Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	Basis of presentation The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2020.
Use of estimates	Use of estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recently adopted accounting standards	Recently adopted accounting standards In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses", which requires financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected through the use of a new forward-looking current expected credit loss model and credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities to be recognized through an allowance for credit losses. We adopted this guidance, which applies to our receivable from Erie Insurance Exchange and affiliates, agent loans and investments, on January 1, 2020. For assets measured at amortized cost for which a current expected credit loss allowance was required, we adopted the guidance using the modified-retrospective approach. At January 1, 2020, we recorded current expected credit loss allowances related to agent loans of $0.8 million and receivables from Erie Insurance Exchange and affiliates of $0.6 million. This resulted in the recording of a cumulative effect adjustment, net of taxes, to retained earnings of $1.1 million. Our available-for-sale investments are not measured at amortized cost, and therefore do not require the use of a current expected credit loss model. Any credit losses, however, are required to be recorded as an allowance for credit losses rather than a reduction of the carrying value of the asset. For available-for-sale securities, we adopted the guidance using the prospective approach and recorded an initial allowance for credit losses of $0.6 million at March 31, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Statements of Financial Position, net income or net cash flows.
Investments	Investments Available-for-sale securities – Fixed maturity debt securities and redeemable preferred stock are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized investment gains and losses, net of income taxes, recognized in other comprehensive income. Available-for-sale securities with a remaining maturity of 12 months or less and any security that we intend to sell as of the reporting date are classified as current assets. Available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated to determine whether the impairment is a result of credit loss or other factors. If we have the intent to sell or it's more likely than not that we would be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis, the entire impairment is recognized in earnings. Securities that have experienced a decline in fair value that we do not intend to sell, and that we will not be required to sell before recovery, are evaluated to determine if the decline in fair value is credit related. Impairment resulting from a credit loss is recognized in earnings with a corresponding allowance on the balance sheet. Future recoveries of credit loss result in an adjustment to the allowance and earnings in the period the credit conditions improve. Factors considered in the evaluation of credit loss include the extent to which fair value is less than cost and fundamental factors specific to the issuer such as financial condition, changes in credit ratings, near and long-term business prospects and other factors, as well as the likelihood of recovery of the amortized cost of the security. If the qualitative review indicates credit impairment, the allowance for credit loss is measured as the amount that the security’s amortized cost exceeds the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and is limited to the amount that fair value is below amortized cost. Realized gains and losses and investment income – Realized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale and equity securities are recognized in income based upon the specific identification method and reported as net realized investment gains (losses). Interest income is recognized as earned and includes amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Income is recognized based on the constant effective yield method, which includes periodically updated prepayment assumptions obtained from third party data sources on our prepaying securities. The effective yield for prepaying securities is recalculated on a retrospective basis. Dividend income is recognized at the ex-dividend date. Both interest and dividend income are reported as net investment income. We do not record an allowance for credit losses on accrued investment income as any amount deemed uncollectible is reversed from interest income in the period the expected payment defaults.
Agent loans	Agent loansAgent loans, the majority of which are senior secured, are carried at unpaid principal balance with interest recorded in investment income as earned. The current portion of agent loans is recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 requires the recording of a current expected credit loss allowance on these loans. The allowance is estimated using available loss history and/or external loss rates based on comparable loan losses and considers current conditions and forecasted information. When establishing the expected credit loss allowance upon implementation of ASU 2016-13, a cumulative effect adjustment was recorded to beginning retained earnings. Future changes to the allowance will be recognized in earnings as adjustments to net impairment losses. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, we did not record an allowance for credit losses as the majority of these loans are senior secured and have had insignificant default amounts.
Other assets	Other assets Other assets include operating lease assets and other long-term prepaid assets. The determination of whether an arrangement is a lease, and the related lease classification, is made at inception of a contract. Our leases are classified as operating leases. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recorded at inception based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. When an implicit rate for the lease is not available, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date to determine the present value of future payments. Lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Most of our lease contracts contain lease and non-lease components. Non-lease components are expensed as incurred. Operating lease assets are included in other assets, and the current and noncurrent portions of the operating lease liabilities are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities, respectively.
Earnings per share	Class A and Class B basic earnings per share and Class B diluted earnings per share are calculated under the two-class method. The two-class method allocates earnings to each class of stock based upon its dividend rights. Class B shares are convertible into Class A shares at a conversion ratio of 2,400 to 1. See Note 11, "Capital Stock".Class A diluted earnings per share are calculated under the if-converted method, which reflects the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares. Diluted earnings per share calculations include the dilutive effect of assumed issuance of stock-based awards under compensation plans that have the option to be paid in stock using the treasury stock method.
Fair value of financial instruments	Financial instruments carried at fair value Our available-for-sale and equity securities are recorded at fair value, which is the price that would be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction between willing market participants as of the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to derive the fair value of our available-for-sale and equity securities are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions regarding fair market value for these securities. Financial instruments are categorized based upon the following characteristics or inputs to the valuation techniques: •Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date. •Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. •Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Estimates of fair values for our investment portfolio are obtained primarily from a nationally recognized pricing service. Our Level 1 securities are valued using an exchange traded price provided by the pricing service. Pricing service valuations for Level 2 securities include multiple verifiable, observable inputs including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data. Pricing service valuations for Level 3 securities are based upon proprietary models and are used when observable inputs are not available or in illiquid markets. Although virtually all of our prices are obtained from third party sources, we also perform internal pricing reviews, including evaluating the methodology and inputs used to ensure that we determine the proper classification level of the financial instrument and reviewing securities with price changes that vary significantly from current market conditions or independent price sources. Price variances are investigated and corroborated by market data and transaction volumes. We have reviewed the pricing methodologies of our pricing service as well as other observable inputs and believe that the prices adequately consider market activity in determining fair value. In limited circumstances we adjust the price received from the pricing service when, in our judgment, a better reflection of fair value is available based upon corroborating information and our knowledge and monitoring of market conditions such as a disparity in price of comparable securities and/or non-binding broker quotes. In other circumstances, certain securities are internally priced because prices are not provided by the pricing service. When a price from the pricing service is not available, values are determined by obtaining broker/dealer quotes and/or market comparables. When available, we obtain multiple quotes for the same security. The ultimate value for these securities is determined based upon our best estimate of fair value using corroborating market information. As of June 30, 2020, nearly all of our available-for-sale and equity securities were priced using a third party pricing service.
Commitments and contingencies	We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of conducting business. In accordance with current accounting standards for loss contingencies and based upon information currently known to us, we establish reserves for litigation when it is probable that a loss associated with a claim or proceeding has been incurred and the amount of the loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. When no amount within the range of loss is a better estimate than any other amount, we accrue the minimum amount of the estimable loss. To the extent that such litigation against us may have an exposure to a loss in excess of the amount we have accrued, we believe that such excess would not be material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Legal fees are expensed as incurred. We believe that our accruals for legal proceedings are appropriate and, individually and in the aggregate, are not expected to be material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. We review all litigation on an ongoing basis when making accrual and disclosure decisions. For certain legal proceedings, we cannot reasonably estimate losses or a range of loss, if any, particularly for proceedings that are in their early stages of development or where the plaintiffs seek indeterminate damages. Various factors, including, but not limited to, the outcome of potentially lengthy discovery and the resolution of important factual questions, may need to be determined before probability can be established or before a loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. If the loss contingency in question is not both probable and reasonably estimable, we do not establish an accrual and the matter will continue to be monitored for any developments that would make the loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. In the event that a legal proceeding results in a substantial judgment against, or settlement by, us, there can be no assurance that any resulting liability or financial commitment would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2020.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently adopted accounting standards

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses", which requires financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected through the use of a new forward-looking current expected credit loss model and credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities to be recognized through an allowance for credit losses. We adopted this guidance, which applies to our receivable from Erie Insurance Exchange and affiliates, agent loans and investments, on January 1, 2020.

For assets measured at amortized cost for which a current expected credit loss allowance was required, we adopted the guidance using the modified-retrospective approach. At January 1, 2020, we recorded current expected credit loss allowances related to agent loans of $0.8 million and receivables from Erie Insurance Exchange and affiliates of $0.6 million. This resulted in the recording of a cumulative effect adjustment, net of taxes, to retained earnings of $1.1 million. Our available-for-sale investments are not measured at amortized cost, and therefore do not require the use of a current expected credit loss model. Any credit losses, however, are required to be recorded as an allowance for credit losses rather than a reduction of the carrying value of the asset. For available-for-sale securities, we adopted the guidance using the prospective approach and recorded an initial allowance for credit losses of $0.6 million at March 31, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Statements of Financial Position, net income or net cash flows.

Investments

Available-for-sale securities – Fixed maturity debt securities and redeemable preferred stock are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized investment gains and losses, net of income taxes, recognized in other comprehensive income. Available-for-sale securities with a remaining maturity of 12 months or less and any security that we intend to sell as of the reporting date are classified as current assets.

Available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position are evaluated to determine whether the impairment is a result of credit loss or other factors. If we have the intent to sell or it's more likely than not that we would be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis, the entire impairment is recognized in earnings. Securities that have experienced a decline in fair value that we do not intend to sell, and that we will not be required to sell before recovery, are evaluated to determine if the decline in fair value is credit related. Impairment resulting from a credit loss is recognized in earnings with a corresponding allowance on the balance sheet. Future recoveries of credit loss result in an adjustment to the allowance and earnings in the period the credit conditions improve. Factors considered in the evaluation of credit loss include the extent to which fair value is less than cost and fundamental factors specific to the issuer such as financial condition, changes in credit ratings, near and long-term business prospects and other factors, as well as the likelihood of recovery of the amortized cost of the security. If the qualitative review indicates credit impairment, the allowance for credit loss is measured as the amount that the security’s amortized cost exceeds the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and is limited to the amount that fair value is below amortized cost.

Realized gains and losses and investment income – Realized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale and equity securities are recognized in income based upon the specific identification method and reported as net realized investment gains (losses). Interest income is recognized as earned and includes amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Income is recognized based on the constant effective yield method, which includes periodically updated prepayment assumptions obtained from third party data sources on our prepaying securities. The effective yield for prepaying securities is recalculated on a retrospective basis. Dividend income is recognized at the ex-dividend date. Both interest and dividend income are reported as net investment income. We do not record an allowance for credit losses on accrued investment income as any amount deemed uncollectible is reversed from interest income in the period the expected payment defaults.

Agent loans

Agent loansAgent loans, the majority of which are senior secured, are carried at unpaid principal balance with interest recorded in investment income as earned. The current portion of agent loans is recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 requires the recording of a current expected credit loss allowance on these loans. The allowance is estimated using available loss history and/or external loss rates based on comparable loan losses and considers current conditions and forecasted information. When establishing the expected credit loss allowance upon implementation of ASU 2016-13, a cumulative effect adjustment was recorded to beginning retained earnings. Future changes to the allowance will be recognized in earnings as adjustments to net impairment losses. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, we did not record an allowance for credit losses as the majority of these loans are senior secured and have had insignificant default amounts.

Other assets

Other assets include operating lease assets and other long-term prepaid assets. The determination of whether an arrangement is a lease, and the related lease classification, is made at inception of a contract. Our leases are classified as operating leases. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recorded at inception based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. When an implicit rate for the lease is not available, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date to determine the present value of future payments. Lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Most of our lease contracts contain lease and non-lease components. Non-lease components are expensed as incurred. Operating lease assets are included in other assets, and the current and noncurrent portions of the operating lease liabilities are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities, respectively.

Earnings per share

Class A and Class B basic earnings per share and Class B diluted earnings per share are calculated under the two-class method. The two-class method allocates earnings to each class of stock based upon its dividend rights. Class B shares are convertible into Class A shares at a conversion ratio of 2,400 to 1. See Note 11, "Capital Stock".Class A diluted earnings per share are calculated under the if-converted method, which reflects the conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares. Diluted earnings per share calculations include the dilutive effect of assumed issuance of stock-based awards under compensation plans that have the option to be paid in stock using the treasury stock method.

Fair value of financial instruments

Financial instruments carried at fair value

Our available-for-sale and equity securities are recorded at fair value, which is the price that would be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction between willing market participants as of the measurement date.

Valuation techniques used to derive the fair value of our available-for-sale and equity securities are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions regarding fair market value for these securities. Financial instruments are categorized based upon the following characteristics or inputs to the valuation techniques:

•Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date.

•Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

•Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

Estimates of fair values for our investment portfolio are obtained primarily from a nationally recognized pricing service. Our Level 1 securities are valued using an exchange traded price provided by the pricing service. Pricing service valuations for Level 2 securities include multiple verifiable, observable inputs including benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data. Pricing service valuations for Level 3 securities are based upon proprietary models and are used when observable inputs are not available or in illiquid markets.

Although virtually all of our prices are obtained from third party sources, we also perform internal pricing reviews, including evaluating the methodology and inputs used to ensure that we determine the proper classification level of the financial instrument and reviewing securities with price changes that vary significantly from current market conditions or independent price sources. Price variances are investigated and corroborated by market data and transaction volumes. We have reviewed the pricing methodologies of our pricing service as well as other observable inputs and believe that the prices adequately consider market activity in determining fair value.

In limited circumstances we adjust the price received from the pricing service when, in our judgment, a better reflection of fair value is available based upon corroborating information and our knowledge and monitoring of market conditions such as a disparity in price of comparable securities and/or non-binding broker quotes. In other circumstances, certain securities are internally priced because prices are not provided by the pricing service.

When a price from the pricing service is not available, values are determined by obtaining broker/dealer quotes and/or market comparables. When available, we obtain multiple quotes for the same security. The ultimate value for these securities is determined based upon our best estimate of fair value using corroborating market information. As of June 30, 2020, nearly all of our available-for-sale and equity securities were priced using a third party pricing service.

Commitments and contingencies

We are involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of conducting business. In accordance with current accounting standards for loss contingencies and based upon information currently known to us, we establish reserves for litigation when it is probable that a loss associated with a claim or proceeding has been incurred and the amount of the loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. When no amount within the range of loss is a better estimate than any other amount, we accrue the minimum amount of the estimable loss. To the extent that such litigation against us may have an exposure to a loss in excess of the amount we have accrued, we believe that such excess would not be material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Legal fees are expensed as incurred. We believe that our accruals for legal proceedings are appropriate and, individually and in the aggregate, are not expected to be material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

We review all litigation on an ongoing basis when making accrual and disclosure decisions. For certain legal proceedings, we cannot reasonably estimate losses or a range of loss, if any, particularly for proceedings that are in their early stages of development or where the plaintiffs seek indeterminate damages. Various factors, including, but not limited to, the outcome of potentially lengthy discovery and the resolution of important factual questions, may need to be determined before probability can be established or before a loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. If the loss contingency in question is not both probable and reasonably estimable, we do not establish an accrual and the matter will continue to be monitored for any developments that would make the loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. In the event that a legal proceeding results in a substantial judgment against, or settlement by, us, there can be no assurance that any resulting liability or financial commitment would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.