Erie Insurance makes it easier for people with disabilities to get the information they need

ERIE, Pa., Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Anyone who has difficulty typing, moving a mouse or reading can now navigate www.erieinsurance.com, the website for Erie Insurance (NASDAQ: ERIE), a little easier. Thanks to a partnership between ERIE and eSSENTIAL Accessibility™, site visitors with physical disabilities can download a free app to help navigate the site and find products like home insurance and car insurance.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20041112/ERIELOGO )

According to eSSENTIAL Accessibility, Erie Insurance is the first U.S. property and casualty company to offer its technology, which includes a hands-free movement tracking system, a word predictor to reduce typing, a page reader, and a customizable browser toolbar. ERIE is now a part of the Disability Community Involvement Initiative that is championed by leading advocacy groups.

"Our long-standing mission is to be 'Above all in service' and we're offering eSSENTIAL Accessibility technology to provide more inclusive service to our customers with physical disabilities," said Tesha Nesbit Arrington, director of diversity and inclusion at Erie Insurance.

"Almost one in five Americans is living with a disability," said Simon Dermer, managing director of eSSENTIAL Accessibility. "In offering free assistive technology on their website, Erie Insurance recognizes the importance of inclusion. By taking part in this initiative they join a growing number of forward-thinking companies that are creating economic and social value by factoring people with disabilities into their planning."

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 15th largest homeowners insurer and 12^th 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 nearly 4.5 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.

About eSSENTIAL Accessibility
eSSENTIAL Accessibility is an assistive technology application that helps bridge the gap between people with disabilities and the organizations and brands they know and trust. It's a virtual wheelchair for websites that empowers users with dexterity and visual limitations and also helps those who have difficulty reading due to literacy concerns, limited English proficiency, dyslexia, or mild visual impairment. Organizations feature eSSENTIAL Accessibility as part of a Disability Community Involvement Initiative and the symbol displayed on the website acts as an interactive icon through which assistive technology can be downloaded free of charge. eSSENTIAL Accessibility does not ensure conformance with World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). For more information, please visit www.essentialaccessibility.com.

SOURCE Erie Insurance

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