Postretirement Benefits (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Postretirement Benefits
Postretirement annual benefit expense reimbursed to Indemnity from the Exchange and EFL (as a percent)	56.00%
Cost of pension plans:
Service cost for benefits earned	$ 23us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost	$ 27us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost	$ 21us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
Interest cost on benefit obligation	28us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost	26us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost	24us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
Expected return on plan assets	(32)	(31)	(27)
Prior service cost amortization	1	1	1
Net actuarial loss amortization	6	15	11
Pension plan cost	26	38	30
Erie Family Life Insurance Company (EFL)
Postretirement Benefits
Contingent liability for amount of nonparticipating annuity contracts the employee pension plan purchased from EFL	$ 25

Represents the percentage at which postretirement benefit expenses are reimbursed to the parent company.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of gains or losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of the prior service cost or credit recognized in net periodic benefit cost relating to benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of estimated future defined benefit annual plan participant benefits covered by insurance contracts issued by the employer or its related parties.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512136

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 60

-Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512171

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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- Definition

The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

+ References

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- Definition

The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments.

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- Definition

The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Service Cost (Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6525008

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

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