Life Policy and Deposit Contract Reserves (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Components of life policy and deposit contract liability balances
Life policy and deposit contract reserves	$ 1,758	$ 1,708
Life insurance operations \| Erie Family Life Insurance Company (EFL)
Components of life policy and deposit contract liability balances
Deferred annuities	1,135	1,136	1,144
Other	20	17	17
Life policy and deposit contract reserves	1,758	1,708	1,671
Reinsurance credit related to life policy and deposit contract reserves	134	122	108
Life insurance operations \| Erie Family Life Insurance Company (EFL) \| Ordinary/traditional Life
Components of life policy and deposit contract liability balances
Life	343	313	282
Life insurance operations \| Erie Family Life Insurance Company (EFL) \| Universal Life
Components of life policy and deposit contract liability balances
Life	$ 260	$ 242	$ 228

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The known and estimated amount recoverable from reinsurers as of the balance sheet date related to life policy and deposit contract reserves, net of any related valuation allowance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of accrued obligation to policyholders that relates to insured events for long-duration contracts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 25

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28366191&loc=d3e13145-158430

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph a

-Article 7

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.13(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of accrued obligation to policyholders that relates to insured events under individual and group annuities and supplementary insurance contracts.

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- Definition

Amount of accrued obligation to policyholders that relates to insured events under long-term life insurance contracts.

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+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of accrued obligation to policyholders that relates to insured events under other insurance contracts.

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+ Details

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