Kristen McArdle, CIC

McArdle Insurance Agency, Inc., Columbia, MD

Principal Agent

Age: 38

Years in Industry: 15

How did you get your start in the insurance industry?

When I was three years old, my dad opened a scratch agency after working for years in claims and sales for a carrier. I got my insurance license when I was in college and worked summers in the family business. After college, I decided to work in the hospitality industry on cruise ships. After three years of working long hours, I realized that the insurance industry would provide me with much more stability than working on ships. I came back 13 years ago and perpetuated the agency along with my brother in 2017.

What does your typical workday look like?

I’m involved in every aspect of the agency. I work with sales and servicing of personal lines and commercial lines accounts, oversee our marketing and social media, track claims and loss ratios, manage our staff, and everything in between. A large part of my job is wearing many different hats depending on the day … so it keeps every day interesting!

What’s your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is the people – both staff and clients. When you work in a client-facing atmosphere, you know that no two days will be the same. It is incredibly, intrinsically rewarding when you get to know the families that you protect. Each year when I get holiday cards from clients, I know that they truly see us as trusted advisors and value what we do for their family. This is the biggest compliment we can receive.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve received?

The best professional advice that I’ve received is to treat the customer how we would want to be treated, and to be honest when you don’t know an answer. There is a lot of information that we need to know. So if you’re not sure about something, a client will respect and trust you more if you’re honest about the need to do some research and get back to them. It is always best to do your due diligence, rather than fluff your way through an answer.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am extremely proud of the role I played as a member and chair of Erie Insurance’s Sales and Marketing Task Force. For four years, I sat on a task force with agents from all over Erie Insurance’s footprint to discuss the challenges and wins that we face every day. I led the Task Force for two years and was able to see valuable change in the systems that are used by agents every day. My time on the Task Force was invaluable to my career.

Unrelated to my professional accomplishments, I was awarded Erie Insurance’s Giving Agent Award twice for the volunteering and outreach that I do outside of the office for Johns Hopkins Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. I have done two 150-mile bike rides to raise money for cancer research at a local level and have volunteered for years for the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center Radiothon to raise money for the pediatric care at Hopkins. Those are things I love doing in my spare time, and to be recognized by Erie for that was really heartwarming. They also made sizeable donations to the two charities on my behalf, which is amazing.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I see myself still working in our agency, but with more clients and a decade of additional experience and stories to tell!

What tips would you share with someone just starting out in our industry?

For anyone entering this industry, I would give them the advice to stay on top of education and market trends. Insurance agents are a dime a dozen, but setting yourself apart with knowledge is the key to thriving. This industry is so unique because you have the power to make it what you want. If you are constantly learning about everything you can offer, you will have the tools to provide the best products and best advice to protect your clients.

If you weren’t working in insurance, what would be your dream job?

I’m lucky that I already had a little bit of a dream life before coming into insurance. I traveled the world for three years working in events and hospitality on cruise ships, so digging roots was that much sweeter for me. I suppose if I weren’t in insurance, I would love to be an interior decorator or a realtor. I love looking at homes!