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Apr 29, 2013

Erie Indemnity Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

Erie Indemnity Reports First Quarter 2013 Results Earnings Release Table Investor Supplement Erie, Pa. - April 29, 2013 - Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ: ERIE) today announced first quarter 2013 earnings of $37 million, compared to earnings of $36 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Erie Indemnity Reports First Quarter 2013 Results

Earnings Release Table

Investor Supplement

Erie, Pa. - April 29, 2013 - Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ: ERIE) today announced first quarter 2013 earnings of $37 million, compared to earnings of $36 million in the first quarter of 2012. Operating income was $37 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared to operating income of $34 million in the first quarter of 2012.

The following tables and discussion show the operating results attributable to the Indemnity shareholder interest in the Erie Indemnity Company owned by the Class A and Class B shareholders for the first quarter of 2013.

In the first quarter of 2013, we repurchased 189,563 shares of our outstanding Class A nonvoting common stock at a total cost of $14 million, based upon trade date, in conjunction with our current stock repurchase program. For the year through April 19, 2013, we repurchased 195,673 shares under this program at a total cost of $14 million. In October 2011, our Board of Directors approved a continuation of the current stock repurchase program for a total of $150 million, with no time limitation. This repurchase authority included, and was not in addition to, any unspent amounts remaining under the prior authorization. As of April 19, 2013, we had approximately $54 million in repurchase authority remaining under the program.

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 15th largest homeowners insurer and 12th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 20th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has more than 4.6 million policies in force and operates in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500 company. Erie Insurance is proud to be named a J.D. Power and Associates' 2012 Customer Service Champion. ERIE is one of only 50 U.S. companies so named. Erie Insurance is also recognized on the list of Ward's 50 Group of top performing insurance companies, which analyzes the financial performance of 3,000 property and casualty companies and recognizes the top performers for achieving outstanding results in safety, consistency and financial performance over a five-year period (2007-2011).

News releases and more information about Erie Insurance Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.

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"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Statements contained herein that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements and, as such, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ, perhaps materially, from those discussed herein. Forward-looking statements relate to future trends, events or results and include, without limitation, statements and assumptions on which such statements are based that are related to our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources. Examples of forward-looking statements are discussions relating to premium and investment income, expenses, operating results, agency relationships, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Among the risks and uncertainties, in addition to those set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results and future events to differ from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements include the following:

Risk factors related to the Indemnity shareholder interest:

  • dependence on Indemnity's relationship with the Exchange and the management fee under the agreement with the subscribers at the Exchange;
  • costs of providing services to the Exchange under the subscriber's agreement;
  • ability to attract and retain talented management and employees;
  • ability to maintain uninterrupted business operations, including information technology systems;
  • factors affecting the quality and liquidity of Indemnity's investment portfolio;
  • credit risk from the Exchange;
  • Indemnity's ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital; and
  • outcome of pending and potential litigation against Indemnity.

Risk factors related to the non-controlling interest owned by the Exchange, which includes the Property and Casualty Group and EFL:

  • general business and economic conditions;
  • dependence upon the independent agency system;
  • ability to maintain our reputation for customer service;
  • factors affecting insurance industry competition;
  • changes in government regulation of the insurance industry;
  • premium rates and reserves must be established from forecasts of ultimate costs;
  • emerging claims, coverage issues in the industry, and changes in reserve estimates related to the property and casualty business;
  • changes in reserve estimates related to the life business;
  • severe weather conditions or other catastrophic losses, including terrorism;
  • the Exchange's ability to acquire reinsurance coverage and collectability from reinsurers;
  • factors affecting the quality and liquidity of the Exchange's investment portfolio;
  • the Exchange's ability to meet liquidity needs and access capital;
  • the Exchange's ability to maintain acceptable financial strength rating;
  • outcome of pending and potential litigation against the Exchange; and
  • dependence upon the service provided by Indemnity.

A forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and reflects Indemnity's analysis only as of that date. Indemnity undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.