Our history is rich in caring, friendly service.

1864 – Edwin K. McConkey

Son of William and Susan (Silver), Edwin Knight McConkey was born December 11, 1864 in Wrightsville, PA. He went to public school and then attended York Collegiate Institute, which later became York College.

1890 – Inception of McConkey Agency

McConkey Insurance & Benefits has a significant history that dates back to its inception in 1890. That’s the year Edwin K. McConkey, an employee of the Farmers Fire Insurance Company, started the agency to have a local outlet to sell policies for his insurance company. In addition to being employed by the insurance company and running his agency, he also served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a state senator. It’s also interesting to note that he was the first Yorker to drive an automobile. Mr. McConkey died in 1910.

1925 – McConkey Sold for $1

Upon Mr. McConkey’s death, his wife sold the agency for $1.00 to a family member. The agency remained a small family agency for many years.

1950 – New Partners Boost Agency Growth

In the 1950s, Jack Barnhart became employed by the agency. When he took over, the agency had just four employees. Barnhart began to grow the agency, concentrating on commercial insurance. He targeted York’s largest and best run businesses as customers. As the agency grew, he added Thomas Hamm as a partner in the late 1960s and Maurice Bobst in the early 1970s. They contributed greatly to making the agency one of the finest in Central Pennsylvania.

1980s – Agency Moves and Incorporates

Over the years described above, the agency was located at 53 East Market Street in downtown York on the second floor of the Farmers Fire Insurance Company. In 1986 McConkey was incorporated as E.K. McConkey & Co., Inc. with Barnhart, Hamm, Bobst and Henry J. Christ, III as shareholders. In 1987, success dictated that the agency move in order to operate more efficiently and to accommodate further growth. The agency doubled its square footage by moving to a location at 497 Hill Street in Spring Garden Township.

1990s – McConkey Merges With Yorkwright Insurance, Inc

The agency continued to grow at a rapid pace through organic growth and by acquisition. In the late 1990s, the agency merged with Yorkwright Insurance, Inc. This merger gave the agency additional personal automobile and homeowner’s volume to allow the agency to compete favorably for these lines of coverage.

2001 – McConkey Merges With NL Associates and Moves

In 2001, the agency merged with NL Associates, one of the leading life and benefits agencies in York. This merger nearly tripled the size of the benefits department. This merger, coupled with property/casualty growth, forced McConkey to again look for more space. As a result, McConkey moved to its current location in October 2001.

2015 – McConkey Launches New Subsidiary

McConkey launched new subsidiary, Valley Forge Captive Advisors specializing in group captive products for businesses throughout the United States. The launch of VFCA as part of McConkey’s captive division makes McConkey one of the largest group captive brokers in the nation. Office located in Valley Forge, PA.

2015 – McConkey Celebrates 125th Anniversary

The agency celebrated it’s 125th year in business with a year full of giving back to the local community.

2023 – McConkey Merges with Gallen Insurance Agency

The agency merged with Gallen Insurance Agency in Berks County. The merger not only expands McConkey’s geographic footprint, but also reinforces its mission to expand through partnership with other local insurance agencies who share similar philosophical approaches to client service and innovate insurance solutions. By joining forces, the agencies aim to provide an extended range of insurance options and personalized solutions to businesses and individuals in the mid-Atlantic region.

Who We Are Today

Today our award-winning team is more than 130 employees strong and continues to grow with two locations in PA. By following the same core values and business model since our inception, our priority continues to focus on offering an unmatched service platform to our existing and future client base, keep our team-based approach in everything we do and actively contribute to our wonderful community.