The pieces, and what each one is actually for
General liability covers harm your business causes to other people or their property. Commercial property covers your building, equipment and inventory. The two are often bundled, and the bundle is often where the gaps hide.
Commercial auto is the one that catches people. A personal auto policy can exclude a vehicle used for business. If your work happens out of a truck, that distinction matters enormously.
Workers compensation is generally required in Colorado once you have employees, and the rules around who counts as an employee are less obvious than they look.
The parts nobody asks about until they need them
Business interruption, which covers the income you lose while you cannot operate. Cyber liability, which matters to any business holding customer data, including very small ones. Employment practices liability. Professional liability, if you give advice for a living.
How the conversation goes
You describe what you actually do, day to day, including the parts that feel too small to mention. The vehicle that is technically personal. The contractor who is technically not an employee. The equipment you take off-site. Those details are usually where the exposure lives.
Also written here
- General liability
- Commercial property
- Commercial auto and fleet
- Workers compensation
- Business owner policies