Expert benefits. Advice you can trust.
Employee Advocacy
We answer employee questions and advocate to the insurance companies on their behalf.
Compliance
We assist employers in meeting federal compliance requirements relating to employee benefit programs, ERISA (Employment Retirement Income Security Act), and ACA (Affordable Care Act).
Online Tools
We reduce your workload by providing an onboarding and employee enrollment platform, as well as tools and guidance for HR.
Plan Management
We provide creative strategies to maximize your return on investment
ABOUT US
Cummings, Fraser & Associates has over 35 years experience providing the best group health insurance & welfare benefits at the lowest possible cost and helping employees understand and appreciate the valuable benefits their employers provide them.
First, we’ll help you assess your benefit needs and goals. Then we’ll bid the market for you, keeping you up to date with industry changes and providing an array of customized benefit options that best fit your company’s size and needs.
We emphasize a partnership based on integrity, depth of experience, trust and the provision of exemplary service. Our goal is to build a long-term relationship with you and your company.
OUR TEAM
Jane Fraser
Partner & Owner
Contact
About
Contact
Phone: (206) 923-7312
Cell: (206) 313-9559
E-mail: jane@cummingsfraser.com
About
Jane has 32 years of experience in employee benefits. In 2002 she left USI Northwest to form her own company, Fraser Consulting Services LLC. In 2005 she formed a partnership with Gary Cummings and together they created Cummings, Fraser & Associates, LLC. In 2017 Gary retired and Jane welcomed new partners, Kevin Werlinger and Dave Libao.
Jane is a member of the Association of Washington Business, National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors, Washington Association of Health Underwriters and President of the North Sound Business Network.
Jane was born and raised in England and emigrated to the U.S. in 1980 with her husband and two sons. Today she enjoys time with her family and friends, taking Tabata and Yoga classes, hiking, listening to classical music and reading.
Jane is a member of the Association of Washington Business, National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors, Washington Association of Health Underwriters and President of the North Sound Business Network.
Jane was born and raised in England and emigrated to the U.S. in 1980 with her husband and two sons. Today she enjoys time with her family and friends, taking Tabata and Yoga classes, hiking, listening to classical music and reading.
Dave Libao
Partner & Owner
Contact
About
Contact
Phone: (206) 923-7300
Cell: (206) 683-0880
E-mail: dave@cummingsfraser.com
About
Born and raised in the Seattle area, Dave has over 35 years of experience working with employers and individuals in various lines of insurance and financial services products. He was a founding partner with a local insurance broker called Compass Consulting Group. His primary focus was consulting with small and medium-sized employers to assist them with implementing employee benefit programs which included cafeteria and pension plans. In 2011, he and his partners sold their agency interest to Brown and Brown, a large national insurance brokerage, and Dave worked there until May of 2015.
Preferring to operate as part of a smaller local agency, Dave chose to again create his own agency with a focus on small- and medium-sized employers. Now, Dave joins Cummings, Fraser, and Associates as Partner and Owner in the firm.
When not working, Dave enjoys spending time with his daughters and family. He enjoys many outdoor activities including: downhill skiing, water skiing, hiking, camping, kayaking and mountain biking. Dave also coaches his daughter’s high school golf team.
Preferring to operate as part of a smaller local agency, Dave chose to again create his own agency with a focus on small- and medium-sized employers. Now, Dave joins Cummings, Fraser, and Associates as Partner and Owner in the firm.
When not working, Dave enjoys spending time with his daughters and family. He enjoys many outdoor activities including: downhill skiing, water skiing, hiking, camping, kayaking and mountain biking. Dave also coaches his daughter’s high school golf team.
Kevin Werlinger
Partner & Owner
Contact
About
Contact
About
Kevin joins Cummings, Fraser & Associates from Lighthouse Benefits, a company he founded in 2014. He has more than 30 years of experience in employee benefits consulting. Kevin helped found and was a partner with Compass Consulting Group, which merged into Brown and Brown Insurance of Washington in 2011. Additionally, he has served as a benefits consultant for The Health Insurance Exchange and as a marketing representative for John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company and Mutual of New York. Kevin is currently a member of the Association of Washington Business, the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
Kevin grew up in Seattle, Washington and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Psychology and Philosophy from Central Washington University. His interests include family, friends, golf, skiing, and fishing.
Kevin grew up in Seattle, Washington and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Psychology and Philosophy from Central Washington University. His interests include family, friends, golf, skiing, and fishing.
Meredith Winograd
Account Executive
Contact
About
Contact
Phone: (206) 406-9820
E-mail: meredith@cummingsfraser.com
About
Meredith joined Cummings, Fraser & Associates in September 2019 as an Account Executive. She has 18 years’ experience in the employee benefits field, serving as both a consultant and also with the insurance carrier side.
Meredith enjoys playing tennis and golf, cooking and being with friends and family.
Meredith enjoys playing tennis and golf, cooking and being with friends and family.
Sheila Arestad
Account Manager
Contact
About
Contact
Phone: (206) 923-7306
E-mail: sheila@cummingsfraser.com
About
Sheila is a graduate of the University of Washington and has a Master’s degree from Columbia University. She entered the field of employee benefits in 1992 and joined Cummings, Fraser in 2010. She is both a licensed insurance producer and a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS).
Sheila was born in England and grew up in the Seattle area. Her interests include genealogical research, reading and world travel. She lives in Federal way with her two cats, Pippi and Vasya.
Sheila was born in England and grew up in the Seattle area. Her interests include genealogical research, reading and world travel. She lives in Federal way with her two cats, Pippi and Vasya.
Michael Banks
Account Manager
Contact
About
Contact
Phone: (206) 923-7313
E-mail: michael@cummingsfraser.com
About
Michael began working for Cummings, Fraser & Associates in 2015. He has a Bachelor’s degree in English from Seattle University and before getting into insurance enjoyed past careers in restaurant management and education. As an Account Manager, Michael is passionate about advocating on behalf of clients of all sizes and has helped CFA embrace the world of benefits administration technology.
Michael’s hobbies include hiking, camping, snowboarding, board games, and basketball.
Michael’s hobbies include hiking, camping, snowboarding, board games, and basketball.
Melanie Fisk
Account Manager
Contact
About
Contact
Phone: (206) 923-7301
E-mail: melanie@cummingsfraser.com
About
Melanie joined Cummings, Fraser & Associates as an Account Manager with 25 years of employee benefit experience. She has worked for local brokerage firms and general agencies as an Account Manager, continuing to learn and grow before joining Cummings, Fraser & Associates in 2019.
Melanie has grown up in the Seattle area and enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and relaxing.
Melanie has grown up in the Seattle area and enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and relaxing.
Nancy Goodman
Account Manager
Contact
About
Contact
Phone: (206) 923-7303
E-mail: nancy@cummingsfraser.com
About
Nancy joins Cummings, Fraser & Associates with almost 30 years of employee benefit experience.  She worked as a Billing and Eligibility Representative at a local insurance company, a Customer Service Representative at a highly respected local broker and as a Billing and COBRA Administrator at a third-party administrator.
She received her degree in Accounting from Nettleton Business College. Nancy enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, cooking and gardening.
She received her degree in Accounting from Nettleton Business College. Nancy enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, cooking and gardening.
Erika Henricksen
Analyst
Contact
About
Contact
Phone: (206) 923-7304
E-mail: erika@cummingsfraser.com
About
Erika began her insurance career in 2001. She has enjoyed many roles in brokerages including Account Management and Analysis. In 2005, she took her current position at Cummings Fraser & Associates. Erika has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Idaho State University.
Erika enjoys spending time with her family & friends. Her interests include camping, hiking, skiing & snowboarding, and volunteering at her son’s school.
Erika enjoys spending time with her family & friends. Her interests include camping, hiking, skiing & snowboarding, and volunteering at her son’s school.
Andrea Hickok
Compliance & Analytics
Contact
About
Contact
Phone: (206) 923-7308
E-mail: andrea@cummingsfraser.com
About
Andrea joined Cummings, Fraser & Associates as a Compliance & Analytical Administrator, with 20 years of experience in employee benefits. She worked in Customer Service, Eligibility, and Marketing for a local insurance company and as a Broker and Account Manager for a local brokerage firm before joining CFA in 2017.
Andrea’s interests include spending time with family and friends, traveling, snowboarding, hiking and sharing in volunteer work.
Andrea’s interests include spending time with family and friends, traveling, snowboarding, hiking and sharing in volunteer work.
Sarah Kuns
Administrative Assistant
Contact
About
Contact
Phone: (206) 923-7311
E-mail: sarah@cummingsfraser.com
About
Sarah joined Cummings, Fraser & Associates in 2018. She works on customizing online benefit portals, processing enrollments, and updating employee censuses.
Sarah moved to Seattle after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Humboldt State University. She enjoys biking, camping, hiking, rock climbing, and traveling.
Sarah moved to Seattle after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Humboldt State University. She enjoys biking, camping, hiking, rock climbing, and traveling.
what sets us apart?
Knowledgeable
Our staff pursues continuing education at every opportunity.
Experienced
We have over 35 years experience providing group health insurance benefit plans.
Creative
We identify innovative ways to manage benefit costs.
Here’s what some of our clients have said.
Owner - Hatton Marine Read More
Thanks for keeping us up to date on all the new healthcare laws. And thanks for showing us plans we can afford.
President - Cascade Columbia Read More
The health insurance renewal letter you prepare for our employees is very beneficial. Then your personal visits to each of our Washington and Oregon locations complete the process nicely. Thank you!
COO - Bardahl Manufacturing Corporation Read More
It is nice to have the same insurance broker for my Grandfather, my Mother and now for me since 1976. Wow, almost 40 years! And all of it a great job at a high level of quality.
Executive Director - Parent Trust for Washington Children Read More
It is my pleasure to recommend the services of Cummings, Fraser and Associates. They worked closely with us to design plans that meet our particular needs as a non-profit organization balanced with our need to receive good value at affordable rates. I happily recommend CFA without reservation.
Managing Partner - Luvera Law Firm Read More
We have been using Cummings, Fraser & Associates as our insurance brokerage firm for almost ten years. They have always been very thorough in researching the market for the right plans that fit within our budget. We would highly recommend Jane Fraser and her excellent staff to handle your insurance benefit program.
Administrator - Pacific Treatment Alternatives Read More
Trying to navigate the world of insurance frequently leaves me confused and anxious, but Michael patiently guides me through it all, allowing our agency to feel secure that we are providing for the insurance needs of our employees. It is not an exaggeration to say I’d be lost without his help and he never makes me feel silly for asking what are, probably to him, questions with obvious answers.
Countryside Montessori Read More
I just had a compliance review with our Payroll Processing Company. They wanted to reach out to ensure all the legal notices required around Benefits were going out to ensure our business is protected and he was surprised as he went down the list: CHIP, Medicare part D, Creditable Coverage Notices, Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act compliance, they told us we had everything we needed. He said out of the 400 people he has called, maybe only 10 of them had everything in order. He said "we must have a great Benefits broker", and I assured him we do indeed.
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frequently asked questions
We work with all the insurance carriers and Association Health Plans who are licensed in the state of Washington and who use the broker distribution channel. We are also licensed to work with carriers nationwide. We are carrier agnostic and choose the best carriers and plans to meet our clients’ needs and goals.
Carrier direct commission payments or a consulting fee.
Absolutely! Your benefits consultant works in tandem with your dedicated Account Manager.
We use different funding mechanisms, HRA’s, carrier tools, and technology