Related Party (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions
Cash settlements for payments made by Indemnity on the account of related parties	$ 125,812	$ 114,735	$ 245,767	$ 225,802
Erie Insurance Exchange (EIE)
Related Party Transactions
Cash settlements for payments made by Indemnity on the account of related parties	115,868	104,530	226,263	207,046
Erie Family Life Insurance Company (EFL)
Related Party Transactions
Cash settlements for payments made by Indemnity on the account of related parties	$ 9,944	$ 10,205	$ 19,504	$ 18,756