Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 14, 2016
Entity Registrant Name	ERIE INDEMNITY CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000922621
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Class A
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		46,189,068
Class B
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,542