Erie Indemnity Company - Summer Travel With Safety In Mind

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Summer Travel With Safety In Mind

Erie, Pa., June, 2004 - The summer vacation season is upon us, and families are expected to be hitting the roads and taking to the skies in droves this summer--the most since September 11th.

The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) is forecasting a 3.2 percent increase in leisure travel for the 2004 summer season, and estimating that Americans will take more than 334 million person-trips, one person traveling 50+miles, one-way, away from home, during June, July and August of 2004.

Trends in travel have shifted in the past few years according to the TIA. More Americans are choosing to drive to their vacation destinations and auto travel comprises the vast majority of U.S. domestic travel at 79 percent. Vacationers are staying in more rural locations closer to home, and traveling in RV's. Even with the increase in ground travel, air travel is also growing, up almost five percent in 2004 compared to last year.

Travel is a great American pastime. However, a tourist in unfamiliar territory, mapping out destinations for the day, taking photos of children, carrying luggage, and asking for directions to the next stop, could set up him or herself to be an easy target for thieves.

"Families feel a need to be closer together, and family vacations are offering a great opportunity for this 'togetherness.' We at Erie Insurance Group want to ensure that not only are the vacations a time of relaxation and fun, but that everyone arrives home safe as well," said Jeffrey A. Ludrof, President and CEO of Erie Insurance Group, a leading property/casualty insurer.

Erie Insurance Group offers the following tips to help prepare for this summer's vacation, and to make sure it is a fun and memorable one:

When flying, check your flight status repeatedly, and know your travel agent's number or airline's 800 number, as well as your flight numbers and exact times. When traveling with an E-ticket, carry a printout of your itinerary. Also, it is important to note that most airlines now limit you to one carry-on, and it must fit within the specified size requirements, and pass through specific security measures. More information on security requirements can be found at www.tsa.gov.
Carry a list of phone numbers for all of your reserved amenities: campground or hotel, rental car agency and airline.
Use traveler's checks and a credit card. Avoid taking extra cash and always take your credit card or ATM receipts. Don't throw them into public trash containers, leave them on the counter or put them in your shopping bag where they can easily fall out or get stolen.
Limit the amount of personal information in your purse or wallet to the bare minimum. Avoid carrying additional credit cards, social security cards or passport unless absolutely necessary.
In your vehicle, keep valuables out of sight, and don't advertise that you are a tourist. Put maps away in the glove box. Keep your doors locked, and your seat belts on when you are driving, and park in well-lit areas.
Know where you are going, and how to get there. Many robberies and carjackings occur when tourists accidentally arrive in unfamiliar and unsafe areas.
Drive well rested. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), falling asleep while driving is responsible for at least 100,000 automobile crashes, 40,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities every year.
Drive unimpaired. In 2001 alone, NHTSA estimates that 275,000 people were injured and 17,448 persons died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Vacations are a time for fun and relaxation, but common sense should not be left at home. Drinking and driving is a serious offense with equally serious consequences.
Choose a hotel with well-lit parking areas and grounds, and request rooms that open to interior hallways. Always engage the safety bar and deadbolt on your door when you are in your room, and never prop open your door.
Never leave valuables in your room. Use the hotel safe at the front desk.

Though you may be far from home in unfamiliar territory, these tips can help you be ready to deal with the unexpected. Vacations can be fun and safe when you head out with heightened awareness of your personal safety and potential dangers.

Known for competitive rates and superior service, Erie Insurance Group is a leading property/casualty insurer in the United States. With more than 3.7 million policies in force, Erie Insurance Group includes seven companies operating in 11 states and the District of Columbia and is rated A+ (superior) by A.M. Best Company. Erie Indemnity Company (Nasdaq: ERIE) is the management company for Erie Insurance Group. Headquartered in Erie, Pa., since 1925, the ERIE provides auto, home, business and life insurance through more than 7,300 independent agents representing nearly 1,800 agencies. Erie Insurance Group ranks No. 368 among the FORTUNE 500 and is included in FORBES "Platinum 400" list of America's best-managed companies. For more information and a listing of independent agents representing The ERIE in your community, visit the company's Web site at http://www.erieinsurance.com/

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