How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Erie Insurance
Covers 11 insurance accounts — beneficiaries must be updated in-branch
ERIE Customer Care
Erie Insurance Group, 100 Erie Insurance Place, Erie, PA 16530-1104
ERIE Property & Casualty (auto, home, renters) - no death benefit; the estate keeps coverage in force, changes the named insured, or cancels through the deceased's local ERIE agent
Erie Insurance Group, 100 Erie Insurance Place, Erie, PA 16530-1104
Erie Family Life Death Claims (life insurance AND annuity contracts)
Erie Family Life Insurance Company, 100 Erie Insurance Place, Erie, PA 16530
Estate planning with Erie Insurance policies centers on beneficiary designations—the single most important step for ensuring life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits reach the intended recipients without probate involvement. Unlike bank or brokerage accounts, insurance products are not retitled into trusts; instead, trusts are named as beneficiaries when estate tax planning or controlled distributions are needed.
Across 11 product types, Erie Insurance policies vary in how they transfer at death. The sections below walk through beneficiary designations, trust funding options, and which products support each method.
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Percentage allocations must total 100% for each beneficiary tier
- Beneficiary designations override instructions in a will
- Only the policyowner can change beneficiary designations
- Children under 18 cannot receive benefits directly; name a custodian or trust instead
- Spousal consent may be required in community property states
- Erie sells exclusively through agents; your local agent can assist with beneficiary changes
Sources
Data sourced from Erie Insurance primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Erie Insurance instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Erie Insurance primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
ERIE Customer Care
Erie Insurance Group, 100 Erie Insurance Place, Erie, PA 16530-1104
ERIE Property & Casualty (auto, home, renters) - no death benefit; the estate keeps coverage in force, changes the named insured, or cancels through the deceased's local ERIE agent
Erie Insurance Group, 100 Erie Insurance Place, Erie, PA 16530-1104
Erie Family Life Death Claims (life insurance AND annuity contracts)
Erie Family Life Insurance Company, 100 Erie Insurance Place, Erie, PA 16530
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