payment*: Call 1-800-387-1492 to make payments using Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit cards. (Regulations in Maryland, North Carolina and New York, however, prevent us from offering this option at this time.)

*A nominal convenience fee is charged by the vendor on each policy payment made by phone.
Online*: Use our One-Time Payment Service to make your payment free of charge from your checking or savings account.

*Debit and credit cards are not accepted at this time.
Direct Debit: Sign up with your Erie Insurance Agent for ERIExpressPay or Chek-Matic - our recurring monthly direct debit programs for property/casualty or life insurance payments, respectively. Payment drawn automatically from your checking account makes paying your insurance effortless.

I've been thinking about switching insurance companies. How can I get a quote?

If you're looking for a quote for automobile insurance, you can use ERIE's Quick Quote for Auto feature. You can get a free 12-month premium estimate in just about 3 minutes by providing some basic information.

My child has just obtained his/her learner's permit. Do I have to add him/her to our auto policy?

In most cases, no. Only after a driver has obtained his or her driver's license should the driver be added to the auto policy.

What is the difference between Collision and Comprehensive coverage?

Collision coverage applies to claims that result from a collision with another vehicle or object. It also includes damages caused by uninsured motorists and hit-and-run drivers.

Comprehensive coverage is for losses caused by fire, theft and contact with animals, like hitting a deer. Damage to your windshield also usually falls under comprehensive coverage.

Is emergency road service covered by my policy?

Emergency Road Service is an optional coverage that may be added by endorsement to your Family Auto Policy. If your car is disabled, ERIE will pay reasonable towing and required labor cost at the site of the breakdown. Contact the provider of your choice and then submit the bills for reimbursement. If your current policy includes this coverage, the declarations page - the top page of your policy - will note the premium you pay for this coverage

How can I lower my auto premium?

There are a number of ways you can lower your auto premium, including:

Increasing your deductible
Select payment plans A or B and save up to 7 percent (savings vary by state)
Purchase a qualifying life policy and save 5 percent (not available in New York)
Drive safely and qualify for our Pioneer Experience Rating Credit (PERC) discount or Safe Driver Discount.
Policyholders with ERIE homeowners policies can save up to 15 percent on their auto premiums (savings vary by state)
Purchase a vehicle with anti-theft, anti-lock and passive restraint features

Am I covered if I rent a car overseas?

No. Your auto coverage applies to accidents or losses that occur during the policy period in the United States of America, its territories and possessions, Puerto Rico, Canada or between their ports. However, this coverage does not extend outside of these areas.

Does my auto policy provide coverage on a rented vehicle?

Yes. An Erie Insurance Family Auto Policy provides coverage when you, or a relative who resides with you, rents a vehicle for personal use for 45 days or fewer. However, we do not pay for rental costs. Coverage for a rental vehicle is extended according the terms and conditions of the policy.

What is identity theft?

People use the term "identity theft" loosely. True identity theft occurs when a thief uses your personal information, such as your Social Security number, home address, checking account number, etc., to commit fraud and open new accounts. Fraudulent charges on a credit card or ATM card may mean that someone has stolen your credit card account number to make purchases that you did not approve, but it may not indicate that your identity was stolen.

True identity theft occurs when a thief steals your personal information to:

Open new credit card accounts
Take out loans for new cars or homes
Access bank accounts and withdraw funds
Rent homes
Get medical treatment and charge it in your name
They may even use the victim's name as an alias when committing a crime

These activities can result in a significant financial and emotional cost.

What should I do if someone has stolen my identity or made fraudulant purchases in my name?

If someone steals your personal information, it's important to take immediate action. If you have ERIE's Identity Recovery Coverage, contact our hotline at 1-866-ERIENOW (374-3669) to begin the recovery process. We'll put you in touch with the case management services and get you on the road to recovery. The case management services will walk you through the recovery process including:

Contacting the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file. This alert requests that creditors contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts.
Ordering copies of your credit report from all three of the major credit bureaus to review recent activity.
Closing accounts that you believe to have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
Writing letters on your behalf to the Social Security Administration or other government entities.
Providing legal referrals for assistance with court appearances or other legal situations.

Is the money fraudulently lost, for example $500 charged to my credit card, reimbursed with ERIE's Identity Recovery Coverage?

Yes. Consumers can typically recover this money from the affected financial institutions and most banks and creditors limit a consumers' exposure to $50. However, if your financial institution does not limit your financial responsibility when fraud occurs, you can use ERIE's Identity Recovery Coverage for fraud reimbursement.