History of Erie Insurance

The story of Erie Insurance begins almost a century ago. Two insurance salesmen realize that they’re so good at what they do that they should start an insurance exchange of their own. H.O. Hirt and O.G. Crawford were those two salesmen.

Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Henry Orth Hirt began his career as a teacher. But a bout of Tuberculosis altered his course and ultimately steered him to the Pennsylvania Insurance Exchange (PIE). H.O.’s health could not withstand substantial labor, so a sales position was the perfect fit. Once hired, H.O. realized he had a natural talent and quickly excelled at his job.

Oliver Grover Crawford had a more blue-collar background. Instead of going to college as H.O. had, he joined the Navy and served for six years. Then, he became a brakeman for the railroad. One day, O.G. happened to cross paths with H.O. and this new acquaintance suggest he try sales at PIE. O.G. took H.O.’s advice and turned in his coveralls for a suit. Just like H.O., he excelled at his job. In a single month, he even completed 243 applications!

The new friends decided to take their success to the next level by turning their friendship into a partnership. In 1924, they submitted their resignations and began organizing the Erie Insurance Exchange. In 3 months and 20 days, they won over 90 stockholders with a business plan they’d written on the equivalent of a legal pad. Surely their natural appeal and sincere enthusiasm helped stockholders embrace their mission:

“To provide our Policyholders with as near perfect protection, as near perfect service, as is humanly possible, and to do so at the lowest possible cost.” -H.O. Hirt 

Just as they promised, H.O. and O.G. founded their venture on exceptional customer service. They even created a clever tagline to show it: The ERIE is Above all in S^ERv^Ic^E . They elevated ERIE in “service” to emphasize that they put service above all else. To prove they meant it, they urged customers to call collect and handed out H.O.’s direct line to any customer who had a claims issue.

Word of their outstanding service quickly spread, and so did their business. They now operate in 12 states and the District of Columbia. This two-person venture has also become a FORTUNE® 500 company. And Erie Insurance North Carolina providers maintain the same customer service standards the founders laid out almost a century ago.

Awards and Rankings

Among the largest national insurance carriers, you’ll find Erie Insurance. Clemmons, NC, is one of the lucky cities that can benefit from their service. Though Erie Insurance is only a regional insurance company in 12 states, they are nationally recognized as:

• 12^th largest auto insurer in the U.S. 
• 11^th largest home insurer in the U.S.  
• 12^th largest business insurer in the U.S. 

Erie Insurance is also respected for its financial stability, earning: 

• A.M. Best’s A+ rating for Erie Insurance Group  
• A.M. Best’s A rating for Erie Family Life Insurance Company 
• FORTUNE® 500 ranking since 2003 

Erie Insurance has also earned these awards: 

• ACE (Achievement in Customer Excellence) Awards in 2016 and 2017 from Confirmit 
• The Brotherhood of Children Award: given to H.O. Hirt in 1954 for a life dedicated to helping the less fortunate 

Erie Insurance North Carolina: Clemmons

When looking for Erie Insurance, Clemmons NC businesses and residents don’t have to look far. ALLCHOICE is a local independent provider with an office right here in Clemmons, NC. 

ALLCHOICE serves the following cities for Erie Insurance:

• Clemmons, NC
• Advance, NC
• Lewisville, NC
• Welcome, NC
• Lexington, NC
• Bethania, NC
• Wallburg, NC
• Mocksville, NC
• East Bend, NC
• Tobaccoville, NC
• Rural Hall, NC
• and more!

For Erie Insurance in Clemmons NC can count on ALLCHOICE!

ALLCHOICE Insurance

Erie Insurance Independent Agent

2513 Neudorf Rd

Clemmons, NC 27012

336.360.8870