Erie, Pa. -- October 9, 2000 -- Erie Insurance Group today announced its intention to locate its initial branch office in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Earlier this year, the property/casualty and life insurer revealed plans to begin writing insurance in Wisconsin in the fall of 2001. Wisconsin will be the 11th state in which the company does business, in addition to the District of Columbia.

"Situated near Milwaukee and Madison, Waukesha is an ideal location for the ERIE's entry into Wisconsin," says Steve Milne, Erie Insurance Group president and CEO. "We have already received a significant number of inquiries from Wisconsin agents interested in becoming ERIE agents. The results of the recent J.D. Power & Associates inaugural National Auto Insurance Consumer Satisfaction Study will bolster our competitive position within the state and draw even further interest from Wisconsin independent agents."

Erie Insurance currently writes in Indiana, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois and the District of Columbia. With the addition of Wisconsin, The ERIE has created a new region within its operating structure. This new region, the Heartland Region, encompasses Wisconsin, Illinois and the next new state yet to be determined.

Known for competitive rates and superior service since 1925, Erie Insurance Group is the 16th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on surplus and has over 2.9 million policies in force. All of The ERIE’s property/casualty companies hold the A++ Superior rating from A.M. Best, the leading authority of insurance companies. The Erie Family Life Insurance Company holds Best’s A+ Superior rating, the highest rating available for life insurance companies. The Ward Financial Group includes Erie Insurance Group in its list of Top 50 insurers for overall industry performance and safety; only one of 13 companies to be included on Ward’s Top 50 lists for 10 consecutive years.

Group member Erie Insurance Exchange is the 13th largest auto insurer in the country. Erie Indemnity Company (NASDAQ - ERIE) is the management company for Erie Insurance Group, which includes seven companies currently operating in 10 states and the District of Columbia. Celebrating 75 years of service, The ERIE provides a complete line of auto, home, business and life insurance through more than 6,200 independent insurance agents.

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