ERIE, Pa. (July 20, 2012) - For the fifth year in a row, Ward Group has named Erie Insurance to its Ward's 50 list of top performing property and casualty companies. The Ward's 50 is based on analysis of the financial performance of 3,000 property-casualty insurers and recognizes the top performers for achieving outstanding results in the areas of safety, consistency and financial performance over a five-year period (2007-2011). This is the 15th time ERIE has been on the list, published annually since 1991.

"One of our goals is to deliver on our promise of great protection and superior service. But great protection doesn't just mean coverage. People want to know that their insurance company has outstanding financial stability and will be there for them when they need it most," said Terrence W. Cavanaugh, ERIE president and chief executive officer. "Being included on the Ward's 50 list five years in a row reaffirms the financial stability that our customers, agents and employees rely on."

Ward Group is a consulting firm specializing in the insurance industry and leading provider of industry benchmarking and best practices services.

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 15th largest automobile and homeowners 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 over 4.3 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.

CONTACT:
Leah Knapp, Erie Insurance
814/449-6792, leah.knapp@erieinsurance.com