Erie Insurance offers unique, new ridesharing coverage for drivers

ERIE, Pa., Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Insurance has launched what it believes to be a first-of-its-kind coverage to protect drivers who use ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. The new car insurance coverage solves a longstanding problem for drivers in the ridesharing economy by eliminating confusion over what's covered and when. With ERIE's new coverage, the driver has insurance coverage during every part of the trip—before, during and after the hired ride.

"The Erie Insurance motto is 'Above All in Service', which means we put customers first and provide them with the best possible protection," said Cody Cook, auto product vice president, Erie Insurance. "In this case, we saw a need in the sharing economy and filled it."

With ridesharing apps, instead of using a taxi service, people summon private car owners to pick them up. But while ridesharing is becoming increasingly popular, it's also controversial due to the lack of clarity around whom, if anyone, provides insurance coverage.

The new Erie Insurance coverage is available to people who put a "business use" designation on their personal car insurance policy.

"'Business use'" traditionally has covered  people who use their personal cars for things like delivering pizza or flowers, but has historically excluded—meaning not covered— people who use their cars as taxis," said Cook. "We are removing that exclusion, so now if you use your car for a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft, there's no confusion over what's covered and when. You're covered during every part of the trip—before, during and after the hired ride. We know of no other insurance company that is offering something like this."

The new Erie Insurance coverage is initially being offered in Illinois and Indiana. It will become available in others states depending on consumer response.

Coverage is subject to limitations and exclusions. See the policy or an ERIE Agent for details.

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 11th largest homeowners insurer and 12th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 16th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has more than 4.9 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500 and Barron's 500 company. Erie Insurance is proud to have received the J.D. Power award for "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Purchase Experience" two years in a row. ERIE has also been recognized by Forbes as one of America's 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies and is on the list of Ward's 50 Group of top performing insurance companies, which analyzes the financial performance of 3,000 property and casualty companies and recognizes the top performers for achieving outstanding results in safety, consistency and financial performance over a five-year period (2009-2013).

News releases and more information about Erie Insurance Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.

(ERIE-G)

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SOURCE Erie Insurance

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