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.
Best Small Business Insurance in Colorado
Colorado's top business insurers include NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business, offering coverage starting at just $6 monthly.
Get matched to the best Colorado commercial insurer for you below.

Updated: January 6, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
The Hartford ranks first among Colorado's best small business insurance providers with competitive rates and A++ financial stability.
Small business insurance in Colorado averages $100 per month or $1,195 per year across four core policy types.
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 | 4.65 | $83 | 2 | 3 |
| NEXT Insurance | 4.64 | $99 | 1 | 2 |
| Simply Business | 4.49 | $96 | 5 | 1 |
| Nationwide | 4.48 | $100 | 2 | 4 |
| Coverdash | 4.41 | $100 | 6 | 2 |
| biBERK | 4.39 | $103 | 2 | 5 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.33 | $98 | 7 | 5 |
| Thimble | 4.30 | $93 | 8 | 5 |
| Chubb | 4.27 | $116 | 3 | 4 |
| Hiscox | 4.27 | $107 | 4 | 6 |
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.
Discover the best or cheapest business insurer in Colorado for your desired coverage type in our resources below:

Best Colorado Business Insurance for Affordability
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$81This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance
$68This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers' comp policies.Our Survey: Claims Process
4.5/5 (1st)Our Survey: Agent Service
4.5/5 (1st)
- pros
Ranks first for affordability
Maintains top financial stability rating
Provides reliable expertise and service
consOffers fewer digital tools
Ranks in third coverage options
The Hartford ranks first in MoneyGeek's Colorado study with average monthly costs of $83 across core policy types. Its A++ financial stability rating and 200+ years of experience mean your claims get paid reliably when emergencies happen. It's best for Colorado businesses who need comprehensive coverage at the state's lowest rates.
The Hartford ranks first for affordability in Colorado, charging $81 monthly for general liability and $68 monthly for workers' compensation—rates that can cut your annual insurance costs by 15% to 25% compared to competitors. Its business owner's policies bundle property and liability protection, eliminating the hassle of managing separate policies while saving you money.
The Hartford ranks first nationally for claims processing and customer service, meaning faster answers when you file and expert guidance through complex claims. Its second-place overall customer experience ranking reflects consistently reliable support across all interactions. Some Colorado business owners report longer wait times during peak hail season, though most Trustpilot reviews praise its responsive claims handling.
Overall Customer Score 4.38 2 Claims Process 4.50 1 Customer Service 4.70 1 Digital Experience 3.80 10 Overall Satisfaction 4.50 1 Policy Management 4.20 4 Recommend to Others 4.50 2 Renewal Likelihood 4.40 2 The Hartford offers specialized coverage like data breach protection and employment practices liability that shields you from costly cyber attacks and employee lawsuits. You can find policies tailored to your industry across 65+ business types, from construction to professional services. Some specialty coverages have limited availability in mountain regions, so confirm options when requesting quotes.

Best Colorado Customer Experience
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$102This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance
$68This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers' comp policies.Our Survey: Claims Process
3.9/5Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others
4.8/5
- pros
Ranks first for customer service with a highly responsive support team
Offers comprehensive coverage options
Provides digital-first platform for quick policy changes and claims processing
consLower financial stability ranking
Limited physical offices
NEXT ranks second in MoneyGeek's Colorado study with average monthly costs of $99 across core policy types. Founded in 2016, its digital-first platform lets you adjust coverage limits and file claims at 2 a.m. when pipe bursts or equipment breaks—no waiting until business hours. It's best for Colorado businesses who need instant coverage changes when projects shift or new contracts require higher limits.
NEXT ranks third for affordability in Colorado, charging $102 monthly for general liability and $68 monthly for workers' compensation. You'll pay 15% to 20% more than the cheapest options, but instant online quotes let you compare and buy coverage in minutes instead of days. Service businesses like consultants and designers typically qualify for better rates than construction and manufacturing operations.
NEXT ranks first in Colorado for customer service and leads the nation in digital experience with a 4.8/5 score, letting you file claims and get responses within hours instead of days. Its app-based platform means no phone tag with agents when you need policy documents for client contracts. Some Colorado business owners see 20% to 40% premium jumps at renewal, so lock in multi-year rate commitments when available.
Overall Customer Score 4.45 1 Claims Process 3.90 4 Customer Service 4.20 4 Digital Experience 4.80 1 Overall Satisfaction 4.40 2 Policy Management 4.30 1 Recommend to Others 4.80 1 Renewal Likelihood 4.60 1 NEXT covers businesses nationwide, protecting you from customer lawsuits (general liability), professional mistakes (professional liability), employee injuries (workers' compensation) and vehicle accidents (commercial auto). Ranking second for coverage breadth in Colorado means you can bundle multiple policies through one login instead of juggling separate insurers. Construction companies and manufacturers needing specialized equipment coverage should confirm NEXT covers their specific machinery before switching from traditional carriers.

Best Coverage Options in Colorado
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$97This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance
$72This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers' comp policies.Our Research: Policy Management
3.7/5Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others
4.2/5
- pros
Offers the most comprehensive coverage options
Provides an extensive selection of rare coverage types for specialized business needs
Maintains consistently solid performance across all service categories
consMid-range customer service ranking
Average financial stability rating
As a digital insurance marketplace partnering with 20+ A-rated carriers, Simply Business ranks third in MoneyGeek's Colorado study with average monthly costs of $96 across core policy types. You can compare quotes from multiple insurers in one place instead of contacting each company separately. It's best for Colorado businesses who want to shop competing offers side-by-side before committing to coverage.
General liability coverage starts at $29 monthly and professional liability averages $55 monthly, earning Simply Business a 4.45 affordability score in Colorado. The broker model eliminates agent commissions, potentially saving you 10% to 15% compared to traditional agency markups. Final rates depend on which carrier underwrites your policy, so compare all available quotes to find your lowest price.
With a 4.6-star Trustpilot rating and third-place national ranking for digital experience, Simply Business delivers multiple quote options in minutes through its streamlined platform. However, eighth-place claims processing means longer wait times when you need claim resolutions compared to top-ranked competitors. You'll get excellent comparison shopping tools but should expect slower claims support than carriers with dedicated claims teams.
Overall Customer Score 4.14 7 Claims Process 3.70 8 Customer Service 4.00 6 Digital Experience 4.50 3 Overall Satisfaction 4.10 7 Policy Management 4.10 7 Recommend to Others 4.20 8 Renewal Likelihood 4.10 7 Colorado businesses gain access to the state's broadest coverage selection with Simply Business's first-place 4.9 ranking, connecting you with major carriers like Travelers and CNA that protect against customer injuries, property damage, professional errors and employee accidents. The marketplace approach lets you compare specialized coverage for your specific industry, from restaurant liquor liability to contractor pollution coverage, without calling multiple insurers. You'll find tailored policies across dozens of business types that independent agents might not offer.
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:
- General Liability Cost: $103 monthly or $1,232 annually
- Workers' Comp Cost: $73 per month or $873 per year
- Professional Liability (E&O) Cost: $77 per month or $923 annually
- Business Owners Policy (BOP) Cost: $146 monthly or $1,754 annually
| 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.
| Accountants | General Liability | $22 | $264 |
| Ad Agency | General Liability | $35 | $423 |
| Auto Repair | General Liability | $151 | $1,817 |
| Automotive | General Liability | $53 | $637 |
| Bakery | General Liability | $90 | $1,080 |
| Barber | General Liability | $44 | $530 |
| Beauty Salon | General Liability | $67 | $799 |
| Bounce House | General Liability | $70 | $840 |
| Candle | General Liability | $55 | $656 |
| Cannabis | General Liability | $67 | $801 |
| Catering | General Liability | $87 | $1,048 |
| Cleaning | General Liability | $132 | $1,584 |
| Coffee Shop | General Liability | $89 | $1,073 |
| Computer Programming | General Liability | $29 | $347 |
| Computer Repair | General Liability | $47 | $570 |
| Construction | General Liability | $175 | $2,097 |
| Consulting | General Liability | $22 | $262 |
| Contractor | General Liability | $254 | $3,047 |
| Courier | General Liability | $195 | $2,337 |
| DJ | General Liability | $25 | $303 |
| Daycare | General Liability | $33 | $393 |
| Dental | General Liability | $21 | $257 |
| Dog Grooming | General Liability | $63 | $759 |
| Drone | General Liability | $17 | $199 |
| Ecommerce | General Liability | $73 | $875 |
| Electrical | General Liability | $112 | $1,344 |
| Engineering | General Liability | $40 | $477 |
| Excavation | General Liability | $464 | $5,567 |
| Florist | General Liability | $43 | $512 |
| Food | General Liability | $107 | $1,287 |
| Food Truck | General Liability | $141 | $1,695 |
| Funeral Home | General Liability | $60 | $722 |
| Gardening | General Liability | $112 | $1,343 |
| HVAC | General Liability | $244 | $2,933 |
| Handyman | General Liability | $243 | $2,919 |
| Home-based | General Liability | $24 | $284 |
| Home-based | General Liability | $46 | $547 |
| Hospitality | General Liability | $65 | $780 |
| Janitorial | General Liability | $137 | $1,640 |
| Jewelry | General Liability | $40 | $482 |
| Junk Removal | General Liability | $162 | $1,942 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | General Liability | $120 | $1,437 |
| Lawyers | General Liability | $23 | $273 |
| Manufacturing | General Liability | $64 | $764 |
| Marine | General Liability | $28 | $335 |
| Massage | General Liability | $95 | $1,146 |
| Mortgage Broker | General Liability | $23 | $274 |
| Moving | General Liability | $124 | $1,483 |
| Nonprofit | General Liability | $36 | $429 |
| Painting | General Liability | $143 | $1,719 |
| Party Rental | General Liability | $79 | $950 |
| Personal Training | General Liability | $24 | $286 |
| Pest Control | General Liability | $32 | $385 |
| Pet | General Liability | $56 | $670 |
| Pharmacy | General Liability | $62 | $739 |
| Photography | General Liability | $24 | $289 |
| Physical Therapy | General Liability | $110 | $1,318 |
| Plumbing | General Liability | $360 | $4,322 |
| Pressure Washing | General Liability | $912 | $10,945 |
| Real Estate | General Liability | $53 | $636 |
| Restaurant | General Liability | $144 | $1,734 |
| Retail | General Liability | $65 | $782 |
| Roofing | General Liability | $387 | $4,639 |
| Security | General Liability | $139 | $1,663 |
| Snack Bars | General Liability | $117 | $1,404 |
| Software | General Liability | $26 | $315 |
| Spa/Wellness | General Liability | $106 | $1,276 |
| Speech Therapist | General Liability | $31 | $373 |
| Startup | General Liability | $29 | $342 |
| Tech/IT | General Liability | $26 | $316 |
| Transportation | General Liability | $37 | $450 |
| Travel | General Liability | $21 | $249 |
| Tree Service | General Liability | $129 | $1,552 |
| Trucking | General Liability | $102 | $1,227 |
| Tutoring | General Liability | $30 | $362 |
| Veterinary | General Liability | $45 | $536 |
| Wedding Planning | General Liability | $28 | $331 |
| Welding | General Liability | $164 | $1,972 |
| Wholesale | General Liability | $45 | $534 |
| Window Cleaning | General 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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?
Colorado requires workers' compensation insurance for all businesses with one or more employees, whether full-time, part-time, or family members. Commercial auto insurance is mandatory for business-owned vehicles with minimum liability limits of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage (25/50/15).
How much does business insurance cost in Colorado?
Business insurance costs in Colorado range from $73 for workers' comp coverage to $146 for BOP insurance. The Hartford costs $993 per year in our study across all coverage types. Actual costs depend on your industry, business size and claims history.
Which company has the cheapest business insurance in Colorado?
The Hartford offers the most affordable business insurance in Colorado at $83 monthly, with Thimble at $93 and Simply Business at $96 following close behind.
What business insurance does my small business need in Colorado?
Start with general liability and workers' compensation if you have employees. Colorado construction businesses need commercial auto and equipment coverage. Denver-Boulder tech companies should add cyber liability and professional liability to protect against data breaches and client disputes.
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, 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.
sources
- Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. "Unemployment Insurance Premiums." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Workers' Compensation. "Workers' Compensation Insurance Requirements." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. "State Disasters." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- Colorado General Assembly. "House Bill 24-1472: Raise Damage Limit Tort Actions." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- Colorado Revised Statutes. "Title 42, Article 7, Section 413 - Motor Vehicle Liability Policy." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- Colorado State Patrol. "Insurance Requirements (FMCSR Part 387)." Accessed January 12, 2026.

