News

by Erie Insurance on May 13, 2019
Source: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/home-survey-2019

These stainless steel appliances show EVERY fingerprint!
Is that how much it’ll cost to refinish our hardwood floors!?
I thought I’d love these granite countertops… but I’m so over them!

Ever experience a homebuyer’s hangover? You’re not alone. What seemed like a great feature during that walk-through gradually loses its sparkle when you’re living with it every day.

Our latest national survey asked 500 U.S. homeowners what they would – and wouldn’t – choose again if they were buying a home today.

Here’s what we found out.

WHAT DO HOMEOWNERS REGRET MOST?

By a slight margin, the majority of homeowners said they wouldn’t change anything. More than half of U.S. homeowners (53%) said they’re happy with the features they chose. The rest (47%), however, admitted to some regrets.

Infographic: See More Results From Our Homeowner Hindsight Survey

The survey asked homeowners about features they wanted and got when they bought their home, but wouldn’t get again if they were buying a home today. It also asked about features homeowners did not get but now wish they had. Continue reading “Buyer’s Remorse: Can You Guess What Homeowners Regret Most?” →

by Erie Insurance on May 2, 2019
Source: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/totaled-car

The first step in determining whether a car is totaled (or, in insurance terms, a total loss) is to calculate its actual cash value (ACV) at the time of the loss. The ACV is how much your vehicle is worth after factoring in depreciation. On average, vehicles depreciate more than 20 percent the first year and approximately 10 percent each additional year for the first five years according to Carfax data.

How is total loss value calculated?

At Erie Insurance, a claims adjuster assesses your vehicle’s condition. Then, they run the make, model and year of your vehicle through an industry-leading vendor database.  The database generates an accurate estimate of your vehicle’s market value based on its mileage, condition, options and other comparative factors. The database also considers the demand for a particular vehicle in your local market. For example, a pickup truck could fetch a higher price in a rural area than in a heavily populated city.

Another factor is the resale value of the parts and the metal. This factor, known as the “salvage value,” is considered along with the cost of repair.

If a vehicle’s cost of repair plus its salvage value exceeds the vehicle’s ACV, it is typically declared a total loss. (One exception is certain state laws that require insurance companies to declare a vehicle a total loss even if the cost of repair and salvage value are less than the ACV.) Continue reading “When is a Car Considered Totaled – And What Happens When It Is?” →

by Leah Knapp on April 4, 2019
Source: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/seven-benefits-of-driving-stick-shift

You know the great thing about driving a car with an automatic transmission? They’re so much fun. The thrill of shifting from park into drive is just exhilarating…said no one ever.

Thirteen years ago, I was in the market for a new car when I found it: a beautiful Saab 9-3 in pristine condition and heated seats. Heated seats! (Please keep in mind this was long before those things were mainstream.)

The dealer was willing to negotiate, putting that beauty well within my price range. There was just one, tiny glitch. It had a stick shift, and I didn’t know how to drive one of those.

“No problem,” said my then boyfriend, who helpfully test drove it, assured me it was a great find and then got it home for me.

All that was left was to learn how to drive it. After a couple weeks of frustrating (and sometimes harrowing) commutes, I more or less had it figured out and never looked back. I’ve since traded in my beloved Saab for a Volkswagen. The one requirement I had when I was looking for a car the second time around? It had to have a manual transmission. Continue reading “7 Benefits of Driving Stick Shift” →

Justin Metz on April 5, 2019
Source: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/how-to-freeze-your-credit

If you’re like most Americans, you probably rely on the internet to do everything from buying birthday presents and booking vacations to managing your bank account and paying bills.

But for every transaction you make, you’re trusting a company with some type of personal information. And even if you’re not making purchases online yourself, most corporate systems are still connected to the internet. All this means that your personal data is likely being stored in dozens, or maybe even hundreds, of online databases.

Learn More: How to Add Identity Theft Recovery Coverage to Your Policy

Data security is a hot topic these days – and rightfully so. With so many high-profile data breaches in the news, we all know that it’s possible for personal information to get into the wrong hands.

If you’re looking for an extra layer of protection, you may want to consider freezing your credit. Continue reading “How to Freeze Your Credit (and When You Might Need To)” →

by Matt Hubert on November 12, 2012
Source: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/weird-car-noises-mean

The purr of an engine, the whoosh of the wind and the sound of a bass pulsating in time to your favorite song: No doubt about it—your car can serve up some pretty sweet sounds.

But there are plenty of car noises that aren’t so pleasant. From clunks and clicks to rumbles and rattles, your car usually speaks up when something needs to be fixed. But do you know what it’s trying to tell you?

To help you decipher, here are car experts’ insights into six of the most common car complaints.
Continue reading “Weird Car Noises and What They Mean” →

by Justin Metz on March 7, 2019
Source: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/couch-to-5k

If you’re looking for motivation to get off the couch, running a 5K is a great fitness goal to work toward. Don’t be intimidated by the number. At a distance of just over three miles, a good training program can have you crossing the finish line of your first 5K in just a few months.

Where to start

There are plenty of benefits to running for exercise. It’s been proven to improve both your physical and mental health. And because you can run nearly anywhere, it’s an activity that’s accessible to anyone.

But you should first talk to your doctor to see if you’re healthy enough to start training. Once you’re cleared to begin, it’s time to set your goal and get to work!

What to expect

The biggest rookie mistake many aspiring runners make is trying to do too much, too fast. This can lead to an injury, which will set you back from achieving your goal. So don’t overdo it during your first few workouts. Instead, follow a 5K training plan.

Related: 7 Tricks to Stay Motivated About Your New Year’s Resolution… All Year Long

Most programs give you about 8-12 weeks of training leading up to the race, which helps you steadily build stamina. You can start with an online training plan, like this series of 5K training programs from Runners World. Some are more aggressive than others, so be sure to choose one that’s a good fit for your level of fitness and running experience.
Continue reading “How to Move From the Couch to a 5K” →

by Justin Metz on February 27, 2019
Source: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/family-movie-night

Movie nights are a great way to relax and make memories with your family. But sometimes, coming up with new ways to keep everyone entertained can be harder than it seems.

As children get older, their interests change. And parents can get tired of the same old thing, too. (Time for a grown-up movie night? Read these tips for hosting a viewing party.)

So, while there’s nothing wrong with popping some microwave popcorn and loading up Netflix… you don’t want your family time to be mundane or forgettable.

Here are some suggestions for turning your family movie night into memories that last:
Continue reading “4 Creative Ideas for Family Movie Night” →

by Carolyn Sennett on September 29, 2017
Source: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/four-tips-from-shark-tank

If you’re looking for business inspiration, check out the television show Shark Tank. 

The popular reality show features entrepreneurs who pitch business ideas to a panel of potential investors (aka the sharks). The inventors and small business owners are looking to boost their business growth with an infusion of funding and sales expertise from the sharks. Their 90-second spiels may soar successfully or sink quickly during their televised pitch meetings.

The types of business owners who come to the show to make a deal range from cupcake bakers and food truck chefs to clothing makers and gadget creators. Some successful products that got a huge boost from the show are the Scrub Daddy sponge and the ReadeREST, a magnetic eyeglass holder that stays clipped to a shirt.

So what business lessons can Shark Tank teach us? Here are four TV-inspired tips to help keep your business pushing forward this year. Continue reading “4 Business Tips from the Hit TV Show Shark Tank” →

by Erie Insurance on November 29, 2018
Source: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/all-about-snow-tires

Before the first snow falls, you’ll want to freshen up your car emergency kit, check the antifreeze and throw in that bag of kitty litter in case you need a little extra traction.

And speaking of traction: How are your tires?

If you think your tires aren’t up to the job of winter driving, it’s time to swap them for a set of snow tires. Here’s what you need to know.

How do snow tires work?

Continue reading “What You Need to Know About Snow Tires” →

by Erie Insurance on January 18, 2018
Source: https://www.erieinsurance.com/blog/keep-cold-out-of-house

There’s nothing like returning to a warm home when it’s freezing outside.

Yet cold air has many sneaky ways to follow you into your home. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to keep yours toasty all winter long. These 12 tips will help you keep cold air from entering your house. Continue reading “A Dozen Easy Ways to Keep Cold Air from Entering Your House” →