The Ernstam & Lewis difference

Ernstam and Lewis: California Benefits Brokers

What sets us apart? The way we treat you.

Our Story

Ernstam & Lewis is an employee benefits broker serving Californians since 1983. We have four decades of experience under our belts and have helped thousands of employers and individuals find the right benefits at competitive rates. We’ve gradually built a specialized team with recognized expertise in the California benefits market. Our experience = your benefit.

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Three ways we’re different

Although we’re not the only employee benefits broker serving California, we’re unique. Here’s why:

  • Focused on service, not commissions
    As a broker, we charge no fees for our services. That means we consult, not sell. We have no sales quotas. You’re a name, not a number. Our clients receive the same rates as if they contacted insurers directly. The Ernstam & Lewis advantage is that we do it for you. Consider us your personal benefits agents. Our service is personal, prompt and responsive. No robots. No call centers. No bureaucracy. It’s person to person. Small businesses receive the same TLC as large organizations. Finally, we don’t sell and run. After an employer purchases a plan, we spring into action with benefits education, service and solutions to HR and compliance challenges.

  • Focused on benefits
    We focus exclusively on employee benefits. With this approach, we’ve become experts in providing premium guidance and service. Many organizations, such as financial planners, property casualty agencies, and HR consultancies, offer benefit services as an “extra.” It’s part of an ineffective “all the above” strategy. Not us. We’re 100% focused on securing benefits for employers and individuals. We know you don’t just want benefits. You want the right benefits.

  • Focused on California
    We exclusively serve clients in our home state of California. We know its ins and outs. From Modoc County in the north to Imperial County in the South – and everywhere in between – Ernstam & Lewis is here to help Californians find the benefits they need.

The Ernstam & Lewis Team

David Ernstam
Co-owner, ACA Compliance Administrator
David is the founder of Ernstam & Lewis Insurance Services, an organization helping companies and individuals find employee benefits for nearly four decades. A licensed insurance agent, David began his career with Mutual of Omaha. He joined Arnoldy & Eubanks in 1984, eventually becoming a partner and owner. David is a Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) and is Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) certified.

Eric Lewis
Co-Owner, Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Eric has nearly a decade of experience with the firm. His roles include business development, marketing and managing employee benefit packages for clients.

Gina Mar
Account Manager
Gina has been a licensed agent and an employee of Ernstam & Lewis for three decades. She’s a Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) and Registered Employee Benefit Consultant (REBC). Gina’s roles include sales, customer service, benefit administration and benefit education.

Lisa Gibson-Torres
Account Manager and Claims Support Specialist
Lisa has been a licensed insurance agent for two decades and part of the Ernstam & Lewis team since 2009. She is a 30-year veteran of the insurance industry, beginning her career at Aetna. Her roles include marketing (Shopping carriers), customer service and client education.

Veronica Rosales-Ponce
Claims Support and Spanish Customer Service Specialist
Veronica has been a licensed insurance agent since 2018 and joined Ernstam & Lewis in 2018. Her roles include claims support, customer service, benefit education and Spanish language support and translation.