Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of components of the Consolidated Statements of Operations by reportable business segment

	Erie Insurance Group
	Year ended December 31, 2012
(in millions)	Management operations		Property and casualty insurance operations			Life insurance operations			Investment operations		Eliminations			Consolidated
Premiums earned/life policy revenue			$	4,422		$	73				$	(2	)	$	4,493
Net investment income									$	449	(11		)	438
Net realized investment gains									418					418
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings									0					0
Equity in earnings of limited partnerships									131					131
Management fee revenue	$	1,157									(1,157		)	—
Service agreement and other revenue	31					1								32
Total revenues	1,188		4,422			74			998		(1,170		)	5,512
Cost of management operations	983										(983		)	—
Insurance losses and loss expenses			3,384			101					(5		)	3,480
Policy acquisition and underwriting expenses			1,284			31					(182		)	1,133
Total benefits and expenses	983		4,668			132			—		(1,170		)	4,613
Income (loss) before income taxes	205		(246		)	(58		)	998		—			899
Provision for income taxes	72		(86		)	(20		)	314		—			280
Net income (loss)	$	133	$	(160	)	$	(38	)	$	684	$	—		$	619

	Erie Insurance Group
	Year ended December 31, 2011
(in millions)	Management operations		Property and casualty insurance operations			Life insurance operations			Investment operations			Eliminations			Consolidated
Premiums earned/life policy revenue			$	4,149		$	67					$	(2	)	$	4,214
Net investment income									$	444		(11		)	433
Net realized investment losses									(4		)				(4		)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings									(2		)				(2		)
Equity in earnings of limited partnerships									149						149
Management fee revenue	$	1,067										(1,067		)	—
Service agreement and other revenue	33					1									34
Total revenues	1,100		4,149			68			587			(1,080		)	4,824
Cost of management operations	892											(892		)	—
Insurance losses and loss expenses			3,349			100						(5		)	3,444
Policy acquisition and underwriting expenses			1,178			27						(183		)	1,022
Total benefits and expenses	892		4,527			127			—			(1,080		)	4,466
Income (loss) before income taxes	208		(378		)	(59		)	587			—			358
Provision for income taxes	73		(132		)	(21		)	170			—			90
Net income (loss)	$	135	$	(246	)	$	(38	)	$	417		$	—		$	268

	Erie Insurance Group
	Year ended December 31, 2010
(in millions)	Management operations		Property and casualty insurance operations			Life insurance operations			Investment operations			Eliminations			Consolidated
Premiums earned/life policy revenue			$	3,925		$	64					$	(2	)	$	3,987
Net investment income									$	444		(11		)	433
Net realized investment gains									313						313
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings									(6		)				(6		)
Equity in earnings of limited partnerships									128						128
Management fee revenue	$	1,009										(1,009		)	—
Service agreement and other revenue	34					1									35
Total revenues	1,043		3,925			65			879			(1,022		)	4,890
Cost of management operations	841											(841		)	—
Insurance losses and loss expenses			2,815			90						(5		)	2,900
Policy acquisition and underwriting expenses			1,113			32						(176		)	969
Goodwill impairment									22						22
Total benefits and expenses	841		3,928			122			22			(1,022		)	3,891
Income (loss) before income taxes	202		(3		)	(57		)	857			—			999
Provision for income taxes	71		(1		)	(20		)	289			—			339
Net income (loss)	$	131	$	(2	)	$	(37	)	$	568		$	—		$	660