XML 38 R40.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Fair Value (Details 4) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities $ 10,917us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities $ 10,446us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Indemnity    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 581us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
589us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Exchange    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 10,336us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
9,857us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis    
Fair value by pricing source    
Total 14,071us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
13,748us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 581us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
589us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Total 588us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
597us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity | Fixed maturities    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 556us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
564us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity | Fixed maturities | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 555us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity | Fixed maturities | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_MarketComparablesBrokerQuoteMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 12us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
12us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 10us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 2us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_MarketComparablesBrokerQuoteMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity | Common stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 13us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
13us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity | Common stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 13us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity | Real estate    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 7us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
8us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Indemnity | Real estate | Priced via unobservable inputs    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 7us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_UnobservableInputsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 10,336us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
9,857us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Total 13,483us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
13,151us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Fixed maturities    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 9,499us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
9,007us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 9,330us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 162us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_MarketComparablesBrokerQuoteMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 7us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_InternalModelingMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 738us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
710us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 716us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 21us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_MarketComparablesBrokerQuoteMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
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/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Common stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 99us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
140us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Trading and available-for-sale securities 3,195erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Common stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Trading and available-for-sale securities 3,180erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Common stock | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Trading and available-for-sale securities 15erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_InternalModelingMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Real estate    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 51us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
71us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Exchange | Real estate | Priced via unobservable inputs    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 51us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
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/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1    
Fair value by pricing source    
Total 3,570us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
3,691us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 15us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
15us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Total 15us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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15us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity | Fixed maturities    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
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= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity | Fixed maturities | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity | Fixed maturities | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 2us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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2us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 2us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity | Common stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 13us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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13us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity | Common stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 13us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity | Real estate    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
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0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Indemnity | Real estate | Priced via unobservable inputs    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_UnobservableInputsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 474us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
468us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Total 3,555us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
3,676us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Fixed maturities    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_MarketComparablesBrokerQuoteMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_InternalModelingMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 375us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
328us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 375us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_MarketComparablesBrokerQuoteMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_InternalModelingMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Common stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 99us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
140us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Trading and available-for-sale securities 3,180erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Common stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Trading and available-for-sale securities 3,180erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Common stock | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Trading and available-for-sale securities 0erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_InternalModelingMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Real estate    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 1 | Exchange | Real estate | Priced via unobservable inputs    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_UnobservableInputsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2    
Fair value by pricing source    
Total 10,338us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
9,863us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 566us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
574us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Total 566us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
574us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity | Fixed maturities    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 556us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
564us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity | Fixed maturities | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 555us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity | Fixed maturities | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_MarketComparablesBrokerQuoteMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 10us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
10us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 8us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 2us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_MarketComparablesBrokerQuoteMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity | Common stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity | Common stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity | Real estate    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Indemnity | Real estate | Priced via unobservable inputs    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_UnobservableInputsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RealEstateFundsMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 9,772us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
9,289us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Total 9,772us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
9,289us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Fixed maturities    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 9,410us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
8,908us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 9,330us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_PricingServicesMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 80us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_MarketComparablesBrokerQuoteMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ erie_FairValueMeasurementsFairValuePricingSourcesAxis
= erie_InternalModelingMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
 
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 362us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NonredeemablePreferredStockMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
381us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 341us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 21us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Common stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Common stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Trading and available-for-sale securities 0erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Common stock | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Trading and available-for-sale securities 0erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Real estate    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 2 | Exchange | Real estate | Priced via unobservable inputs    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 0us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3    
Fair value by pricing source    
Total 163us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Total 7us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity | Fixed maturities    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity | Fixed maturities | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity | Fixed maturities | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity | Common stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity | Common stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity | Real estate    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 7us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Indemnity | Real estate | Priced via unobservable inputs    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 7us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 90us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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100us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Total 156us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Fixed maturities    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 89us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 82us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Fixed maturities | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 7us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via market comparables/broker quotes    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Nonredeemable preferred stock | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Common stock    
Fair value by pricing source    
Available-for-sale securities 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
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Trading and available-for-sale securities 15erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Common stock | Priced via pricing services    
Fair value by pricing source    
Trading and available-for-sale securities 0erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Common stock | Priced via internal modeling    
Fair value by pricing source    
Trading and available-for-sale securities 15erie_TradingAndAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Real estate    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 51us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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71us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a recurring basis | Level 3 | Exchange | Real estate | Priced via unobservable inputs    
Fair value by pricing source    
Other investments 51us-gaap_AlternativeInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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Fair value measurements on a nonrecurring basis    
Fair value by pricing source    
Total $ 0us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
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