Supplementary Data on Cash Flows (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Schedule of reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in millions)	Erie Insurance Group
	2012			2011			2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	619		$	268		$	660
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	17			4			12
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	715			680			652
Impairment of goodwill	—			—			22
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	118			(105		)	342
Realized (gains) losses and impairments on investments	(418		)	6			(307		)
Equity in earnings of limited partnerships	(131		)	(149		)	(128		)
Net amortization of bond premium	28			26			9
Increase in deferred compensation	2			4			7
Limited partnership distributions	164			166			122
(Increase) decrease in receivables, reinsurance recoverables and reserve credits	(166		)	91			(158		)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses	63			(56		)	10
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(743		)	(701		)	(667		)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(28		)	83			18
Increase in accrued commissions and agent bonuses	20			4			1
Increase (decrease) in loss reserves	99			(85		)	(11		)
Increase in future life policy benefits and claims reserves	31			28			21
Increase in unearned premiums	187			96			116
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	577		$	360		$	721