Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Trusted California Insurance Broker Since 1983
Ernstam & Lewis Insurance Services has been a trusted partner in employee benefits and insurance solutions since 1983. Our four-decade legacy reflects a commitment to personalized service, prioritizing client needs over commissions. We specialize in navigating California's complex insurance market while extending our expertise to multi-state operations. Our team of licensed professionals brings deep industry knowledge, including ACA compliance and specialized benefits for agricultural employers.We differentiate ourselves through transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and comprehensive support that extends beyond policy enrollment. Our affiliations with leading insurers ensure access to competitive rates, while our focus on education empowers clients to make informed decisions. This combination of experience, ethical practice, and client-centric approach has earned us lasting relationships with thousands of employers and individuals across diverse industries.
Services
Employee Benefits
Medicare Supplements
Personal Insurance
Agricultural Insurance
HR Compliance Services
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We charge no fees for our insurance brokerage services
- Our team includes ACA-certified compliance administrators
- Specialized expertise in California's agricultural industry insurance
- We provide post-enrollment benefits education and HR support
- Affiliated with 40+ leading insurance carriers nationwide
Services
Employee Benefits
We provide comprehensive employee benefit solutions for businesses of all sizes. Our services include health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance programs. We help employers navigate complex insurance markets to find cost-effective plans that meet their workforce's needs while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. Our approach combines personalized consultation with post-enrollment support.
Medicare Supplements
Our Medicare supplement specialists assist individuals in understanding and selecting appropriate Medigap coverage. We provide detailed explanations of plan options, help with application processes, and clarify how Medigap works with existing Medicare Part A and B coverage. Our services include comparative analysis of available plans and ongoing support for policyholders.
Agricultural Insurance
Through our partnership with Oakview Insurance Services, we offer specialized insurance solutions for California's agricultural sector. This includes coverage for farm properties, equipment, livestock, and liability protection tailored to the unique needs of growers and agribusinesses. Our expertise delivers potential cost savings of 10-20% compared to standard industry rates.
HR Compliance Services
We provide comprehensive support for employer compliance with healthcare regulations including ACA reporting, COBRA administration, HIPAA requirements, and ERISA documentation. Our services include plan design assistance, mandatory documentation preparation, and ongoing guidance to help businesses avoid regulatory penalties while maintaining employee benefit program integrity.
Personal Insurance
We assist self-employed individuals and those seeking personal insurance solutions with health, dental, and supplemental coverage options. Our services include plan comparison, application assistance, and ongoing support for individual policyholders. We focus on helping clients navigate the complexities of personal insurance markets to find affordable, comprehensive coverage.
People
David Ernstam
Co-owner, ACA Compliance Administrator
Founder with 40 years of insurance experience, ACA-certified compliance expert, and former Mutual of Omaha professional. Licensed agent and Registered Health Underwriter since 1984.
Eric Lewis
Co-Owner, Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Insurance professional with a decade of experience in business development and employee benefit package management. Leads strategic growth initiatives and client acquisition efforts.
Gina Mar
Account Manager
Licensed agent with 30 years of experience, specializing in benefit administration and employee education. Holds RHU and REBC professional certifications. Manages client relationships and benefit implementation processes.
Lisa Gibson-Torres
Account Manager and Claims Support Specialist
Licensed agent with 20 years of experience in insurance sales and customer service. Former Aetna professional with expertise in claims processing and client education since joining in 2009.
Veronica Rosales-Ponce
Claims Support and Spanish Customer Service Specialist
Licensed agent since 2018 with expertise in claims support and bilingual Spanish services. Provides translation assistance and benefit education to diverse client groups.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve California but also assist clients with multi-state operations across the United States.
Do you charge for your services?
No, we provide our insurance brokerage services at no charge to employers as we receive compensation from insurers.
What insurance carriers do you work with?
We partner with 40+ leading insurers including Aetna, Blue Cross, Cigna, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare.
Do you specialize in any particular industry?
We have particular expertise in California's agricultural sector, offering specialized insurance solutions and cost-saving opportunities.
What post-enrollment support do you provide?
We offer benefits education, compliance assistance, annual plan reviews, and ongoing HR support services to our clients.
Reviews (6)
Janet Clark
Feb 16, 2020
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I have worked with staff at Ernstam over the past 2 years and they're always professional, courteous and available to assist with any concerns or questions. Would recommend!
Kristina H.
May 23, 2019
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Excellent customer service. Eric approaches all concerns about the complexities of health insurance with knowledge and confidence. We are so thankful to have businesses like this in our community.
Flo D.
Jan 18, 2018
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For me, dealing with insurance is extremely painful. We walked into David Ernstam's office in complete distress. We walked out able to breathe again! It is SO wonderful to have someone knowledgeable walk you through what's available, what might work best for you, how, and why. We are so blessed to have had a friend recommend David Ernstam Services' help! We are looking forward to working with Eric so we can focus on our good health and not stressful insurance cray-cray! We highly recommend their services!
Ginny P.
Nov 03, 2015
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David has provided excellent service to our company for many years and we are pleased with his personal services. He is committed and makes himself available for the employees. I strongly recommend David and his staff.
Erika W.
May 17, 2014
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David Ernstam provided so much knowledge and detail with our company at a time when Obama Care left us with so many questions. Our employees are happy with their new plans, as am I. We are at peace knowing that we got the best deal to provide medical coverage for our family. I strongly recommend using David and his staff for all of your employee benefit needs. Thanks!
Bob H.
May 07, 2014
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I have known David Ernstam for more than 30 years and used his agency when I had a local business for more than 20 of those years. Now his office is working with my sister regarding Medicare supplimental policies and with my son who is turning 26 soon to get his own policy. I cannot express how pleased I have been for all of these years. Any glitch with the insurance companies that I have had are dealt with swiftly and correctly. I can't be any more satisfied!
