Business Insurance in Colorado: Key Takeaways
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The Hartford ranks first among Colorado's best small business insurance providers with competitive rates and A++ financial stability.

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Small business insurance in Colorado averages $100 per month or $1,195 per year across four core policy types.

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Understanding types of small business insurance helps you evaluate risks, compare providers and maximize available discounts.

Best Small Business Insurance Companies in Colorado

The Hartford ranks as the top choice for Colorado business insurance, earning first place for affordability and stability while delivering strong customer service and comprehensive coverage. Its competitive rates and rock-solid financial foundation make it ideal for business owners seeking reliable protection. NEXT and Simply Business also offer solid coverage options for Colorado companies.

The Hartford4.65$8323
NEXT Insurance4.64$9912
Simply Business4.49$9651
Nationwide4.48$10024
Coverdash4.41$10062
biBERK4.39$10325
Progressive Commercial4.33$9875
Thimble4.30$9385
Chubb4.27$11634
Hiscox4.27$10746

Note: This data represents a small business with 2 employees, $150,000 in payroll and $300,000 in annual revenue. All scores were calculated for four of the most common coverage types in the industry across 79 industries in the United States.

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RESEARCH THE BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE IN COLORADO BY COVERAGE TYPE

Discover the best or cheapest business insurer in Colorado for your desired coverage type in our resources below:

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The Hartford

Best Colorado Business Insurance for Affordability

MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Points
855-961-1962
  • Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance

    $81
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    $68
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    4.5/5 (1st)
  • Our Survey: Agent Service

    4.5/5 (1st)
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NEXT

Best Colorado Customer Experience

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Points
  • Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance

    $102
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    $68
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    3.9/5
  • Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others

    4.8/5
Company Image
Simply Business

Best Coverage Options in Colorado

MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.2/5Customer Experience
4.9/5Coverage Points
  • Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance

    $97
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    $72
  • Our Research: Policy Management

    3.7/5
  • Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others

    4.2/5

How Much Does Business Insurance Cost in Colorado?

Business insurance costs in Colorado range from $73 monthly for workers' compensation to $146 for a business owner's policy. Industry and risk factors drive these price differences. Below you can compare average rates for the four most common business insurance types in the Centennial State:

We found average business insurance costs for Colorado companies for commonly needed coverage are as follows:

BOP$146$1,754
General Liability$103$1,232
Professional Liability (E&O)$77$923
Workers Comp$73$873

Note: We analyzed rates for your two-employee business across 79 industries, focusing on general liability, professional liability, workers' compensation and business owner's policies. Our Colorado research covers the companies we surveyed and won't include every rate available to your specific business.

Colorado Business Insurance Cost by Industry and Coverage

Business insurance costs in Colorado depend on your industry and coverage choices, ranging from $72 to $15,800 annually. Compare Colorado commercial insurance costs for your specific coverage type and industry below.

Data filtered by:
General Liability
Select
AccountantsGeneral Liability$22$264
Ad AgencyGeneral Liability$35$423
Auto RepairGeneral Liability$151$1,817
AutomotiveGeneral Liability$53$637
BakeryGeneral Liability$90$1,080
BarberGeneral Liability$44$530
Beauty SalonGeneral Liability$67$799
Bounce HouseGeneral Liability$70$840
CandleGeneral Liability$55$656
CannabisGeneral Liability$67$801
CateringGeneral Liability$87$1,048
CleaningGeneral Liability$132$1,584
Coffee ShopGeneral Liability$89$1,073
Computer ProgrammingGeneral Liability$29$347
Computer RepairGeneral Liability$47$570
ConstructionGeneral Liability$175$2,097
ConsultingGeneral Liability$22$262
ContractorGeneral Liability$254$3,047
CourierGeneral Liability$195$2,337
DJGeneral Liability$25$303
DaycareGeneral Liability$33$393
DentalGeneral Liability$21$257
Dog GroomingGeneral Liability$63$759
DroneGeneral Liability$17$199
EcommerceGeneral Liability$73$875
ElectricalGeneral Liability$112$1,344
EngineeringGeneral Liability$40$477
ExcavationGeneral Liability$464$5,567
FloristGeneral Liability$43$512
FoodGeneral Liability$107$1,287
Food TruckGeneral Liability$141$1,695
Funeral HomeGeneral Liability$60$722
GardeningGeneral Liability$112$1,343
HVACGeneral Liability$244$2,933
HandymanGeneral Liability$243$2,919
Home-basedGeneral Liability$24$284
Home-basedGeneral Liability$46$547
HospitalityGeneral Liability$65$780
JanitorialGeneral Liability$137$1,640
JewelryGeneral Liability$40$482
Junk RemovalGeneral Liability$162$1,942
Lawn/LandscapingGeneral Liability$120$1,437
LawyersGeneral Liability$23$273
ManufacturingGeneral Liability$64$764
MarineGeneral Liability$28$335
MassageGeneral Liability$95$1,146
Mortgage BrokerGeneral Liability$23$274
MovingGeneral Liability$124$1,483
NonprofitGeneral Liability$36$429
PaintingGeneral Liability$143$1,719
Party RentalGeneral Liability$79$950
Personal TrainingGeneral Liability$24$286
Pest ControlGeneral Liability$32$385
PetGeneral Liability$56$670
PharmacyGeneral Liability$62$739
PhotographyGeneral Liability$24$289
Physical TherapyGeneral Liability$110$1,318
PlumbingGeneral Liability$360$4,322
Pressure WashingGeneral Liability$912$10,945
Real EstateGeneral Liability$53$636
RestaurantGeneral Liability$144$1,734
RetailGeneral Liability$65$782
RoofingGeneral Liability$387$4,639
SecurityGeneral Liability$139$1,663
Snack BarsGeneral Liability$117$1,404
SoftwareGeneral Liability$26$315
Spa/WellnessGeneral Liability$106$1,276
Speech TherapistGeneral Liability$31$373
StartupGeneral Liability$29$342
Tech/ITGeneral Liability$26$316
TransportationGeneral Liability$37$450
TravelGeneral Liability$21$249
Tree ServiceGeneral Liability$129$1,552
TruckingGeneral Liability$102$1,227
TutoringGeneral Liability$30$362
VeterinaryGeneral Liability$45$536
Wedding PlanningGeneral Liability$28$331
WeldingGeneral Liability$164$1,972
WholesaleGeneral Liability$45$534
Window CleaningGeneral Liability$159$1,904

Note: We analyzed rates for your two-employee business across 79 industries, focusing on general liability, professional liability, workers' compensation and business owner's policies. Our Colorado research covers the companies we surveyed and won't include every rate available to your specific business.

What Factors Affect Colorado Business Insurance Costs?

Several Colorado-specific factors influence your business insurance premiums, from mandatory coverage laws to regional weather patterns. 

  • Colorado Workers' Compensation Laws: Colorado requires workers' compensation insurance for all businesses with 1 or more employees, including part-time workers and family members. Without coverage, you'll pay fines up to $500 per day, risk business shutdown and must cover injured employee claims plus a 25% penalty. Construction businesses have additional contractor verification requirements that increase your compliance costs.
  • Weather and Natural Disaster Risks: Colorado ranks second nationally for hail damage claims and second for homes at high wildfire risk, with 318,783 properties valued at $146.2 billion for rebuilding. Property insurance premiums increased 52% between January 2019 and October 2022 due to these weather losses. You'll pay the highest rates in Denver, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties (Hail Alley) and wildfire-prone mountain communities like Evergreen and Aspen.
  • Tort Environment and Liability Climate: House Bill 24-1472, effective January 1, 2025, increased Colorado's noneconomic damages caps from $729,790 to $1.5 million and wrongful death caps to $2.125 million. Medical malpractice caps will reach $875,000 by 2030, with biennial inflation adjustments starting in 2028. These higher liability limits mean larger potential settlements, which insurers build into your general liability and professional liability premiums.
  • Regional Cost Variations: Your business location within Colorado directly affects insurance costs based on local claims history. Denver, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties experience elevated hail damage, while businesses near Fort Collins, Denver and Colorado Springs wildland-urban interfaces pay higher premiums due to wildfire exposure. Mountain operations in Aspen and Pagosa Springs typically see costs exceeding state averages by 40% to 60%.

Colorado Business Insurance Quotes

Comparing quotes from multiple Colorado insurers helps you find competitive rates for your coverage needs. Match policy limits and deductibles across quotes to compare accurately—your $1 million general liability policy should have identical terms when evaluating prices. Get matched with Colorado business insurance providers below.

Get Colorado Business Insurance Quotes from the Best Insurers

Select your industry and state to get a customized quote for your Colorado business.

Industry
State

Colorado Business Insurance Requirements

Colorado keeps business insurance requirements straightforward with three mandatory coverages. You'll need workers' compensation, commercial auto insurance (if you operate vehicles) and unemployment insurance to comply with state law.

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    Colorado workers' comp insurance requirements

    Colorado requires workers' compensation insurance for all businesses with one or more employees, whether they work part-time, full-time or are family members. Without coverage, you'll face fines up to $500 per day, potential business shutdown and must pay employee injury claims yourself plus a 25% penalty. Construction businesses must verify contractors carry their own coverage or provide it for them.

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    Colorado commercial auto insurance requirements

    Colorado law mandates insurance for all business-owned vehicles with minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage (25/50/15). Vehicles with USDOT or MC numbers require separate federal coverage, with semi-trucks and large interstate vehicles needing a minimum combined single limit of $750,000.

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    Colorado unemployment insurance requirements

    You must register for unemployment insurance when you pay wages of at least $1,500 in a calendar quarter or employ someone for 20 weeks during the current or previous year. You'll pay premiums on chargeable wages up to $17,000 per employee annually, with rates set by the Division of Unemployment Insurance based on your payment history and benefit claims from former employees.

What Business Insurance Coverage Is Recommended For Colorado Companies?

Colorado doesn't heavily regulate business insurance beyond workers' compensation and commercial auto coverage, so you can pick additional coverage that fits your specific needs. We've analyzed what works best for the major industries driving business in the state.

Manufacturing    

General liability, product liability, professional liability, cyber liability, commercial property, export controls coverage, government contract coverage, hail damage protection    

 

Aerospace manufacturers need coverage for product liability claims on defense contracts and export control violations. Hailstorms frequently damage manufacturing facilities and aircraft in Colorado, while high-altitude testing causes unique equipment failures requiring specialized policies.

Cannabis    

 

General liability, product liability, commercial property, crop insurance, theft protection, cyber liability, regulatory compliance coverage, wildfire protection, business interruption    

 

Product contamination claims, inventory theft and wildfire damage threaten your cultivation facilities. Cash-based dispensary operations increase robbery risks due to banking restrictions, while seed-to-sale tracking errors trigger compliance penalties from state regulators.

Tech/IT    

 

Professional liability (E&O), cyber liability, general liability, commercial property, intellectual property insurance, directors & officers (D&O), hail damage coverage    

 

Data breaches and cyber attacks expose Denver-Boulder tech companies to lawsuits and regulatory fines. Front Range hailstorms damage data centers and servers, while intellectual property disputes arise in competitive markets where altitude affects cooling system reliability.

Construction/Contractor    

 

General liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, equipment coverage, builder's risk, altitude-related coverage, hail damage protection, wildfire evacuation coverage, winter weather delays    

 

Weather damages your projects and equipment, while altitude sickness affects contractor productivity on mountain sites. Winter access limitations delay projects for months, and hailstorms destroy roofing materials and completed work requiring costly repairs.

Startup    

 

Professional liability (E&O), cyber liability, general liability, commercial property, intellectual property insurance, directors & officers (D&O), hail damage coverage, employment practices liability    

 

Intellectual property theft and investor disputes threaten startup companies in the Denver-Boulder tech corridor. Cyber attacks compromise sensitive startup data, while hailstorms damage offices and equipment during key development phases when cash reserves run low.

How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance in Colorado

Getting business insurance means balancing coverage needs against cash flow. Follow these steps to protect your Colorado business without overpaying:

  1. 1

    Determine risks specific to your Colorado business

    Walk through what threatens your operation: hailstorms destroying your restaurant's patio during peak season, your crew getting altitude sickness on a Vail project, or wildfire evacuation orders closing your mountain shop for weeks. Document your physical assets, revenue sources and what would shut you down tomorrow.

  2. 2

    Compare companies and Colorado insurance programs

    Your RiNo landlord requires $2M aggregate liability regardless of actual risk. Add workers' comp the day you hire your first employee since Colorado fines you $500 daily without coverage. Cannabis businesses need to call eight to 10 insurers before finding one who'll quote, with rates running three to five times normal.

  3. 3

    Choose providers based on service, not just price

    After Denver's last major hailstorm, some insurers took six months processing claims while others paid within three weeks. Ask about Colorado claims volume and turnaround during severe weather. Local agents know which carriers understand altitude equipment failures instead of denying your HVAC breakdown claims.

  4. 4

    Take advantage of discounts and Colorado incentives

    Bundle general liability with property in a BOP for cheap business insurance rates—critical given Colorado's 52% property premium increases since 2019. Raise your deductible from $500 to $2,500 and cut premiums 25% to 30%. Construction companies with documented safety training earn 5% to 15% workers' comp discounts.

  5. 5

    Review coverage annually

    Reassess coverage when your business changes, not just at renewal. Hiring your first employee triggers immediate workers' comp requirements—you can't wait until next month. Moving from Boulder to mountain communities doubles property premiums due to wildfire exposure. Expanding services or buying equipment over $10,000 creates new liability gaps. Update policies the same day these changes happen.

Best Business Liability Insurance Colorado: Bottom Line

The Hartford, NEXT and Simply Business offer Colorado's strongest rates and service for small businesses. Your best choice depends on your specific industry risks and coverage needs. Research each provider's Colorado claims reputation, maximize available discounts and choose coverage protecting your actual exposure.

Business Insurance Colorado: FAQ

Small business owners in the Centennial State often have questions about choosing the right business insurance coverage. We've compiled answers to the most common concerns below:

What business insurance is required by law in Colorado?

How much does business insurance cost in Colorado?

Which company has the cheapest business insurance in Colorado?

What business insurance does my small business need in Colorado?

How We Scored the Best Business Insurance Companies in Colorado

Small business owners in Colorado need reliable coverage that protects their operations without breaking their budgets. We designed our methodology to help Colorado entrepreneurs navigate challenges like hurricane risks and the state's optional workers' compensation laws.

We studied thousands of quotes from 79 industries across four coverage types for a two-employee firm with $300,000 annual revenue and $150,000 payroll. All policies included $1 million per occurrence and $2 million total per year, with BOPs adding $5,000 business property coverage.

  • Affordability (50% of score): We compared company rates across all coverage types to identify the most cost-effective options for small businesses that need comprehensive financial protection without overpaying.
  • Customer experience (30% of score): We analyzed J.D. Power satisfaction ratings, NAIC complaint data, online review sites and independent agency feedback to assess real-world service quality when you need claims handled quickly.
  • Coverage options (15% of score): We evaluated the breadth of coverage types, policy limits and add-on options available to accommodate growing businesses and Colorado's diverse industry needs.
  • Financial strength (5% of score): We reviewed AM Best ratings, Moody's assessments and company financial reports to ensure insurers can reliably pay claims, especially important given Colorado's frequent weather disasters.

This approach helps Colorado small business owners compare insurers on what matters most: affordable premiums, reliable service, adequate coverage and financial stability.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


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