Who hasn’t been zipping along when all of a sudden traffic slows to a halt? When it does, you can bet on one of two things: There was an accident or there’s construction. What To Do in a Work Zone Road work is often the culprit in the warmer months. You probably already know that it’s important to stay at or below the posted limits when you’re in a work zone, not to mention, many states will ticket you for speeding in a construction zone. Yet there are a few other tips worth keeping in mind in order to keep you, your car and workers safe when you’re driving through a work zone. Check ahead fo ..read more

Erie Insurance is there for your car when it comes to auto insurance, but what about everything else? Your car can take you near and far, but only if you take care of it in return. April is National Car Care Month and it’s your opportunity to show your ride the love that it deserves. Lucky for you, ERIE has tons of helpful posts right here on the blog to help you show your car a little TLC this month: How to Help Your Car Recover from Winter: Winter is tough on cars. Now is a perfect time to begin the recovery process. What You Need to Know About High Mileage Cars: For owners of veh ..read more

During the pandemic, a scarcity – and resulting high costs – of rental cars paved the way for a surge in peer-to-peer (P2P) vehicle sharing. Think of it like AirBnBⓇ for your car. No more standing in line at rental car agencies only to find there are no cars for your reservation. Open an app, find a car near you that someone else owns and off you go! While these peer-to-peer networks offer convenience and sometimes cost savings, they also pose some risks regarding insurance coverage. Before you drive a P2P vehicle or put yours out there for hire, it’s in your best interest to understand what i ..read more

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.  In the irregular geometry of your car’s interior, pets can find it difficult to perform their customary acrobatics when responding to sudden g-forces, potentially suffering harm to bones and soft tissue even in non-emergency acceleration and deceleration scenarios.  So, let’s look at how we can keep our four-legged crew members safe while we’re on the road. Can Pets Wear Seat Belts? In a ..read more

If you’ve ever driven through a steep mountain pass, you may have noticed signs reading “chains or snow tires required.” These signs, often accompanied by flashing lights, are intended to warn drivers of hazardous winter weather driving conditions. When the lights are flashing, state traction laws are in effect, meaning drivers need to have the right tires or equipment to navigate the steep snow- or ice-covered roads ahead. In a previous blog post, we already explained everything you need to know about snow tires. Now, we’ll take a closer look at the topic of tire chains. What Are Tire Chains ..read more

When it comes to insurance, the best policy is one that provides the right protection for you and your family — right now. That means as your life changes, your insurance coverage should, too. In an ideal world, you’d call your insurance agent every time you finished a home renovation, bought a new vehicle or got a new job. But life is busy. And with all the responsibilities of work and family, evaluating your auto, home or life insurance coverage may fall pretty low on your priority list. That’s why it’s helpful to have an insurance agent. Your agent can keep an eye on your policies ..read more

Watching your teenager get behind the wheel for the first time is nerve–racking—we get it. But what was once considered a major milestone may not be quite as revered today. As young driver trends have shifted over the past few years, studies show Gen Z Americans (those born between 1997 and 2012) are waiting longer to get their licenses. Is Gen Z Not Driving? Driving hits different for today’s youth. Researchers from the University of Michigan found that, in the 1980s, nearly half of all 16-year-olds were driving. According to The Washington Post, by 1997, roughly 43% of those 16 years of age ..read more

As you top off your car’s fuel tank at certain fueling stations, you might notice a fuel option other than regular or premium: ethanol-free gas. Since many of us drive vehicles that take regular or premium gas, we may not be familiar with this alternative or understand its purpose. So, what exactly is ethanol-free gas, and when should you use it? To better understand ethanol-free gas, it might be useful to first explore how we wound up with ethanol in our gas to begin with. What Is Ethanol Anyway? Plainly put, ethanol is alcohol — the same stuff in your favorite cocktail. It’s a natural result ..read more

From snow to sleet to freezing rain, severe weather conditions can make winter driving especially difficult. But perhaps none is more dangerous than black ice. That’s because unlike snow and sleet, black ice can be practically invisible to an unsuspecting driver. (Related: 7 Dangerous Winter Driving Myths… Debunked) The safest thing to do is stay home when conditions call for icy roads – but of course, that’s not always possible. So, what can you do?  Keep reading to find out how to handle this all-too-common winter hazard. What is Black Ice? Black ice is a thin layer of ice that can ..read more

At ERIE, we don’t take the price you pay for car insurance lightly. Like most companies today, we’re facing increased costs of doing business. And we know that you are facing rising costs too, on everything from gasoline to breakfast cereal to housing. And while a lot of factors go into what you pay – from vehicle safety ratings to your personal driving history – striking the balance between insurance premiums and the cost of doing business is key to any insurer’s ability to meet customer expectations and pay for claims. For questions about your specific auto policy and rate, reach o ..read more