Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company (formerly IWIF) Review 2025
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She covers topics ranging from car insurance to healthcare costs.
Reviewed by
Cara Carlone is a licensed P&C agent with 20 years of experience. She has her P&C license in RI and TX and holds CPCU, API, and AINS designations.
Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company Final Score
2 Stars
IWIF (Maryland's state-run Workmen's Compensation Insurance Fund) became Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company in 2013. It converted from a state agency to a nonprofit private corporation and adopted the new name while continuing to serve as a guaranteed market for workers' compensation insurance in the state.
IWIF remains a related entity that provides third-party administration services for workers' compensation benefits in the state of Maryland.
Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company (formerly IWIF) has specialized in providing workers' compensation insurance to Maryland businesses since 1914. As the largest writer of workers' compensation insurance in Maryland, Chesapeake Employers continues to offer an array of consumer-driven products and services that generate value for policyholders and ensure accurate and timely benefits for injured workers.
Chesapeake Employers is a nonprofit, non-stock, private insurance company governed by a nine-member, governor-appointed board of directors. The company is rated "A" (Excellent) by AM Best. The rating points to the insurance company’s ability to pay claims, debts, and other financial obligations in a timely manner. The company also receives an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
We award Chesapeake Employers Insurance a final rating of two out of five stars. Its high ratings from AM Best and the BBB speak to its financial strength, one of the most important factors in choosing any insurance company.
The insurance company has over 100 years of experience providing workers’ compensation insurance for employers in Maryland. The company is financially strong and offers competitive pricing, value-added benefits, and integrated health and claims services. It also offers professional safety services and free safety resources.
The company also receives quite a bit of negative feedback online. You can assess if Chesapeake Employers Insurance is the right workers’ compensation insurance company for you by visiting its website or talking to a local independent insurance agent.
Key Takeaways
- Chesapeake Employers Insurance was formerly known as IWIF, or the state-run Maryland Workmens' Compensation Insurance Fund. In 2013, the company transitioned to a nonprofit, private corporation that provides a guaranteed market for workers' compensation insurance in the state.
- The company is financially stable and highly-rated by AM Best and the BBB. It is the largest writer of workers' compensation insurance in Maryland.
- The company offers competitive pricing, flexible product offerings, professional safety services, and integrated claims and medical services.
- Despite a long history of expertise and stability, Chesapeake Employers Insurance is plagued with poor customer satisfaction.
Chesapeake Employers Insurance Pros and Cons
Explore some pros and cons of Chesapeake Employers Insurance.
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Chesapeake Employers Insurance Products
Chesapeake Employers Insurance provides workers’ compensation insurance to Maryland businesses.
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What Discounts Does Chesapeake Employers Insurance Offer?
Chesapeake Employers Insurance partners with numerous associations and affinity groups to provide workers' compensation insurance programs designed to improve workplace safety and save you money.
These programs may include:
- Premium discounts
- Group dividends
Discounts are available for businesses affiliated with the following organizations:
- Associated Builders and Contractors
- Maryland Restaurant Owners
- ADR Union Construction
- Maryland Automobile Dealers Association
- Tree Care Experts
- Maryland Nonprofits
- Maryland Home Improvement Contractors
- Maryland State Firefighters Association
- Towing Safety Program
Chesapeake Employers Insurance Customer Service
Here’s what you need to know about the company’s customer service offerings:
- Contact customer service by phone or using an online fillable form
- Online express pay without creating an account
- Online account provides access to additional services
- Customer service by phone has the following hour restrictions:
| Days | Hours (EST) | ||
| Monday-Friday | 8:00 am-5:00 pm |
Chesapeake Employers Insurance FAQs
Chesapeake Employers Insurance does not publish an average claims response time frame.
Chesapeake Employers Insurance offers customer service by phone, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST. Customers can also use an online fillable form to ask questions.
Customers can create an online account to report an injury, access claims data reports, and sign up for training. Online express bill pay is available without the need to create an account.
Chesapeake has a presence on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Customers can report an injury online or by phone. The injury reporting hotline is available 24 hours a day.
The company also provides several downloadable resources to help with the claims process. These include:
- First Report of Injury Form
- Accident Investigation Forms
- Temporary Prescription ID Form
If you need to report a catastrophic injury or a fatality, Chesapeake provides a Catastrophic Injury, or “CAT,” team to help you and your injured employee whenever these events occur. Employers are asked to call the hotline immediately in these situations.
Chesapeake Employers Insurance provides a user-friendly experience for its customers. The company’s website is clear, concise, and easy to navigate.
Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company offers several online services to help its customers manage their policies. Policyholders are encouraged to log in or create an online account in order to access all of the services that are available, including but not limited to:
- View premium information and pay your bill using a credit card or electronic funds transfer
- Request or print Certificates of Insurance
- View and print free safety material from the expansive safety resource library
- Access safety videos and view the company’s Employer Handbook and its Guide to Creating a Drug Testing Program
- Report an injury and file a First Report of Injury Form
The company provides good workers’ compensation insurance.
Chesapeake Employers Insurance has been providing workers’ compensation insurance to Maryland businesses since 1914. The company has a local presence and over 100 years of experience, making it the largest writer of workers’ compensation coverage in the state. Its policies stand out because of:
- Competitive pricing
- Various product offerings
- Professional safety services
- Integrated claims and medical services
While customer satisfaction reviews are mixed, at best, overall, Chesapeake can be considered a good insurance company.
Chesapeake has received high ratings from AM Best and is an expert in providing workers’ compensation insurance to employers in Maryland. The company is also accredited and rated "A+" by the Better Business Bureau.
https://www.ceiwc.com
https://www.ceiwc.com/PDFs/News-and-Media-Releases/AM-Best-Reaffirms-A-Excellent-Rating-for-Chesapeake-Employers_5.29.2024.pdf
https://www.bbb.org/us/md/towson/profile/workers-compensation-insurance/chesapeake-employers-insurance-company-0011-13011150
https://www.ceiwc.com/iwif