ERIE, Pa. - September 13, 2001 - Earlier this week during a regularly scheduled board meeting, the Board of Directors of the Erie Indemnity Company established a search committee to identify the eventual replacement of President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen A. Milne. The board took this action now to ensure ample time to conduct a successful process.

In November 1999, Milne announced that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Since that time, Milne has continued to effectively serve as the company's CEO and will continue to do so for an undetermined period of time.

Erie Indemnity Company is the principal management company for the member companies of the Erie Insurance Group, which includes the Erie Insurance Exchange, Flagship City Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property and Casualty Company, Erie Insurance Company of New York and Erie Family Life Insurance Company.

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 18th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 29th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines premium written. The Group has more than 3.2 million policies in force and operates in 11 states and the District of Columbia. A.M. Best Company rates Erie Insurance A++ (superior).