ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarter ended September 30, 2006
Commission file number 0-24000
ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
PENNSYLVANIA   25-0466020
     
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
100 Erie Insurance Place, Erie, Pennsylvania   16530
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(814) 870-2000
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Not applicable
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ
No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ    Accelerated filer o    Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
The number of shares outstanding of Class A Common Stock, with no par value and a stated value of $.0292 per share was 57,793,808 at October 25, 2006.
The number of shares outstanding of Class B Common Stock with no par value and a stated value of $70 per share was 2,573 at October 25, 2006.
The common stock is the only class of stock the Registrant is presently authorized to issue.
 
 

 


 

INDEX
ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
                 
    September 30     December 31  
    2006     2005  
    (Unaudited)          
ASSETS
               
 
               
INVESTMENTS
               
Fixed maturities at fair value (amortized cost of $786,354 and $962,320, respectively)
  $ 793,165     $ 972,210  
Equity securities at fair value (cost of $223,956 and $249,440, respectively)
    246,579       266,334  
Limited partnerships (cost of $199,985 and $141,405, respectively)
    226,988       153,159  
Real estate mortgage loans
    4,767       4,885  
 
           
Total investments
    1,271,499       1,396,588  
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents
    37,644       31,666  
Accrued investment income
    11,399       13,131  
Premiums receivable from policyholders
    265,104       267,632  
Federal income taxes recoverable
    11,081       15,170  
Reinsurance recoverable from Erie Insurance Exchange on unpaid losses
    828,267       827,126  
Ceded unearned premiums to Erie Insurance Exchange
    120,753       125,579  
Note receivable from Erie Family Life Insurance Company
    25,000       25,000  
Management fee due from Erie Insurance Exchange and other affiliated receivables
    224,140       198,714  
Reinsurance recoverable from non-affiliates
    2,274       1,321  
Deferred policy acquisition costs
    16,855       16,436  
Equity in Erie Family Life Insurance Company
    56,124       55,843  
Securities lending collateral
    23,935       30,831  
Prepaid pension costs
    35,338       38,720  
Other assets
    63,983       57,504  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 2,993,396     $ 3,101,261  
 
           
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
                 
    September 30     December 31  
    2006     2005  
    (Unaudited)          
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
LIABILITIES
               
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
  $ 1,020,538     $ 1,019,459  
Unearned premiums
    449,404       454,409  
Commissions payable and accrued
    201,799       200,459  
Securities lending payable
    23,935       30,831  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    41,465       34,885  
Deferred executive compensation
    23,472       24,447  
Deferred income taxes
    22,200       6,538  
Dividends payable
    20,945       22,172  
Employee benefit obligations
    31,631       29,459  
 
           
Total liabilities
    1,835,389       1,822,659  
 
           
 
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Capital Stock
               
Class A common, stated value $.0292 per share; authorized 74,996,930 shares; 68,224,800 and 67,600,800 shares issued, respectively; 57,793,808 and 61,162,682 shares outstanding, respectively
    1,990       1,972  
Class B common, convertible at a rate of 2,400 Class A shares for one Class B share, stated value $70 per share; 2,573 and 2,833 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, respectively
    180       198  
Additional paid-in capital
    7,830       7,830  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    22,931       21,681  
Retained earnings
    1,596,402       1,501,798  
 
           
Total contributed capital and retained earnings
    1,629,333       1,533,479  
 
               
Treasury stock, at cost, 10,430,992 and 6,438,118 shares, respectively
    (471,326 )     (254,877 )
 
           
Total shareholders’ equity
    1,158,007       1,278,602  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 2,993,396     $ 3,101,261  
 
           
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
OPERATING REVENUE
                               
Management fee revenue — net
  $ 231,388     $ 228,349     $ 688,723     $ 686,475  
Premiums earned
    53,017       53,908       160,868       161,721  
Service agreement revenue
    7,410       5,294       21,508       15,440  
 
                       
Total operating revenue
    291,815       287,551       871,099       863,636  
 
                               
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Cost of management operations
    189,536       184,056       562,629       539,228  
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
    32,573       36,995       101,261       103,457  
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
    12,325       12,637       38,905       36,836  
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    234,434       233,688       702,795       679,521  
 
                               
INVESTMENT INCOME — UNAFFILIATED
                               
Investment income, net of expenses
    12,215       14,755       41,818       45,158  
Net realized (losses) gains on investments
    (872 )     1,765       (721 )     16,457  
Equity in earnings of limited partnerships
    10,848       8,032       29,049       30,788  
 
                       
Total investment income — unaffiliated
    22,191       24,552       70,146       92,403  
 
                       
 
                               
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of Erie Family Life Insurance Co.
    79,572       78,415       238,450       276,518  
 
                               
Provision for income taxes
    27,421       25,930       82,513       92,241  
 
                               
Equity in earnings of Erie Family Life Insurance Co., net of tax
    634       520       2,569       2,667  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 52,785     $ 53,005     $ 158,506     $ 186,944  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income per share — basic
                               
Class A common stock
  $ .91     $ .84     $ 2.67     $ 2.97  
 
                       
Class B common stock
    139.34       128.01       404.46       450.68  
 
                       
Net income per share — diluted
  $ 0.82     $ 0.76     $ 2.41     $ 2.69  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding
                               
Basic:
                               
Class A common stock
    57,873,922       62,415,372       59,179,328       62,650,810  
 
                       
Class B common stock
    2,573       2,843       2,691       2,846  
 
                       
Diluted Shares
    64,129,350       69,320,147       65,717,956       69,562,785  
 
                       
 
                               
Dividends declared per share:
                               
Class A common stock
  $ 0.36     $ 0.325     $ 1.08     $ 0.975  
 
                       
Class B common stock
  $ 54.00     $ 48.75     $ 162.00     $ 146.25  
 
                       
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
Net Income
  $ 52,785     $ 53,005     $ 158,506     $ 186,944  
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
                               
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period
    28,445       (14,782 )     1,202       (34,728 )
Less: Losses (gains) included in net income
    872       (1,765 )     721       (16,457 )
 
                       
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period
    29,317       (16,547 )     1,923       (51,185 )
Income tax (expense) benefit related to unrealized gains (losses)
    (10,263 )     5,792       (673 )     17,915  
 
                       
Change in other comprehensive income, net of tax
    19,054       (10,755 )     1,250       (33,270 )
 
                       
Comprehensive income
  $ 71,839     $ 42,250     $ 159,756     $ 153,674  
 
                       
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30  
    2006     2005  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
               
Management fee received
  $ 664,869     $ 682,440  
Service agreement fee received
    19,808       14,907  
Premiums collected
    161,851       161,737  
Settlement of commutation received from Exchange
    1,710       0  
Net investment income received
    47,209       47,465  
Limited partnership distributions
    39,584       60,752  
Dividends received from Erie Family Life
    899       1,349  
Salaries and wages paid
    (71,483 )     (62,724 )
Pension contributions and employee benefits paid
    (14,604 )     (9,613 )
Commissions paid to agents
    (348,497 )     (353,926 )
Agent bonuses paid
    (73,651 )     (46,717 )
General operating expenses paid
    (78,977 )     (68,753 )
Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid
    (101,140 )     (94,210 )
Other underwriting and acquisition costs paid
    (8,140 )     (6,693 )
Income taxes paid
    (64,723 )     (96,373 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    174,715       229,641  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Purchase of investments:
               
Fixed maturities
    (123,756 )     (295,210 )
Equity securities
    (79,369 )     (129,523 )
Limited partnerships
    (82,370 )     (42,996 )
Sales/maturities of investments:
               
Fixed maturity sales
    227,654       182,517  
Fixed maturity calls/maturities
    70,285       84,367  
Equity securities
    105,828       72,382  
Purchase of property and equipment
    (4,148 )     (1,510 )
Net (distributions) collections on agent loans
    (1,267 )     1,563  
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    112,857       (128,410 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
(Decrease) increase in collateral from securities lending
    (6,896 )     26,866  
Redemption of securities lending collateral
    6,896       (26,866 )
Dividends paid to shareholders
    (65,144 )     (61,598 )
Purchase of treasury stock
    (216,450 )     (46,959 )
 
           
Cash used in financing activities
    (281,594 )     (108,557 )
 
           
 
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    5,978       (7,326 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    31,666       50,061  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 37,644     $ 42,735  
 
           
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of Erie Indemnity Company and its wholly owned property/casualty insurance subsidiaries, Erie Insurance Company (EIC), Erie Insurance Company of New York (EINY) and Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company (EIPC), have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2006. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 2006.
NOTE 2 — RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) 158,”Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R).” This statement requires recognition in the statement of financial position of the funded status of a Company’s defined benefit postretirement plans, defined as the difference between plan assets and the plans accumulated benefit obligation. It also requires the recognition of changes in the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans in comprehensive income in the year in which the changes occur and that the measurement date of a plan’s assets and obligations that determine its funded status be at the end of the fiscal year. FAS 158 does not change the amount of net periodic benefit cost included in net income. The requirement to recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan and the disclosure requirements are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the fiscal year-end is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008 with earlier adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this statement will have on its financial position.
In September 2006, the FASB issued FAS 157,”Fair Value Measurements,” which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The standard applies whenever other standards require, or permit, assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. The standard does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. FAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will have additional disclosure requirements in accordance with the new guidance, but FAS 157 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In June 2006, the FASB issued FAS Interpretation (FIN) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB 109.” FIN 48 prescribes a measurement and a financial statement recognition of an income tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This Interpretation details how companies should recognize, measure, present and disclose uncertain income tax positions that have been or expect to be taken. As such, financial statements will reflect expected future income tax consequences of uncertain tax positions, presuming the taxing authority has full

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 2 — RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (continued)
knowledge of all relevant information. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is evaluating the impact this Interpretation will have on its financial position and results of operations.
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff published Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB 108 provides interpretive guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. The SAB is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. Application of this SAB will not alter previous conclusions and is not expected to impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 3 — RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts previously reported in the 2005 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. Such reclassifications did not impact earnings or total shareholders’ equity.
NOTE 4 — EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is calculated under the two-class method which allocates earnings to each class of stock based on its dividend rights. Diluted earnings per share is calculated under the if-converted method which reflects the conversion of Class B shares and the effect of potentially dilutive outstanding employee stock-based awards under the long-term incentive plan. The total weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations are shown in the table that follows for each period presented.
During the second quarter of 2006, the Company repurchased 1,844,604 shares of its Class A nonvoting common stock from the Black Interest Limited Partnership (which included the required conversion of 260 shares of Class B voting common stock be converted into 624,000 shares of Class A non-voting common stock) for $106.0 million. During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006, other shares were also repurchased under the previously authorized share program.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 4 — EARNINGS PER SHARE (Continued)
The following table displays the basic and diluted earnings per-share computations.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
    (dollars in thousands, except share data)  
Basic:
                               
Allocated net income — Class A
  $ 52,427     $ 52,641     $ 157,424     $ 185,662  
Class A shares of common stock
    57,873,922       62,415,372       59,179,328       62,650,810  
 
                       
Class A earnings per share — basic
  $ .91     $ .84     $ 2.67     $ 2.97  
 
                       
 
                               
Allocated net income — Class B
  $ 358     $ 364     $ 1,082     $ 1,282  
Class B shares of common stock
    2,573       2,843       2,691       2,846  
 
                       
Class B earnings per share — basic
  $ 139.34     $ 128.01     $ 404.46     $ 450.68  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted:
                               
Net income
  $ 52,785     $ 53,005     $ 158,506     $ 186,944  
Class A shares of common stock
    57,873,922       62,415,372       59,179,328       62,650,810  
Assumed conversion of Class B common stock and restricted stock awards
    6,255,428       6,904,775       6,538,628       6,911,975  
 
                       
Class A shares of common and equivalent shares
    64,129,350       69,320,147       65,717,956       69,562,785  
 
                       
Earnings per share — diluted
  $ .82     $ .76     $ 2.41     $ 2.69  
 
                       
Included in the restricted stock awards not yet vested are awards of 73,471 and 75,399 at September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, related to the long-term incentive plan for executive and senior management. Awards not yet vested related to the outside directors stock compensation plan were 6,757 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 6,176 for the three months ended September 30, 2005.
NOTE 5 — INVESTMENTS
Fixed maturities and equity securities
Fixed maturities consist of bonds, notes and redeemable preferred stock. Equity securities include common and nonredeemable preferred stock. Fixed maturities and equity securities are classified as available for sale. Available for sale securities are stated at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred tax, reflected in shareholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 5 — INVESTMENTS (Continued)
The following is a summary of fixed maturities and equity securities:
                                 
            Gross     Gross     Estimated  
(in thousands)   Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
September 30, 2006   Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
Fixed maturities
                               
U.S. treasuries & government agencies
  $ 9,795     $ 169     $ 93     $ 9,871  
States & political subdivisions
    129,466       1,051       763       129,754  
Special revenue
    191,483       2,133       608       193,008  
Public utilities
    48,517       2,012       444       50,085  
U.S. industrial & miscellaneous
    274,063       3,517       2,725       274,855  
Mortgage-backed securities
    16,144       464       180       16,428  
Asset-backed securities
    12,142       34       83       12,093  
Foreign
    78,521       2,037       613       79,945  
 
                       
Total bonds
    760,131       11,417       5,509       766,039  
 
                               
Redeemable preferred stock
    26,223       1,027       124       27,126  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
  $ 786,354     $ 12,444     $ 5,633     $ 793,165  
 
                       
 
                               
Equity securities
                               
Common stock:
                               
Public utilities
  $ 1,725     $ 313     $ 0     $ 2,038  
U.S. banks, trusts & insurance companies
    9,757       2,022       28       11,751  
U.S. industrial & miscellaneous
    59,073       10,704       1,417       68,360  
Foreign
    22,129       5,005       145       26,989  
Nonredeemable preferred stock:
                               
Public utilities
    21,606       433       246       21,793  
U.S. banks, trusts & insurance companies
    52,683       2,154       45       54,792  
U.S. industrial & miscellaneous
    50,859       3,307       145       54,021  
Foreign
    6,124       717       6       6,835  
 
                       
Total equity securities
  $ 223,956     $ 24,655     $ 2,032     $ 246,579  
 
                       

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 5 — INVESTMENTS (Continued)
                                 
            Gross     Gross     Estimated  
(in thousands)   Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized     Fair  
December 31, 2005   Cost     Gains     Losses     Value  
Fixed maturities
                               
U.S. treasuries & government agencies
  $ 9,583     $ 204     $ 52     $ 9,735  
States & political subdivisions
    145,528       1,383       1,104       145,807  
Special revenue
    195,059       1,816       1,130       195,745  
Public utilities
    66,866       3,077       334       69,609  
U. S. industrial & miscellaneous
    353,843       5,889       4,013       355,719  
Mortgage-backed securities
    32,251       788       413       32,626  
Asset-backed securities
    22,117       43       443       21,717  
Foreign
    106,445       3,772       816       109,401  
 
                       
Total bonds
    931,692       16,972       8,305       940,359  
 
                               
Redeemable preferred stock
    30,628       1,340       117       31,851  
 
                       
Total fixed maturities
  $ 962,320     $ 18,312     $ 8,422     $ 972,210  
 
                       
 
                               
Equity securities
                               
Common stock:
                               
Public utilities
  $ 1,313     $ 160     $ 0     $ 1,473  
U. S. banks, trusts & insurance companies
    10,783       1,528       286       12,025  
U. S. industrial & miscellaneous
    53,713       8,668       1,599       60,782  
Foreign
    18,950       2,712       381       21,281  
Nonredeemable preferred stock:
                               
Public utilities
    26,266       285       448       26,103  
U. S. banks, trusts & insurance companies
    64,632       2,432       228       66,836  
U. S. industrial & miscellaneous
    62,552       3,523       464       65,611  
Foreign
    11,231       1,033       41       12,223  
 
                       
Total equity securities
  $ 249,440     $ 20,341     $ 3,447     $ 266,334  
 
                       

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 5 — INVESTMENTS (Continued)
When a decline in the value of an investment is considered to be other-than-temporary by management, the investment is written down to net estimated realizable value. Investment impairments are evaluated on an individual security basis. Adjustments to the carrying value of marketable equity securities and fixed maturities that are considered impaired are recorded as realized losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The components of net realized gains/losses on investments as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations are included below. Impairment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 include securities primarily in the technology, media and consumer products industry. During 2005, the Company moved its remaining internally-managed equity securities to external managers generating realized gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     2006     2005  
Fixed maturities:
                               
Gross realized gains
   $ 277      $ 2,034      $ 3,675      $ 6,523  
Gross realized losses
    ( 554 )     ( 283 )     (3,248 )     (1,509 )
Impairment charges
    0       ( 619 )     (942 )     (2,074 )
 
                       
Net realized (losses) gains
    (277 )     1,132       (515 )     2,940  
 
                       
 
                               
Equity securities:
                               
Gross realized gains
    1,950       1,190       9,579       16,865  
Gross realized losses
    (932 )     ( 298 )     (5,710 )     (1,984 )
Impairment charges
    (1,613 )     ( 259 )     (4,075 )     (1,364 )
 
                       
Net realized (losses) gains
    (595 )     633       (206 )     13,517  
 
                       
 
                               
Net realized (losses) gains on investments
  ($ 872 )    $ 1,765     ($ 721 )    $ 16,457  
 
                       
Limited partnerships
Limited partnerships include U.S. and foreign private equity, real estate and mezzanine debt investments. The private equity limited partnerships invest in small- to medium-sized companies. Limited partnerships are recorded using the equity method, which is the Company’s share of the reported value of the partnership. The components of limited partnerships as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position are as follows:
                 
    As of  
    September 30     December 31  
(in thousands)   2006     2005  
Private equity
   $ 79,880      $ 64,438  
Mezzanine debt
    39,164       27,753  
Real estate
    107,944       60,968  
 
           
Total limited partnerships
   $ 226,988      $ 153,159  
 
           

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 5 — INVESTMENTS (Continued)
The components of equity in earnings of limited partnerships as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     2006     2005  
Private equity
  $ 4,515     $ 7,119     $ 14,899     $ 18,646  
Real estate
    4,186       (108 )     10,405       8,597  
Mezzanine debt
    2,147       1,021       3,745       3,545  
 
                       
Total equity in earnings of limited partnerships
  $ 10,848     $ 8,032     $ 29,049     $ 30,788  
 
                       
Securities Lending Program
The Company had loaned securities, included as part of its invested assets, with a market value of $23.3 million and $30.0 million at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The Company receives marketable securities as collateral for the loaned securities. The Company recognizes the receipt of the collateral held by the third party custodian and the obligation to return the collateral on its Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The proceeds from the collateral are invested in cash and short-term investments. The Company shares a portion of the interest earned on lent securities with the third party custodian and the borrowing institution.
NOTE 6 — SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION OF AFFILIATE
The Company owns 21.6% of Erie Family Life Insurance Company’s (EFL) outstanding common shares and accounts for this investment using the equity method of accounting. EFL is a Pennsylvania-domiciled life insurance company operating in 10 states and the District of Columbia. The remaining 78.4% of EFL is owned by the Erie Insurance Exchange.
The following represents unaudited condensed financial statement information for EFL on a GAAP basis:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     2006     2005  
Revenues
  $ 35,846     $ 36,043     $ 112,868     $ 111,972  
Benefits and expenses
    28,997       32,427       91,224       92,850  
 
                       
Income before income taxes
    6,849       3,616       21,644       19,122  
Income taxes
    3,697       709       8,601       6,136  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 3,152     $ 2,907     $ 13,043     $ 12,986  
 
                       
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 23,203     ($ 13,234 )   $ 6,344     ($ 3,074 )
 
                       
Dividends paid to shareholders
  $ 0     $ 2,079     $ 4,158     $ 6,237  
 
                       

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 6 — SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION OF AFFILIATE (Continued)
                 
    As of
    September 30   December 31
(in thousands)   2006   2005
Investments
  $ 1,502,974     $ 1,498,099  
Total assets
    1,776,612       1,776,360  
Liabilities
    1,516,376       1,520,390  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    8,773       15,471  
Total shareholders’ equity
    260,236       255,970  
See also Note 12, “Variable Interest Entity” regarding the tender offer transaction made by the Erie Insurance Exchange of EFL’s shares during the second quarter of 2006.
NOTE 7 — RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
The Company’s pension plans consist of: (1) a noncontributory-defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees of the Company, (2) an unfunded supplemental employee retirement plan for its executive management and division officers and (3) an unfunded pension plan (discontinued in 1997) for certain of its outside directors. The Company provides retiree health benefits in the form of medical and pharmacy health plans for certain eligible retired employees and eligible dependents. Effective May 1, 2006, the retiree health benefit plan was terminated by way of an amendment that restricts eligibility to those who attain age 60 and 15 years of service on or before July 1, 2010. As a result, a one-time curtailment benefit was recognized during the second quarter of 2006. See discussion following the net periodic benefit cost tables below.
All liabilities for the pension plans described in this note, as well as those remaining for the retiree health benefits, are presented in total for all employees of the Erie Insurance Group, before expense allocations to related entities. The Company was reimbursed approximately 51% of the net periodic benefit cost borne by the Erie Insurance Exchange (Exchange) and EFL during the first nine months of 2006 and 2005.
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Retiree Health Benefits  
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    September 30     September 30  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     2006     2005  
Service cost
  $ 4,084     $ 3,641     $ 129     $ 315  
Interest cost
    4,093       3,644       188       242  
Expected return on plan assets
    (4,629 )     (4,346 )            
Amortization of prior service cost
    114       175       (11 )     (27 )
Amortization of net loss
    1,177       899       32       81  
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 4,839     $ 4,013     $ 338     $ 611  
 
                       

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 7 — RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (Continued)
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Retiree Health Benefits*  
    Nine Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
Service cost
  $ 12,275     $ 10,923     $ 387     $ 944  
Interest cost
    12,296       10,932       565       726  
Expected return on plan assets
    (13,885 )     (13,037 )            
Amortization of prior service cost
    341       525       (33 )     (81 )
Amortization of net loss
    3,559       2,697       96       245  
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 14,586     $ 12,040     $ 1,015     $ 1,834  
 
                       
 
*   See termination of benefit discussion below. One-time curtailment benefit not included here.
Retiree Health Benefit Plan Termination
In the second quarter of 2006, the Company terminated its retiree health benefit plan resulting in the re-measurement of the current year net periodic benefit cost using a July 1 service date. Qualifying employees will be gradually phased out of the plan through 2010. Employees who have not met the qualifying criteria by July 1, 2010 will not be eligible for a benefit. As required when a significant plan change occurs, the discount rate assumption was re-evaluated and increased from 5.75% to 6.00% at the re-measurement date to reflect current market rates. As a result of the curtailment, a one time benefit of $2.9 million was realized, the net benefit of which was $1.4 million to the Company, after reimbursements from affiliates.
The expense savings from this change, including the re-measured obligation for the year 2006 will approximate $3.5 million, of which approximately half will be recognized by affiliates, for a net savings to the Company of $1.7 million. The annual reduction to the Company’s expense, net of reimbursements from affiliates, in 2007 and thereafter is expected to be approximately $1.2 million, or $.01 per share-diluted, until the benefit fully terminates in 2010.
NOTE 8 — NOTE RECEIVABLE FROM ERIE FAMILY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
The Company is due $25 million from EFL in the form of a surplus note. The note may be repaid only
out of unassigned surplus of EFL and repayment is subject to prior approval by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner. The note bears an annual interest rate of 6.70% and is payable on demand on or after December 31, 2018. EFL accrued interest, payable semi-annually to the Company, of $.4 million in each of the third quarters ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.
NOTE 9 — STATUTORY INFORMATION
Cash and securities with carrying values of $5.7 million and $3.6 million were deposited by the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries with regulatory authorities under statutory requirements at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. These amounts are included with cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 10 — SUPPLEMENTARY DATA ON CASH FLOWS
A reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows is as follows:
                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30  
    2006     2005  
    (in thousands)  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 158,506     $ 186,944  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    26,951       27,927  
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
    13,895       (1,558 )
Equity in earnings of limited partnerships
    (29,049 )     (30,788 )
Net realized losses (gains) on investments
    721       (16,457 )
Net amortization of bond premium
    2,081       1,949  
Undistributed earnings of Erie Family Life Insurance Company
    (2,313 )     (1,519 )
Deferred compensation
    (988 )     2,022  
Limited partnership distributions
    39,584       60,752  
Increase in receivables and reinsurance recoverable from the Exchange and affiliates
    (14,345 )     (46,232 )
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets
    (28,673 )     (25,877 )
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
    12,271       21,824  
Increase in loss reserves
    1,079       42,802  
(Decrease) Increase in unearned premiums
    (5,005 )     7,852  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 174,715     $ 229,641  
 
           
NOTE 11 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company has contractual commitments to invest up to $245.1 million additional funds in limited partnership investments at September 30, 2006. These commitments will be funded as required by the partnerships’ agreements through 2012. At September 30, 2006, the total commitment to fund limited partnerships that invest in private equity securities is $95.6 million, real estate activities is $100.8 million and fixed income securities is $48.7 million. The Company expects to have sufficient cash flows from operations and positive cash inflows (distributions) from existing limited partnership investments to meet these partnership commitments.
The Company is involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the effects, if any, of such litigation are not expected to be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 12 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY
The Exchange is a reciprocal insurance company, domiciled in Pennsylvania, for which the Company serves as attorney-in-fact. The Company holds a variable interest in the Exchange, however, the Company is not the primary beneficiary as defined under Financial Accounting Standards interpretation 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.” The Company has a significant interest in the financial condition of the Exchange because net management fee revenues are based on the direct written premiums of the Exchange and the other members of the Property and Casualty Group.
The selected financial data below is derived from the Exchange’s financial statements prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) required by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, as modified to include prescribed practices of the Insurance Department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. The condensed financial data set forth below represents the Exchange’s share of underwriting results after accounting for intercompany pooling transactions.
Erie Insurance Exchange
Condensed Statutory Statements of Operations
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     2006     2005  
Premiums earned
  $ 916,761     $ 945,738     $ 2,785,195     $ 2,836,427  
Losses and loss adjustment expenses
    556,857       597,252       1,723,676       1,731,561  
Insurance underwriting and other expenses*
    256,188       263,615       803,175       793,490  
 
                       
Net underwriting gain
    103,716       84,871       258,344       311,376  
 
                       
 
                               
Total investment income**
    75,585       175,107       278,754       726,930  
 
                               
Net income before federal income tax
    179,301       259,978       537,098       1,038,306  
Federal income tax expense
    49,825       97,015       170,450       349,170  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 129,476     $ 162,963     $ 366,648     $ 689,136  
 
                       
 
*   Includes management fees paid or accrued as payable to the Company.
 
**   The nine-month results for 2005 include $449.7 million in realized gains. A change in investment advisors for the equity portfolio from internally managed to external portfolio managers resulted in a re-positioning of the portfolio generating significant realized capital gains in 2005.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 12 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY (Continued)
Erie Insurance Exchange
Condensed Statutory Statements of Financial Position
                 
    As of  
    September 30     December 31  
(in thousands)   2006     2005  
Assets
               
Fixed maturities
  $ 4,427,750     $ 4,534,116  
Equity securities
    2,725,125       2,384,839  
Other investments
    1,068,874       699,500  
Cash and cash equivalents
    257,553       299,160  
 
           
Total invested assets
    8,479,302       7,917,615  
Premium receivable
    999,058       981,844  
Other assets
    106,828       170,804  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 9,585,188     $ 9,070,263  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities
               
Loss and LAE reserves
  $ 3,531,934     $ 3,549,128  
Unearned premium reserves
    1,509,666       1,509,636  
Accrued liabilities
    640,953       629,749  
 
           
Total liabilities
    5,682,553       5,688,513  
 
           
Total policyholders’ surplus
    3,902,635       3,381,750  
 
           
Total liabilities and policyholders’ surplus
  $ 9,585,188     $ 9,070,263  
 
           
Common equity securities represent a significant portion of the Exchange’s investment portfolio and are exposed to price risk. Included in equity securities are $2.0 billion in common stock investments which comprise approximately 51% of the Exchange’s statutory surplus at September 30, 2006.
The weighted average current price to trailing 12-months earnings ratio of the Exchange’s common stock portfolio was 19.72 at September 30, 2006 and 21.08 at December 31, 2005. The Standard & Poor’s composite price to trailing 12-months earnings ratio was 16.98 at September 30, 2006 and 17.39 at December 31, 2005.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 12 — VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY (Continued)
Erie Insurance Exchange
Condensed Statutory Statements of Cash Flows
                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30  
(in thousands)   2006     2005  
Cash flows from operating activities
               
Premiums collected net of reinsurance
  $ 2,768,935     $ 2,839,789  
Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid
    (1,492,420 )     (1,435,294 )
Management fee and expenses paid
    (1,018,460 )     (1,021,673 )
Net miscellaneous expenses recovered (paid)
    98,720       (131,690 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    356,775       251,132  
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (359,937 )     (300,212 )
 
           
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (38,445 )     242,585  
 
           
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (41,607 )     193,505  
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of year
    299,160       125,933  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents-end of period
  $ 257,553     $ 319,438  
 
           
Erie Family Life Insurance Company Tender Offer and Merger
During the second quarter of 2006, the Exchange completed its tender offer and following short-form merger for all of the publicly held outstanding common stock of EFL. The Exchange acquired all publicly held EFL common stock at $32.00 per share, increasing its ownership percentage from 53.5% to 78.4% of the outstanding common stock of EFL. The aggregate consideration paid by the Exchange for the outstanding EFL shares was $75.2 million and is included as part of the net cash used in investing activities above. The Company’s 21.6% stake in EFL was unaffected by this transaction.
NOTE 13 — SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company operates its business as three reportable segments — management operations, insurance underwriting operations and investment operations. Accounting policies for segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies Note 3 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 2006, with the exception of the management fee revenues received from the property/casualty insurance subsidiaries. These revenues are not eliminated in the segment detail that follows as management bases its decisions on the segment presentation. Summarized financial information for the Company’s operating segments is presented below:

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 13 — SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     2006     2005  
Management Operations
                               
Operating revenue
                               
Management fee revenue
  $ 244,739     $ 241,639     $ 728,778     $ 726,429  
Service agreement revenue
    7,410       5,294       21,508       15,440  
 
                       
Total operating revenue
    252,149       246,933       750,286       741,869  
Cost of management operations
    200,498       194,768       595,351       570,612  
 
                       
Income before income taxes
  $ 51,651     $ 52,165     $ 154,935     $ 171,257  
 
                       
Net income from management operations
  $ 33,852     $ 34,921     $ 101,321     $ 114,136  
 
                       
 
                               
Insurance Underwriting Operations
                               
Operating revenue
                               
Premiums earned:
                               
Personal lines
  $ 37,406     $ 38,848     $ 111,921     $ 115,683  
Commercial lines
    15,844       16,216       48,896       49,156  
Reinsurance — nonaffiliates
    (233 )     (312 )     51       (587 )
Reinsurance — affiliates*
    0       (844 )     0       (2,531 )
 
                       
Total premiums earned
    53,017       53,908       160,868       161,721  
 
                       
Operating expenses
                               
Losses and expenses:
                               
Personal lines
    34,230       37,793       105,568       105,906  
Commercial lines
    12,514       15,238       40,685       42,578  
Reinsurance — nonaffiliates**
    236       (2,987 )     401       (1,961 )
Reinsurance — affiliates***
    307       2,166       845       2,341  
 
                       
Total losses and expenses
    47,287       52,210       147,499       148,864  
 
                       
Income before income taxes
  $ 5,730     $ 1,698     $ 13,369     $ 12,857  
 
                       
Net income from insurance underwriting operations
  $ 3,755     $ 1,137     $ 8,743     $ 8,567  
 
                       
 
                               
Investment Operations
                               
Investment income, net of expenses
  $ 12,215     $ 14,755     $ 41,818     $ 45,158  
Net realized (losses) gains on investments
    (872 )     1,765       (721 )     16,457  
Equity in earnings of limited partnerships
    10,848       8,032       29,049       30,788  
 
                       
Total investment income — unaffiliated
  $ 22,191     $ 24,552     $ 70,146     $ 92,403  
 
                       
Net income from investment operations
  $ 14,544     $ 16,427     $ 45,873     $ 61,574  
 
                       
Equity in earnings of EFL, net of tax
  $ 634     $ 520     $ 2,569     $ 2,667  
 
                       
 
*   The excess-of-loss reinsurance agreement was not renewed for the 2006 accident year and as a result, there were no premiums paid by the Erie Insurance Company or Erie Insurance Company of New York to the Exchange.
 
**   The change in the third quarter of 2005 included the reduction in reserve estimates of $2.0 million related to the assumed voluntary reinsurance for the World Trade Center event.
 
***   In the third quarter of 2005, the assumed voluntary reserves related to the World Trade Center were reduced which triggered a reduction in recoveries under the intercompany excess-of-loss reinsurance agreement. The net effect of this reserve activity was a $.1 million reduction in expense.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 13 — SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
Reconciliation of reportable segment revenues and operating expenses to the Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     2006     2005  
Segment revenues
  $ 305,166     $ 300,841     $ 911,154     $ 903,590  
Elimination of intersegment management fee revenues
    (13,351 )     (13,290 )     (40,055 )     (39,954 )
 
                       
Total operating revenues
  $ 291,815     $ 287,551     $ 871,099     $ 863,636  
 
                       
 
                               
Segment operating expenses
  $ 247,785     $ 246,978     $ 742,850     $ 719,475  
Elimination of intersegment management fee revenue
    (13,351 )     (13,290 )     (40,055 )     (39,954 )
 
                       
Total operating expenses
  $ 234,434     $ 233,688     $ 702,795     $ 679,521  
 
                       
The intersegment revenues and expenses that are eliminated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations relate to the Company’s property/casualty insurance subsidiaries 5.5% share of the intersegment management fees paid to the Company.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 13 — SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
The growth rate of policies in force, policy retention (the percentage of policyholders eligible for renewals who have renewed their policies measured on a twelve-month rolling basis) and average premium per policy trends directly impact the Company’s management operations and insurance underwriting operating segments. Below is a summary of each major line of business for the Property and Casualty Group.
Growth rates of policies in force for Property and Casualty Group insurance operations:
                                                                 
    Private   12-mth.           12-mth.           12-mth.   Total   12-mth.
    passenger   growth           growth   All Other   growth   Personal   growth
Date   auto   rate   Homeowners   rate   personal lines   rate   Lines   rate
06/30/2005
    1,658,278       (1.7 )%     1,350,491       0.2 %     282,670       1.5 %     3,291,439       (0.6 )%
09/30/2005
    1,651,629       (1.8 )     1,354,487       0.3       285,134       2.3       3,291,250       (0.6 )
12/31/2005
    1,640,563       (1.8 )     1,353,912       0.5       286,604       2.7       3,281,079       (0.5 )
03/31/2006
    1,636,048       (1.6 )     1,356,885       1.0       289,964       3.6       3,282,897       (0.1 )
06/30/2006
    1,637,472       (1.3 )     1,366,633       1.2       294,409       4.2       3,298,514       0.2  
09/30/2006
    1,636,947       (0.9 )     1,373,763       1.4       298,361       4.6       3,309,071       0.5  
                                                                                 
            12-mth.           12-mth.           12-mth.           12-mth.   Total   12-mth.
    CML*   growth   CML*   growth   Workers’   growth   All other   growth   CML*   growth
Date   auto   rate   multi-peril   rate   comp.   rate   CML* lines   rate   Lines   rate
06/30/2005
    118,445       1.2 %     212,100       1.1 %     57,398       (5.5 )%     88,981       2.1 %     476,924       0.5 %
09/30/2005
    118,555       1.3       212,939       1.4       56,877       (5.0 )     90,074       2.4       478,445       0.7  
12/31/2005
    118,728       1.2       213,347       1.8       56,218       (4.6 )     90,227       2.7       478,520       1.0  
03/31/2006
    118,587       1.0       214,461       2.3       55,254       (4.7 )     90,301       2.8       478,603       1.2  
06/30/2006
    119,471       0.9       217,134       2.4       54,871       (4.4 )     91,568       2.9       483,044       1.3  
09/30/2006
    119,555       0.8       217,763       2.3       54,379       (4.4 )     92,687       2.9       484,384       1.2  
                 
Date   Total All Lines   12-mth. growth rate
06/30/2005
    3,768,363       (0.5 )%
09/30/2005
    3,769,695       (0.5 )
12/31/2005
    3,759,599       (0.3 )
03/31/2006
    3,761,500       0.1  
06/30/2006
    3,781,558       0.4  
09/30/2006
    3,793,455       0.6  
Policy retention trends for Property and Casualty Group insurance operations:
                                                         
    Private                            
    passenger   CML*           CML*   Workers’   All other   Total
Date   auto   auto   Homeowners   multi-peril   comp.   lines   All Lines
06/30/2005
    89.8 %     87.8 %     87.8 %     85.0 %     85.8 %     85.5 %     88.3 %
09/30/2005
    89.9       88.0       88.0       85.1       86.0       85.6       88.4  
12/31/2005
    90.0       87.9       88.2       85.4       86.2       86.0       88.6  
03/31/2006
    90.1       88.0       88.6       85.9       86.0       86.2       88.8  
06/30/2006
    90.3       87.7       88.9       85.9       85.9       86.5       89.0  
09/30/2006
    90.5       87.8       89.2       86.0       85.8       86.7       89.2  
 
*   CML = Commercial

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 13 – SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
Average premium per policy trends for Property and Casualty Group insurance operations:
                                                                 
    Private   12-mth.           12-mth.           12-mth.   Total   12-mth.
    passenger   growth           growth   All other   growth   Personal   growth
Date   auto   rate   Homeowners   rate   personal lines   rate   Lines   rate
06/30/2005
  $ 1,186       2.4 %   $ 549       7.6 %   $ 346       5.5 %   $ 851       3.3 %
09/30/2005
    1,179       0.3       546       2.8       347       3.3       846       0.6  
12/31/2005
    1,174       (1.3 )     543       (0.5 )     348       0.3       841       (1.6 )
03/31/2006
    1,161       (2.7 )     539       (2.4 )     349       0.6       832       (3.0 )
06/30/2006
    1,140       (3.9 )     535       (2.6 )     348       0.6       818       (3.9 )
09/30/2006
    1,122       (4.8 )     530       (2.9 )     348       0.3       806       (4.7 )
                                                                                 
            12-mth.           12-mth.   All other   12-mth.   Total   12-mth.   Total   12-mth.
    CML*   growth   Workers’   growth   CML* lines   growth   CML*   growth   All   growth
Date   auto   rate   comp.   rate   of business   rate   Lines   rate   Lines   rate
06/30/2005
  $ 2,780       1.2 %   $ 6,102       12.2 %   $ 1,708       3.8 %   $ 2,503       4.2 %   $ 1,061       3.8 %
09/30/2005
    2,789       0.8       6,104       8.2       1,694       1.2       2,490       1.9       1,055       1.2  
12/31/2005
    2,781       (0.3 )     6,212       6.7       1,705       (0.1 )     2,501       0.6       1,052       (0.8 )
03/31/2006
    2,778       (0.8 )     6,270       4.4       1,710       (0.6 )     2,501       (0.5 )     1,044       (2.1 )
06/30/2006
    2,730       (1.8 )     6,143       0.7       1,676       (1.9 )     2,444       (2.4 )     1,026       (3.3 )
09/30/2006
    2,705       (3.0 )     6,047       (0.9 )     1,669       (1.5 )     2,416       (3.0 )     1,011       (4.2 )
 
*   CML = Commercial

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information should be read in conjunction with the historical financial information and the notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 2006. Preceding the discussion of financial results is an introduction discussing the relationships between the member companies of the Erie Insurance Group. The following discussion of financial results focuses heavily on the Erie Indemnity Company’s (the Company) three primary segments: management operations, insurance underwriting operations and investment operations consistent with the presentation in Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. That presentation, which management uses internally to monitor and evaluate results, is an alternative presentation of the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
NATURE OF ORGANIZATION
The following organizational chart depicts the organization of the various entities of the Erie Insurance Group:
(ERIE INSURANCE GROUP ORGANIZATIONAL CHART)

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Erie Indemnity Company (the Company) has served since 1925 as the attorney-in-fact for the policyholders of the Erie Insurance Exchange (Exchange), a reciprocal insurance exchange. The Company is a public registrant that operates predominantly as a provider of certain management services to the Exchange. The Company also owns subsidiaries that are property and casualty insurers. Each applicant for insurance to a reciprocal insurance exchange signs a subscriber’s agreement, which contains a power-of-attorney appointing an attorney-in-fact. Under the Company’s attorney-in-fact arrangement with subscribers to the Exchange, the Company is required to perform services relating to the sales, underwriting and issuance of policies on behalf of the Exchange. For its services as attorney-in-fact, the Company charges a management fee calculated as a percentage, not to exceed 25%, of the direct and affiliated assumed premiums written by the Exchange.
The Exchange and its property/casualty subsidiary, Flagship City Insurance Company, and the Company’s three property/casualty subsidiaries, Erie Insurance Company (EIC), Erie Insurance Company of New York (EINY) and Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company (EIPC), (collectively, the Property and Casualty Group) underwrite personal and commercial lines property and casualty insurance exclusively through almost 1,800 independent agencies comprising close to 7,900 licensed independent agents and pool their underwriting results. The financial position or results of operations of the Exchange are not consolidated with those of the Company. The Company, together with the Property and Casualty Group and EFL, operate collectively as the Erie Insurance Group.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.
Segment Overview
The financial information presented herein reflects the Company’s management operations from serving as attorney-in-fact for the Exchange, its insurance underwriting results from its wholly-owned subsidiaries (EIC, EINY and EIPC) and the Company’s investment operations. The calculations of segment data are described in more detail in Item 1, Note 13 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements herein.
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended        
(dollars in thousands, except   September 30     Percent     September 30     Percent  
per share data)
  2006     2005     Change     2006     2005     Change  
Income from management operations
  $ 51,651     $ 52,165       (1.0 )%   $ 154,935     $ 171,257       (9.5 )%
Underwriting income
    5,730       1,698     NM       13,369       12,857       4.0  
Net revenue from investment operations
    22,873       25,112       (8.9 )     72,909       95,271       (23.5 )
 
                                     
Income before income taxes
    80,254       78,975       1.6       241,213       279,385       (13.7 )
Provision for income taxes
    27,469       25,970       5.8       82,707       92,441       (10.5 )
 
                                     
Net income
  $ 52,785     $ 53,005       (.4 )   $ 158,506     $ 186,944       (15.2 )
 
                                   
Net income per share — diluted
  $ .82     $ .76       7.9 %   $ 2.41     $ 2.69       (10.4 )%
 
                                     
HIGHLIGHTS
    Gross margins from management operations decreased to 20.5% in the third quarter of 2006 from 21.1% in the third quarter of 2005 due to modest growth in management fee revenues outpaced by growth in operating costs

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
    GAAP combined ratios of the insurance underwriting operations improved to 89.2% for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 from 96.9% for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 driven largely by favorable development on prior accident year loss reserves
 
    Net revenue from investment operations for the quarter and nine months decreased reflecting the use of capital to repurchase Company shares
ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Management Operations
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended        
    September 30     Percent     September 30     Percent  
(dollars in thousands)   2006     2005     Change     2006     2005     Change  
Management fee revenue
  $ 244,739     $ 241,639       1.3 %   $ 728,778     $ 726,429       0.3 %
Service agreement revenue
    7,410       5,294       40.0       21,508       15,440       39.3  
 
                                       
Total revenue from management operations
    252,149       246,933       2.1       750,286       741,869       1.1  
Cost of management operations
    200,498       194,768       2.9       595,351       570,612       4.3  
 
                                       
Income from management operations
  $ 51,651     $ 52,165       (1.0 )%   $ 154,935     $ 171,257       (9.5 )%
 
                                       
Gross margin percentage
    20.5 %     21.1 %             20.7 %     23.1 %        
 
                                       
Management fee rate
    24.75 %     23.75 %             24.75 %     23.75 %        
 
                                       
HIGHLIGHTS
    Management fee revenue increased 1.3% in the third quarter of 2006 reflecting a higher management fee rate offset by a 4.2% reduction in direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group when compared to the third quarter of 2005
    During the third quarter, policies in force grew .3%, or 11,897 policies, to 3,793,455 at September 30, 2006 compared to growth of 1,332 policies in the third quarter of 2005
 
    Year-over-year average premium per policy was $1,011 and $1,055 at September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, a decrease of 4.2%
 
    Premium rate changes resulted in a $32.0 million decrease in written premiums in the third quarter of 2006
 
    To further stimulate policy growth, the Company implemented a $50 bonus to eligible agents for each new private passenger auto policy issued beginning July 2006 and continues to expand its independent agency force through appointment of new agencies
    Cost of management operations increased 2.9% in the third quarter with overall commission costs increasing 3.0% and costs other than commissions increasing 2.8%
    In the third quarter of 2006, agent bonuses increased $5.3 million while all other commission costs decreased $1.1 million compared to the third quarter of 2005

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
    Increased personnel costs of 1.3% in the third quarter 2006 compared to 2005 reflected normal pay increases and more technology personnel costs incurred by the Company, offset by reductions in the estimated executive incentive plan payouts
Management fee revenue
The following table presents the direct written premium of the Property & Casualty Group, shown by major line of business, and the calculation of the management fee revenue of the Company.
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended        
    September 30     Percent     September 30     Percent  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     Change     2006     2005     Change  
Private passenger auto
  $ 478,201     $ 508,964       (6.0 )%   $ 1,401,176     $ 1,490,619       (6.0 )%
Commercial auto
    76,072       78,767       (3.4 )     250,246       256,951       (2.6 )
Homeowner
    203,142       206,767       (1.8 )     555,519       563,475       (1.4 )
Commercial multi-peril
    103,384       104,125       (0.7 )     341,758       343,840       (0.6 )
Workers’ compensation
    74,098       82,356       (10.0 )     255,654       276,073       (7.4 )
All other lines of business
    45,865       43,186       6.2       138,183       131,479       5.1  
 
                                       
Property and Casualty Group direct written premiums
  $ 980,762     $ 1,024,165       (4.2 )   $ 2,942,536     $ 3,062,437       (3.9 )
Management fee rate
    24.75 %     23.75 %             24.75 %     23.75 %        
 
                                       
Management fee revenue, gross
    242,739       243,239       (0.2 )     728,278       727,329       0.1  
Change in allowance for management fee returned on cancelled policies*
    2,000       (1,600 )   NM     500       (900 )   NM
 
                                       
Management fee revenue, net of allowance
  $ 244,739     $ 241,639       1.3 %   $ 728,778     $ 726,429       0.3 %
 
                                       
 
NM = not meaningful
 
*   Management fees are returned to the Exchange when policies are cancelled mid-term and unearned premiums are refunded. The Company records an estimated allowance for management fees returned on mid-term policy cancellation.
Management fee revenue is based on the management fee rate, established by the Board of Directors, and the direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group. The 4.2% reduction in the Property and Casualty Group’s direct written premiums resulted in lower management fee revenue, gross of allowances, in the third quarter 2006 compared to the third quarter 2005. The decline in direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group in 2006 reflects the impact of lower average premium per policy due to rate decreases and the continued implementation of tiered pricing for auto and home lines of business.
The higher management fee rate in 2006 of 24.75% resulted in an increase of $9.8 million in management fee revenue, or an increase in net income of $.10 per share-diluted, that partially offset the decline resulting from lower direct written premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. The rate of mid-term policy cancellations for the Property and Casualty Group continued to trend downward in the third quarter of 2006 resulting in reductions in the allowance for management fees returned on policies cancelled mid-term. This downward trend in the mid-term cancellation rate corresponds with the steady improvement in the policy retention ratio which has improved in each quarter of 2006 from 88.6 at December 31, 2005 to 89.2 at September 30, 2006.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Premium production
The Property and Casualty Group’s premium generated from new business decreased 3.8% while renewal premiums declined 4.3% in third quarter of 2006. Driving these premium decreases were rate reductions and shifts in the mix of business to lower price tiered auto and home business. New policies in force increased 1.7% to 432,881 at September 30, 2006 from 425,736 at September 30, 2005. The year over year average premium per policy on new business decreased 3.0% to $845 at September 30, 2006 from $871 at September 30, 2005. The year over year average premium per policy on renewal business declined 4.2% to $1,033 at September 2006 from $1,078 at September 2005 while renewal policies in force increased slightly. (See Note 13, “Segment Information” which contains total policies in force, policy retention and average premium per policy trends by line of business).
Personal lines — Personal lines new business premiums written decreased 3.1% to $68.4 million in the third quarter of 2006 from $70.6 million in the third quarter of 2005. The year over year average premium per policy on personal lines new business decreased 4.7% to $806 at September 30, 2006 from $846 at September 30, 2005. Personal lines new policies in force increased to 356,192 at September 30, 2006 compared to 349,861 at September 30, 2005.
The Property and Casualty Group’s private passenger auto new business policies in force increased 3.0% to 143,753 at September 30, 2006. Despite the increase in private passenger auto new business policies in force, new business premiums written remained flat at $42.0 million during each of the third quarters of 2006 and 2005. The Property and Casualty Group has been implementing rate reductions in 2005 and 2006, of which the most significant dollar impact has been in the private passenger auto line of business in the state of Pennsylvania. Incorporated in these rate changes are reductions on certain coverages for new private passenger auto policyholders with no claims or violations as well as other discounts and pricing variable interactions. The new private passenger auto premium decrease is also affected by shifts in the mix of personal lines business to lower premium price tiers. To stimulate growth, the Company implemented a new incentive program effective July 1, 2006 in which eligible agents will receive a $50 bonus on each new private passenger auto policy. This program runs through December 31, 2007. The homeowners line of business new business premium decreased $1.7 million to $21.8 million in the third quarter of 2006. The homeowners line has been impacted by rate reductions as well as a .2% decrease in new business policies in force at September 30, 2006 compared to September 30, 2005.
Renewal premiums written decreased 4.6% on personal lines policies during the third quarter of 2006. The overall decrease also reflects the impact of the rate reductions and change in the mix by tier of personal lines business written by the Property and Casualty Group. An improvement was seen in the renewal business with the year-over-year policy retention ratio for personal lines of 89.8% at September 30, 2006 compared to 88.9% at September 30, 2005. The year-over-year policy retention ratio for private passenger auto was 90.5% and 89.9% at September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Commercial lines — The commercial lines new business premiums written decreased 6.4% to $28.1 million in the third quarter of 2006 from $30.0 million in the third quarter of 2005. Commercial lines new policies in force increased 1.1% to 76,689 at September 30, 2006. While new policies in force have increased, the average premium per policy on commercial lines has declined, reflecting rate decreases and changes in the size and risk characteristics of policyholders, driving the overall decrease in commercial lines new business premiums written.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
A more refined process of evaluating commercial accounts using predictive modeling is being used to gain a better alignment between rate and risk level which should continue to improve commercial lines policy growth and profitability.
All lines — Improvements in 2004 and 2005 underwriting results afforded the Property and Casualty Group the ability to implement rate reductions in 2005 and 2006 to be more price competitive for potential new policyholders and improve retention of existing policyholders. Management continuously evaluates pricing and estimates that those pricing actions approved, filed and contemplated for filing could reduce direct written premiums by almost $119.0 million during 2006, of which approximately $32.0 million occurred in the third quarter of 2006, and $86.0 million in the first nine months of 2006. Included in the $119.0 million are $35.3 million in premium reductions related to the carryover impact of pricing actions approved and effective in 2005.
Future trends — premium revenue — The Company is continuing efforts to grow premiums and improve its competitive position in the marketplace. The Company appointed 27 new agencies during the third quarter of 2006 for a total of 98 new agency appointments for the first nine months of 2006. The Company expects to meet its goal of appointing 125 new agencies in 2006. For the entire year of 2005, there were 65 new agency appointments. Expanding the size of the agency force will contribute to future growth as new agents build up their book of business with the Property and Casualty Group. The Company has sought to spur growth by investing in a new incentive program, related to its largest line of business, for its agents. In July 2006, the Company implemented a $50 bonus to eligible agents for each new private passenger auto policy issued that will remain effective through December 2007. The Company is continuing to evaluate the interactions used in its pricing segmentation model for personal lines.
Service agreement revenue
                                                 
    Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended    
    September 30   Percent   September 30   Percent
(dollars in thousands)   2006   2005   Change   2006   2005   Change
         
Service agreement revenue, gross
  $ 8,010     $ 5,494       45.8 %   $ 23,208     $ 15,974       45.3 %
Unearned service charge revenue
    (600 )     (200 )   NM     (1,700 )     (534 )   NM
                         
Service agreement revenue, net
  $ 7,410     $ 5,294       40.0 %   $ 21,508     $ 15,440       39.3 %
                         
 
NM = not meaningful
Service agreement revenue represents service charges the Company collects from policyholders for providing multiple installment premium payment plans on policies written by the Property and Casualty Group. These service charges are fixed dollar amounts per billed installment. Effective for policies renewing on or after January 1, 2006 that are paid in installments, the service charge assessed policyholders increased from $3 to $5 per installment which is contributing to the increase in service agreement revenue. Shifts in the billing plans selected by policyholders from those that charge fees to those that do not is offsetting some of the service charge increase. The shift to the non-fee, single payment plan is being driven by a pricing discount for private passenger auto policyholders as well as consumers' desire to avoid the $5 service charge. The higher service charge is driving the increase in the portion of revenue that is unearned in 2006 compared to the prior year.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Cost of management operations
                                                 
    Three Months Ended           Nine Months Ended    
    September 30   Percent   September 30   Percent
(in thousands)   2006   2005   Change   2006   2005   Change
Commissions
  $ 144,414     $ 140,210       3.0 %   $ 423,487     $ 411,377       2.9 %
                         
 
                                               
Personnel costs
    32,806       32,374       1.3       101,535       93,897       8.1  
Survey and underwriting costs
    6,449       5,177       24.6       18,677       16,540       12.9  
Sales and policy issuance costs
    5,831       6,245       (6.6 )     17,337       16,568       4.6  
All other operating costs
    10,998       10,762       2.2       34,315       32,230       6.5  
                         
All other non-commission expense
    56,084       54,558       2.8       171,864       159,235       7.9  
                         
 
                                               
Total cost of management operations
  $ 200,498     $ 194,768       2.9 %   $ 595,351     $ 570,612       4.3 %
                         
HIGHLIGHTS
    Normal commissions decreased during the quarter due to lower Property and Casualty Group premium volume, but were offset by higher agent bonus awards driving the 3.0% increase in the third quarter 2006
 
    Included in the 1.3% increase in personnel costs are:
  o   Salaries and wages and related benefits increased 8.9%, or $2.7 million, due to higher average pay rates and increases in staffing levels in 2006 compared to 2005, and
 
  o   An offsetting decrease of $2.1 million in the expense for executive incentive plans in 2006 compared to 2005
    The increase in survey and underwriting costs resulted from a more normalized level of insurance scoring costs, coupled with a modest increase in application activity resulting in more underwriting costs in 2006 compared to 2005
Commissions — Commissions to independent agents include scheduled commissions earned by independent agents on premiums written, accelerated commissions and agent bonuses and awards.
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended        
    September 30     Percent     September 30     Percent  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     Change     2006     2005     Change  
Scheduled rate commissions
  $ 116,606     $ 120,016       (2.8 )%   $ 348,859     $ 358,000       (2.6 )%
Accelerated rate commissions
    405       560       (27.7 )     1,165       2,074       (43.8 )
Agent bonuses
    24,760       19,412       27.5       69,289       50,480       37.3  
Promotional incentives
    83       922     NM       2,414       923     NM  
Additional agent incentives
    1,360       0     NM       1,360       0     NM  
Change in allowance for mid-term policy cancellations
    1,200       (700 )   NM       400       (100 )   NM  
 
                                       
Total commissions
  $ 144,414     $ 140,210       3.0 %   $ 423,487     $ 411,377       2.9 %
 
                                       
 
NM = not meaningful

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Scheduled and accelerated rate commissions — Scheduled rate commissions were impacted by a 4.2% decrease in the direct written premiums of the Property and Casualty Group in the third quarter of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. This decrease was concentrated in the personal lines of business, (comprising approximately 72% of the Property and Casualty Group business based on direct written premium), which have lower commission rates than commercial lines of business. The decrease in scheduled rate commissions of only 2.8%, when compared to the reduction in direct written premiums, is reflective of this mix of premium dollars.
Accelerated rate commissions are offered under certain circumstances to certain newly-recruited agents for their initial three years. In 2003 and 2004, the Company slowed agent appointments in conjunction with its efforts to control exposure growth. With fewer new agent appointments and the expiration of existing accelerated commission contracts, accelerated commission costs have been decreasing. Accelerated commissions are expected to increase as new agent appointments increase in 2006.
Agent bonuses — Agent bonuses are based predominantly on an individual agency’s property/casualty underwriting profitability over a three-year period. The agent bonus award is estimated at $90.3 million for 2006. The estimate for the bonus is modeled on a monthly basis using the two prior years actual underwriting data by agency combined with the current year-to-date actual data. There is also a growth component to the bonus. The increase in agent bonuses reflects the impact of improved underwriting profitability of the Property and Casualty Group in 2005 and 2004. Of the current estimate, $86.8 million represents the bonus award related to profitability and $3.5 million to the growth component of the award. In 2006, the growth component bonus is being paid in advance only if the agency is profitable and on track for their annual new premium production. Advanced bonus amounts are expensed as paid. The year end payout of the total agent bonus will be reduced by advance bonus payments made. If for the year the agent does not meet the criteria for the annual award, they will not have an obligation to repay any advance bonuses received.
Other costs of management operations — The cost of management operations excluding commission costs, increased 2.8% for the third quarter of 2006. The net increase of 1.3% in personnel related costs, which are the second largest component in cost of management operations, was driven by an 8.9%, or $2.7 million increase in salaries and related benefit costs to $32.6 million, offset by a $2.1 million reduction in compensation expense for incentive plans for executives. Contributing to the higher salaries was a 6.2% increase in average pay rate and a 3.1% increase in staffing levels that include increased salaries of technology personnel no longer deployed to the ErieConnection program which are being utilized on Company projects rather than projects of affiliated entities. The decrease in compensation expense for the executive incentive plans was due to a reduction in the estimates for the incentive plan payouts attributable to lower than targeted Property and Casualty Group premium production.
Employee benefit costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, which are included in personnel costs, include a curtailment of costs that was recognized in conjunction with the second quarter 2006 termination of the retiree health benefit plan. The postretirement health benefit expenses have decreased $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2005 primarily as a result of the curtailment of costs and the re-measured retiree health benefit obligation. Offsetting this decrease on a year to date basis, were increases to pension costs resulting from the change in discount rate assumption used to calculate the pension expense from 6.00% in 2005 to 5.75% in 2006. Pension costs have increased by about $1.0 million per quarter over 2005 levels as a result of the discount rate change as expected.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Survey and underwriting costs were higher in the third quarter of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005. Insurance scoring for personal lines was first implemented in August 2005; therefore, 2006 expense for insurance scores is a more normalized expense level for the third quarter. Submitted applications for potential policyholders increased 3.1% in the third quarter of 2006 compared to the third quarter of 2005 contributing to slightly higher underwriting costs.
Future trends — cost of management operations — The competitive position of the Property and Casualty Group is based on many factors including price considerations, service levels, ease of doing business, product features and billing arrangements, among others. Pricing of Property and Casualty Group policies is directly affected by the cost structure of the Property and Casualty Group and the underlying costs of sales, underwriting and policy issuance activities performed by the Company for the Property and Casualty Group. In 2006, the Company has worked to better align its growth in costs to the growth in premium over the long term. The Company’s goal for 2006 is to hold growth in non-commission costs to 9% or less. Through September 30, 2006, the growth in non-commission expenses has been 7.9%.
At the same time the Company is seeking to spur growth with a new incentive program that pays a $50 bonus to agents for each new private passenger auto policy issued. The estimated cost of this program is $2.8 million for the second half of 2006 and $5.9 million for 2007. Through September 2006, the Company has incurred $1.4 million related to this program.
Insurance Underwriting Operations
The Company’s insurance underwriting operations originate through direct business of its property/casualty insurance subsidiaries but net underwriting results are a product of the intercompany reinsurance pooling agreement between its subsidiaries and the Erie Insurance Exchange.
Total segment results
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended        
    September 30     Percent     September 30     Percent  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     Change     2006     2005     Change  
Premiums earned
  $ 53,017     $ 53,908       (1.7 )%   $ 160,868     $ 161,721       (.5 )%
 
                                       
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred
    32,573       36,995       (12.0 )     101,261       103,457       (2.1 )
Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses
    14,714       15,215       (3.3 )     46,238       45,407       1.8  
 
                                       
Total losses and expenses
    47,287       52,210       (9.4 )     147,499       148,864       (.9 )
 
                                       
Underwriting income
  $ 5,730     $ 1,698     NM   $ 13,369     $ 12,857       4.0 %
 
                                       
 
NM = Not Meaningful
HIGHLIGHTS
    Favorable development of prior accident years, excluding salvage and subrogation recoveries, improved the GAAP combined ratio by 3.8 points in the third quarter of 2006 while such development added 5.0 points to the combined ratio in the third quarter of 2005
 
    Catastrophe losses incurred amounted to 1.6 points of the GAAP combined ratio in the third quarter of 2006 compared to only a .5 point addition in the third quarter of 2005

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
PROFITABILITY MEASURES
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
Company GAAP Loss and LAE ratio
    61.4 %     68.6 %     62.9 %     64.0 %
Company GAAP Combined ratio (1)
    89.2       96.9       91.7       92.1  
P&C Group adjusted statutory combined ratio (2)
    83.7       85.9       86.1       83.3  
Direct business
                               
Personal lines statutory combined ratio
    85.1       90.5       88.5       85.4  
Commercial lines statutory combined ratio
    79.7       92.7       80.8       82.1  
Prior accident year reserve development- deficiency (redundancy)
    (3.8 )     5.0 (3)     (3.8 )     (.8 )
Salvage/subrogation recoveries collected
    (.9 )     (.8 )     (1.9 )     (1.7 )
 
                       
Total loss ratio points from prior accident years
    (4.7 )%     4.2 %     (5.7 )%     (2.5 )%
 
                       
 
(1)   The GAAP combined ratio represents the ratio of losses, loss adjustment, acquisition and other underwriting expenses incurred to premiums earned.
 
(2)   The adjusted statutory combined ratio removes the profit component of the management fee earned by the Company.
 
(3)   There is an offsetting reduction to the adverse development on direct business during the third quarter of 2005 related to assumed voluntary business reserves related to the World Trade Center. See further discussion following the table.
Development of direct loss reserves
The Company’s 5.5% share of the Property and Casualty Group’s development of prior accident year losses contributed to the improvement of the combined ratio in the third quarter of 2006 compared to 2005. The Company’s share of prior accident year loss development was a favorable impact of $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2006 compared to adverse development of $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2005. The Property and Casualty Group’s reduction to prior accident year reserves of $37.2 million, net of salvage and subrogation recoveries, in the third quarter of 2006 was driven by improvements in the uninsured and underinsured motorists (UM/UIM) automobile and workers compensation lines of business. The improvement experienced in UM/UIM automobile was partially due to more effective claims handling resulting from specialized UM/UIM claim units. Additionally, severity trends have been continuing to improve in the workers compensation line leading to favorable development in that line of business. The largest contributing factor to the adverse development in the third quarter of 2005 was a $47.0 million (net of ceded recoveries) increase to pre-1986 automobile catastrophe liability reserves recorded by the Property and Casualty Group. The reserve re-estimates on these claims during 2005 took into account updated trends with respect to ongoing attendant care costs for these claimants.
The combined ratio was negatively impacted by a seasonality adjustment in the third quarter 2006, of which the Company’s share of this increase was $2.9 million. The remaining improvement in the third quarter 2006 combined ratio was the result of the activity related to the incurred but not reported reserves on catastrophe losses discussed below.
Catastrophe losses
Catastrophes are an inherent risk of the property/casualty insurance business and can have a material impact on the Company’s insurance underwriting results. In addressing this risk, the Company employs what it believes are reasonable underwriting standards. The Company models potential losses which supports the catastrophic reinsurance coverage that is ultimately selected consistent with industry coverages. The Property and Casualty Group maintains catastrophe reinsurance coverage from

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
unaffiliated insurers. No loss recoverables were recorded under this treaty at September 30, 2006.
The Company’s share of catastrophe losses incurred as defined by the Property and Casualty Group amounted to $2.4 million, or 4.5 GAAP combined ratio points in the third quarter of 2006. The third quarter catastrophes included storm-related losses in the Group’s territories. The previously established incurred but not reported reserves related to the second quarter 2006 storms were reversed during the third quarter of 2006 and reduced third quarter GAAP combined ratio by 2.9 points or $1.5 million. Catastrophe losses incurred were $5.9 million and $.8 million for the first nine months of 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Excess-of-loss reinsurance agreement
The Property and Casualty Group did not renew the all lines excess-of-loss reinsurance agreement between the Exchange and the Company’s property/casualty insurance subsidiaries for accident year 2006. The agreement required that any unpaid loss recoverables be commuted 60 months after an annual period. While the excess-of-loss agreement was not renewed, the unexpired accident years of 2001 through 2005 will be settled and losses will be commuted as the 60-month periods expire. The remaining effects of the excess-of-loss reinsurance agreement between the Company’s property/casualty insurance subsidiaries and the Exchange are also reflected in the reinsurance business when looking at the Company’s results on a segment basis. The results of the excess-of-loss reinsurance agreement are not subject to pooling under the intercompany pooling arrangement. The premium paid to the Exchange for this agreement in the first nine months of 2005 was $2.5 million.
Net charges recorded under the excess-of-loss reinsurance agreement for accident years prior to 2006, totaled $.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to charges of $2.3 million for the same period of 2005. In the third quarter of 2005, the Property and Casualty Group reduced its reserves related to the September 11th 2001 event by $42 million, of which the Company’s share was $2.3 million. This reserve change triggered a $2.2 million reduction in recoveries during the third quarter of 2005 to the Company under the aggregate excess-of-loss reinsurance agreement for the 2001 accident year. The resulting net effect to the Company of this World Trade Center reserve activity was a $.1 million reduction to expense in the third quarter of 2005.
Investment Operations
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Nine Months Ended        
    September 30     Percent     September 30     Percent  
(in thousands)   2006     2005     Change     2006     2005     Change  
Net investment income
  $ 12,215     $ 14,755       (17.2 )%   $ 41,818     $ 45,158       (7.4 )%
Net realized (losses) gains on investments
    (872 )     1,765     NM     (721 )     16,457     NM
Equity in earnings of limited partnerships
    10,848       8,032       35.1       29,049       30,788       (5.7 )
Equity in earnings of EFL
    682       560       21.8       2,763       2,868       (3.7 )
 
                                       
Net revenue from investment operations
  $ 22,873     $ 25,112       (8.9 )%   $ 72,909     $ 95,271       (23.5 )%
 
                                       
    Net investment income decreased 17.2% for the quarter as a result of lower invested asset balances due to share repurchase activity.
 
    The net realized losses on investments in the third quarter of 2006 include $1.6 million from impairment charges recognized on the Company’s equity securities primarily in the technology and real estate sectors

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
    Equity in earnings of limited partnerships increased $2.8 million in large part due to income generated by real estate limited partnerships
Net realized gains and losses on investments included impairment charges of $1.6 million and $.9 million on fixed maturity and equity securities in the third quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively. Impairment charges on equity securities totaled $4.1 million and $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Impairment charges on fixed maturities totaled $.9 million and $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. During 2005, the company moved its remaining internally-managed equity securities to external managers generating realized gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.
Private equity and mezzanine debt limited partnerships generated earnings of $6.7 million and $8.1 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Real estate limited partnerships generated earnings of $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2006 compared to losses of $.1 million in the third quarter of 2005. This increase was largely due to the timing of receipt of certain earnings. The real estate limited partnership earnings are more normalized for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Investments
The Company’s investment strategy takes a long-term perspective emphasizing investment quality, diversification and superior investment returns. Investments are managed on a total return approach that focuses on current income and capital appreciation. The Company’s investment strategy also provides for liquidity to meet the short- and long-term commitments of the Company. At September 30, 2006, the Company’s investment portfolio of investment-grade bonds and preferred stock, common stock and cash and cash equivalents represents $1.0 billion, or 34.3%, of total assets. These investments provide the liquidity the Company requires to meet the demands on its funds.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 the Company repurchased 3,992,874 shares, at a cost of $216 million, of its outstanding Class A common stock in conjunction with the continuation of the stock repurchase plan. The Company used cash from the sale of its fixed maturity portfolio to fund its Class A common stock repurchase plan and as a result, fixed maturity balances have continued to decline throughout 2006. From December 31, 2005 to September 30, 2006 fixed maturities have decreased $179.0 million to $793.2 million at September 30, 2006.
The Company’s investments are subject to certain risks, including interest rate and price risk. The Company’s exposure to interest rates is concentrated in its fixed maturities portfolio. The fixed maturities portfolio comprises 62.4% and 69.6% of invested assets at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The Company calculates the duration and convexity of the fixed maturities portfolio each month to measure the price sensitivity of the portfolio to interest rate changes. Duration measures the relative sensitivity of the fair value of an investment to changes in interest rates. Convexity measures the rate of change of duration with respect to changes in interest rates. These factors are analyzed monthly to ensure that both the duration and convexity remain in the targeted ranges established by management.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
The Company continually reviews the investment portfolio to evaluate positions that might incur other-than-temporary declines in value. For all investment holdings, general economic conditions and/or condition specifically affecting the underlying issuer or its industry, including downgrades by the major rating agencies, are considered in evaluating impairment in value. In addition to specific factors, other factors considered in the Company’s review of investment valuation are the length of time the market value is below cost and the amount the market value is below cost.
There is a presumption of impairment for common equity securities when the decline is, in management’s opinion significant and of an extended duration. The Company considers market conditions, industry characteristics and the fundamental operating results of the issuer to determine if sufficient objective evidence exists to refute the presumption of impairment. When the presumption of impairment is confirmed, the Company will recognize an impairment charge to operations. Impairments are included in realized losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
For fixed maturity and preferred stock investments, the Company individually analyzes all positions with emphasis on those that have, in management’s opinion, declined significantly below cost. The Company considers market conditions, industry characteristics and the fundamental operating results of the issuer to determine if the decline is due to changes in interest rates, changes relating to a decline in credit quality, or other issues affecting the investment. A charge is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for positions that have experienced other-than-temporary impairments due to credit quality or other factors, or for which it is not the intent or ability of the Company to hold the position until recovery has occurred. (See “Analysis of Investment Operations” section).
If the Company’s policy for determining the recognition of impaired positions were different, the Company’s Consolidated Results of Operations could be significantly impacted. Management believes its investment valuation philosophy and accounting practices result in appropriate and timely measurement of value and recognition of impairment.
The Company’s portfolio of marketable equity securities, which is carried on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at estimated fair value, has exposure to price risk, the risk of potential loss in estimated fair value resulting from an adverse change in prices. The Company does not hedge its exposure to equity price risk inherent in its equity investments. The Company’s objective is to earn competitive relative returns by investing in a diverse portfolio of high-quality, liquid securities. Portfolio holdings are diversified across industries and among exchange traded mid- to large-cap stocks. The Company measures risk by comparing the performance of the marketable equity portfolio to benchmark returns such as the S&P 500.
Property/casualty loss reserves
Loss reserves are established to account for the estimated ultimate costs of loss and loss adjustment expenses for claims that have been reported but not yet settled and claims that have been incurred but not reported.
Multiple actuarial methods are used in estimating unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense liabilities. Each methodology utilizes unique assumptions and variables. A range of reasonable estimates is developed utilizing these methods for each product line or product coverage analyzed. The presence or absence and magnitude of underlying variables, their interaction, and their recognition in estimation methods will cause the width of the range to vary for different product segments and over time for the

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
same product segment. The final estimate recorded by management is a function of detailed analyses of historical trends adjusted as new emerging data indicates.
The factors which may potentially cause the greatest variation between current reserve estimates and the actual future paid amounts are: unforeseen changes in statutory or case law altering the amounts to be paid on existing claim obligations, new medical procedures and/or drugs whose cost is significantly different from that seen in the past, and claims patterns on current business that differ significantly from historical claims patterns.
The potential variability in the catastrophic injury reserves, more specifically, can be primarily attributed to automobile no-fault claims incurred prior to 1986. The automobile no-fault law in Pennsylvania at that time provided for unlimited medical benefits. There are currently 339 claimants requiring lifetime medical care of which 85 involve catastrophic injuries. The estimation of ultimate liabilities for these claims is subject to significant judgment due to assumptions that must be made for mortality rates, medical inflation costs, changes in medical technologies and variations in claimant health over time.
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are presented on the Company’s Statements of Financial Position on a gross basis for EIC, EINY, and EIPC, the property/casualty insurance subsidiaries of the Company that wrote about 17% of the direct property/casualty premiums of the Property and Casualty Group. Under the terms of the Property and Casualty Group’s quota share and intercompany pooling arrangement, a significant portion of these reserve liabilities are recoverable. Recoverable amounts are reflected as an asset on the Company’s Statements of Financial Position. The direct and assumed loss and loss adjustment expense reserves by major line of business and the related amount recoverable under the intercompany pooling arrangement and excess-of-loss reinsurance agreement are presented below:
                 
    As of  
    September 30,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2006     2005  
Gross reserve liability
               
Personal:
               
Private passenger auto
  $ 381,187     $ 413,118  
Catastrophic injury
    160,555       123,875  
Homeowners
    24,105       23,995  
Other personal
    10,245       6,978  
Commercial:
               
Workers’ compensation
    221,789       231,858  
Commercial auto
    85,121       83,688  
Commercial multi-peril
    68,277       65,891  
Catastrophic injury
    458       468  
Other commercial
    19,778       15,894  
Reinsurance
    49,023       53,694  
 
           
Gross reserves
    1,020,538       1,019,459  
Reinsurance recoverables
    830,541       828,447  
 
           
Net reserve liability
  $ 189,997     $ 191,012  
 
           
As discussed previously, loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are developed using multiple estimation methods that result in a range of estimates for each product coverage group. The estimate recorded is a function of detailed analysis of historical trends and management expectations of future events and trends. The product coverage that has the greatest potential for variation is the pre-1986

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
automobile catastrophic injury liability reserve. The range of reasonable estimates for the pre-1986 automobile catastrophic injury liability reserve, net of reinsurance recoverables, for both personal and commercial is from $205.1 million to $494.3 million for the Property and Casualty Group. The reserve carried by the Property and Casualty Group, which is management’s best estimate of this liability at this time, was $289.3 million at September 30, 2006, which is net of $127.9 million of anticipated reinsurance recoverables. The Company’s property/casualty subsidiaries share of the net automobile catastrophic injury liability reserve is $15.9 million at September 30, 2006.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
There are no off-balance sheet obligations related to the variable interest the Company has in the Exchange. Any liabilities between the Exchange and the Company are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position of the Company. The Company has no other material off-balance sheet obligations or guarantees.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity is a measure of an entity’s ability to secure enough cash to meet its contractual obligations and operating needs. The Company has historically generated sufficient net positive cash flow from its operations to fund its commitments and build the investment portfolio. The Company also maintains a high degree of liquidity in its investment portfolio in the form of readily marketable fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments.
The Company’s primary sources of cash from operations are generated from its net management revenues and by collecting and investing in premiums from new and renewal business in advance of paying claims. Management fees from the Exchange represented 73.7% of the Company’s total revenues for the third quarter of 2006. Cash outflows are variable because settlement dates for claim payments vary and cannot be predicted with absolute certainty. While volatility in claims payments could be significant for the Property and Casualty Group, the effect on the Company of this volatility is mitigated by the intercompany reinsurance pooling arrangement. The cash flow requirements for claims have not historically been significant to the Company’s liquidity. Historically, about 50% of losses and loss adjustment expenses included in the reserve are paid out in the subsequent 12-month period and approximately 89% is paid out within a five year period. Such payments are reduced by recoveries under the intercompany reinsurance pooling agreement. The Company generated positive cash flows from its operating activities of $174.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
Cash paid in the first nine months of 2006 for agent bonuses was $73.7 million, of which $70.2 million was accrued at December 31, 2005. The Company made an $8.1 million contribution to its pension plan in 2006. In 2005, the maximum contribution under the IRS code was zero, therefore no contribution could be made by the Company to the plan.
During the third quarter of 2006, the Company repurchased 328,862 shares of its outstanding Class A common stock in conjunction with the continuation of the stock repurchase plan that was authorized in February 2006. The shares were purchased at a total cost of $16.5 million. The Company has $130 million remaining under this plan authorized through December 31, 2009. (See Part II of Item 2. Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.)

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The Company makes estimates and assumptions that have a significant effect on the amounts and disclosures reported in the financial statements. The most significant estimates relate to valuation of investments, reserves for property/casualty insurance unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and retirement benefits. While management believes its estimates are appropriate, the ultimate amounts may differ from estimates provided. The Company’s most critical accounting estimates are described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. There have been no significant changes to the policies surrounding these estimates since that time.
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
Financial condition of the Exchange
The Company has a direct interest in the financial condition of the Exchange because management fee revenues are based on the direct written premiums of the Exchange and the other members of the Property and Casualty Group. Additionally, the Company participates in the underwriting results of the Exchange through the pooling arrangement in which the Company’s insurance subsidiaries have 5.5% participation. A concentration of credit risk also exists related to the unsecured receivables due from the Exchange for certain fees, costs and reimbursements.
To the extent that the Exchange incurs underwriting losses or investment losses resulting from declines in the value of its marketable securities, the Exchange’s policyholders’ surplus would be adversely affected. If the surplus of the Exchange were to decline significantly from its current level, the Property and Casualty Group could find it more difficult to retain its existing business and attract new business. A decline in the business of the Property and Casualty Group would have an adverse effect on the amount of the management fees the Company receives and the underwriting results of the Property and Casualty Group in which the Company has 5.5% participation. In addition, a substantial decline in the surplus of the Exchange from its current level would make it more likely that the management fee rate would be reduced.
At September 30, 2006, the Exchange had $3.9 billion in statutory surplus and a premium to surplus ratio of 1 to 1. The Company believes the Exchange’s capital levels are very strong.
Additional information, including condensed statutory financial statements of the Exchange, are presented in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Insurance premium rates
The changes in premiums written attributable to rate changes of the Property and Casualty Group directly affect underwriting profitability of the Property and Casualty Group, the Exchange and the Company and also have a direct bearing on management fee. Rate reductions have been implemented and continue to be sought in 2006 by the Property and Casualty Group to recognize improved underwriting results and to maintain price competitiveness.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Pricing actions contemplated or taken by the Property and Casualty Group are subject to various regulatory requirements of the states in which these insurers operate. The pricing actions already implemented, or to be implemented through 2006, will also have an effect on the market competitiveness of the Property and Casualty Group’s insurance products. Such pricing actions, and those of competitors, could affect the ability of the Company’s agents to sell and/or renew business. Management forecasts that pricing actions approved, filed and awaiting approval or contemplated through 2006, will reduce premium for the Property and Casualty Group by $33 million through the remainder of the year.
The Property and Casualty Group continues refining its pricing segmentation model for private passenger auto and homeowners lines of business. The refined rating plans include significantly more pricing segments than the former plans, providing the Company greater flexibility in pricing for policyholders with varying degrees of risk. Insurance scoring is among the most significant risk factors the Company has recently incorporated into the rating plans. Refining pricing segmentation should enable the Company to provide more competitive rates to policyholders with varying risk characteristics, as risks can be more accurately priced over time.
The continued introduction of new pricing variables could impact retention of existing policyholders and could affect the Property and Casualty Group’s ability to attract new policyholders. These outcomes will then impact the Property and Casualty Group’s premium dollars and ultimately the Company’s management fee revenue.
Policy growth
Premium levels attributable to growth in policies in force of the Property and Casualty Group directly affect the profitability of management operations of the Company. The continued focus on underwriting discipline and implementation of the new rate classification plan through the pricing segmentation model resulted in an initial reduction in new policy sales and policy retention ratios, as expected. In 2006, new policy sales and policy retention ratios have experienced modest but steady improvements. The growth of the policy base of the Property and Casualty Group is dependent upon its ability to retain existing and attract new policyholders. A lack of new policy growth or the inability to retain existing customers could have an adverse effect on the growth of premium levels for the Property and Casualty Group.
Catastrophe losses
The Property and Casualty Group conducts business in 11 states and the District of Columbia, primarily in the mid-Atlantic, midwestern and southeastern portions of the United States. A substantial portion of the business is private passenger and commercial automobile, homeowners and other commercial lines of business in Ohio, Maryland, Virginia and particularly, Pennsylvania. As a result, a single catastrophe occurrence or destructive weather pattern could have a material adverse affect on the results of operations and surplus position of the members of the Property and Casualty Group. Common catastrophic events

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
include severe winter storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, wind and hail storms. In its homeowners line of insurance, the Property and Casualty Group is particularly exposed to an Atlantic hurricane, which might strike the states of North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The Property and Casualty Group maintains catastrophe occurrence reinsurance coverage to mitigate the future potential catastrophe loss exposure.
Information technology development and costs
During the second quarter of 2006, following an extensive evaluation, the Company announced its decision to cease development of ErieConnection, the web based policy processing and administration system under development since 2002. During the third quarter, substantially all policies previously converted to that system were reverted to the Company’s legacy policy processing system. Management has established a broad program of initiatives to enhance the functionality of its legacy processing and Agency interface systems aimed at improving the ease of doing business, enhancing Agent and Employee productivity and access to information. Several of these initiatives are underway and others are in the planning or preliminary development stages. The entire cost and duration of the program is not yet determined but is not expected to have a material financial impact to the Company in any single period.
Other aspects of the Company’s eCommerce program included Agent connectivity and development of robust customer-centric information systems. The development of an enterprise information repository began in 2006 and development is ongoing. Overall costs for this development are not yet estimable as the scope and timing of this development is still under consideration by management. Management is also exploring alternatives for further development of Agency interface systems but is unable to estimate the timing and cost of these efforts at this early stage of evaluation.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company’s exposure to market risk is primarily related to fluctuations in prices and interest rates. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk resulting from changes in prices and interest rates are included in Item 7A. in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in such risks or the Company’s periodic reviews of asset and liability positions during the three months ended September 30, 2006. The information contained in the investments section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company’s objective is to earn competitive returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of securities. The Company is exposed to credit risk through its portfolios of fixed maturity securities, nonredeemable preferred stock, mortgage loans and to a lesser extent short-term investments. This risk is defined as the potential loss in market value resulting from adverse changes in the borrower’s ability to repay the debt. The Company manages this risk by performing up front underwriting analysis and ongoing reviews of credit quality by position and for the fixed maturity portfolio in total. The Company does not hedge credit risk inherent in its fixed maturity investments.
The Company has significant receivables from the Exchange, which are subject to credit risk. Company results are directly related to the financial strength of the Exchange. Credit risks related to the receivables from the Exchange are evaluated periodically by Company management. Since the Company’s inception, it has collected all amounts due from the Exchange in a timely manner (generally within 120 days).
“Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain forward-looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include certain discussions relating to management fee revenue, cost of management operations, underwriting, premium and investment income volume, business strategies, profitability and business relationships and the Company’s other business activities during 2006 and beyond. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “potential” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views about future events, are based on assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those anticipated in those statements. Many of the factors that will determine future events or achievements are beyond our ability to control or predict.

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective for gathering, analyzing and disclosing the information the Company is required to disclose in the reports it files under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Our management evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and determined that there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
                                 
                            Approximate  
                            Dollar Value  
                    Total Number of     of Shares that  
    Total Number     Average     Shares Purchased     May Yet Be  
    of Shares     Price Paid     as Part of Publicly     Purchased Under  
Period   Purchased     Per Share     Announced Plan     the Plan  
July 1 – 31, 2006
    251,359     $ 50.08       248,626          
August 1 – 31, 2006
    80,236       49.85       80,236          
September 1 – 30, 2006
    0       0.00       0          
 
                           
Total
    331,595               328,862     $ 130,000,000  
 
                         
The month of July 2006 includes 2,733 shares that vested under the stock compensation plan for the Company’s outside directors. Included in this amount are the vesting of 2,493 of awards previously granted and 240 dividend equivalent shares that vest as they are granted (as dividends are declared by the Company).
In February 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a continuation of the stock repurchase program for an additional $250 million authorizing repurchases through December 31, 2009.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION (Continued)
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
     
Exhibit    
Number   Description of Exhibit
 
   
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
   
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
   
32
  Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
 
       
 
  Erie Indemnity Company    
 
       
 
  (Registrant)    
 
       
Date: November 1, 2006
  /s/ Jeffrey A. Ludrof    
 
       
 
  Jeffrey A. Ludrof, President & CEO    
 
       
 
  /s/ Philip A. Garcia    
 
       
 
  Philip A. Garcia, Executive Vice President & CFO    
 
       

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