Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 15, 2016
Entity Registrant Name	ERIE INDEMNITY CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000922621
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Class A
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		46,189,068
Class B
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,542