Erie Insurance Giving Network Awards Honor Agencies for Community Service

ERIE, Pa., July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Insurance's Giving Network recognized the first eight recipients of the company's inaugural Agency of the Year Awards for outstanding community service.  In celebration of the agencies' community involvement efforts, Erie Insurance donated $20,000 among nine non-profit organizations.  

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041112/ERIELOGO )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20041112/ERIELOGO )

"For more than 85 years, Erie Insurance has been giving back in the communities where we live and work," said Ann Scott, diversity and community outreach director.  "We're proud to continue that tradition and support the efforts of the independent agencies representing Erie Insurance."

The Erie Insurance Giving Network Agency of the Year Award recognizes agencies who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to community through volunteerism.  ERIE is honoring one agency from each of its 17 branches with the prestigious award in 2010.  Recipients of the first eight awards from ERIE branch locations in North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania include:

Downing and Gayle Insurance Services of Raleigh, N.C. – Operation Christmas Child

Twin City Insurance Agency of Newton, N.C. – The Corner Table Food Pantry

Mitchell Insurance Agency of Grove City, Ohio – Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation

Welch Insurance Agency of Marietta, Ohio – Boy Scouts of America, Allohak Council

Ravenswood Insurance Center of Ravenswood, W.V. – Ravenswood Octoberfest and

The No Hunger Food Pantry

Jack Martin Insurance Agency of Annapolis, Md. – Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, "The House Jack Built"

Chris R. Sotak Agency of Export, Pa. – Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania

Turner Insurance Agency of Harrisville, Pa. – eduKenya

Nine additional Giving Network Agency of the Year Award recipients will be named in fall 2010.

To learn more about the Erie Insurance Giving Network or to find an agent, please visit www.erieinsurance.com.

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 14th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 18th 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 over 4.1 million policies in force and operates in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group ranks 484 on the FORTUNE 500.

Erie Insurance earned J.D. Power and Associates' award for "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Shopping Experience."  This recognition is based on the results of the 2010 Insurance Shopping Study, which evaluates the experience of customers purchasing a new auto insurance policy.  Erie Insurance has also been recognized on the list of Ward's 50 Group of top performing insurance companies.  The Ward's 50 award analyzes the financial performance of 3,000 property and casualty companies and nearly 800 life and health insurance companies and recognizes the top performers for achieving outstanding financial results in safety and consistency over a five-year period (2005-2009).

SOURCE Erie Insurance