Beyond Insurance: Associates Insurance Group Is Redefining Workers’ Compensation and Commercial Risk Solutions

Associates Insurance Group was founded in 2003 by longtime friends and business partners, led by Founder & President Mark M. Sheedy, with a clear mission to redefine the way commercial insurance serves businesses. Recognizing that many agencies treated insurance as a commodity rather than an ongoing partnership, Mark sought to bridge a critical gap in the industry. Instead of simply placing policies and stepping away, Associates Insurance Group built its reputation on educating clients, fostering transparency, and delivering continuous support throughout the insurance lifecycle. Serving owners of mid to large businesses, the company empowers organizations to make informed decisions while reducing costs and strengthening long-term risk management strategies. With offices in Greenwood Village, Colorado; Kansas City, Kansas; Kona, Hawaii; and Pineville, Louisiana, Associates Insurance Group has expanded its reach nationwide while remaining committed to personalized service, meaningful relationships, and measurable value for every client.

Today, Associates Insurance Group stands as a premier provider of Workers’ Compensation and Commercial Insurance solutions, offering far more services than traditional brokerages while still providing savings. The company specializes in customized policy design, strategic risk management, E-MOD protection strategies, comprehensive workplace safety programs, and cost containment initiatives that help businesses improve operational resilience. Its distinctive approach is further strengthened by an In-House Medical Division, led by a registered nurse, which provides hands-on claims advocacy to help clients navigate complex claims efficiently and achieve better outcomes. Complementing these services is dedicated HR support that assists businesses in creating safer, more productive work environments while maintaining compliance and minimizing risk. By combining industry expertise with proactive guidance and client advocacy, Associates Insurance Group continues to transform commercial insurance into a strategic business asset rather than a simple expense, enabling organizations across diverse industries to protect their people, safeguard their operations, and achieve sustainable growth with confidence.

In conversation with Mark M. Sheedy, Founder and President of Associates Insurance Group

Since 2003, you have grown from one policy to a top-ranked agency, including being named Pinnacol Assurance’s top broker. What has been the single biggest driver of this consistent growth? 

We have actually been Pinnacol’s top broker since 2011. The single biggest driver of our growth has been our commitment to building long-term relationships through a combination of strategic sales, exceptional service, and continuous education. We have never viewed growth as simply acquiring new clients. Instead, we’ve focused on earning trust, demonstrating value, and helping businesses make better decisions year after year.

That approach extends to our carrier partnerships as well. We’ve invested heavily in developing strong relationships with the insurance companies we represent, allowing us to create better solutions and advocate more effectively for our clients. When you consistently deliver results, maintain strong partnerships, and put service at the center of everything you do, growth becomes a natural outcome.

You are ranked #7 on the Denver Business Journal’s top insurance agencies list. How does this recognition reflect your company’s growth and market impact?

Being ranked #7 by the Denver Business Journal is a testament to our steadfast commitment to client success and delivering measurable financial results. It reflects our growing market impact as we continue to scale our operations, validate our highly specialized approach, and strengthen our reputation as a leading force in Nation’s commercial insurance market.

More importantly, this recognition belongs to our clients and team members. It’s a reflection of the trust our clients place in us every day and the dedication of our employees who work tirelessly to provide exceptional service, guidance, and advocacy.

You offer custom policy design, claims advocacy, and strategic risk management. How does this comprehensive, specialized approach differentiate you from competitors and fuel client retention and growth?

Too many agencies take a ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ approach to commercial coverage, particularly Workers’ Compensation. They step back once the policy is bound. We take the exact opposite approach.

When a team member gets injured, it impacts far more than day-to-day operations—it directly affects an employer’s bottom line and future insurance costs for years. By taking a holistic view—from custom policy design up front to active claims management when an incident occurs—our clients know we are actively protecting the long-term financial health of their business. That high-touch, proactive care turns standard insurance vendor relationships into long-term strategic partnerships.

You have an In-House Medical Division led by a registered nurse. How does this unique claims advocacy model save client’s money and build long-term loyalty?

Navigating both the medical system and the insurance side of a claim is overwhelmingly complex for both the employer and the injured worker. Having an In-House Medical Division led by a Registered Nurse changes the game.

Our team ensures injured workers don’t get lost in the system or stuck in administrative delays. By implementing proactive care management, we ensure employees receive the quality medical care they deserve to recover safely, while simultaneously driving down unnecessary medical costs and claims duration. It builds trust with our clients because they see we genuinely care about their people, while also delivering tangible financial savings.

You specialize in Workers’ Compensation with E-MOD protection strategies and safety programs. How does this deep specialization in a complex area drive new client acquisition and growth?

Most business owners treat high workers’ comp costs—and rising E-MOD —as an unavoidable cost of doing business. They assume they just have to write a big check every year.

When we talk to prospective clients, we don’t lead with standard insurance quotes. We look at why their claims are happening in the first place and build practical safety programs to fix the root causes. By actively working to help lower their E-MOD and protect their people, we put real capital back into their business. When business owners realize someone is finally fighting for their bottom line instead of just renewing a policy, word spreads fast. That’s what drives our growth: delivering results that generic brokers simply aren’t equipped to handle

You serve numerous industries including transportation, contractors, healthcare, school districts, and municipalities. How does this diverse industry expertise allow you to cross-pollinate best practices and drive growth across different sectors?

Working across more than a dozen industries provides us with a unique perspective on risk management and operational excellence. We are constantly learning from the challenges and successes of businesses operating in very different environments.

This experience allows us to adapt proven safety initiatives, claims strategies, and risk mitigation techniques from one industry to another. For example, practices developed in high-risk sectors such as construction or transportation can often provide significant value when tailored for healthcare organizations, municipalities, or manufacturing operations.

The result is a broader, more innovative approach that helps our clients stay ahead of emerging risks while benefiting from ideas and strategies they may not otherwise encounter within their own industry.

What does the future hold for your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

Absolutely. We believe the future of our company is directly tied to the evolving needs of our clients, and we’re investing heavily in solutions that help them address both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

We’re continually identifying client pain points and developing services that provide meaningful solutions, particularly around rising insurance costs, workforce challenges, risk management, and long-term financial stability. We’re expanding our capabilities through captive insurance programs, enhanced consulting services, and customized solutions designed to give clients greater control over their insurance spend and overall risk profile.

The exciting part is that we’re not creating programs for the sake of innovation. We’re building solutions because our clients need them. As those needs evolve, so will we.

Meet the leader behind the success of Associates Insurance Group

Mark M. Sheedy, Founder and President of Associates Insurance Group, has built the company around a simple principle: never stop evolving. Since founding the agency in 2003, Mark has challenged the traditional insurance model by creating a culture centered on education, accountability, and client advocacy. He believes that exceptional service requires constantly evolving and asking ourselves “How can we better serve our clients?”

Under his leadership, Associates Insurance Group has grown from a single policy to one of the Nation’s leading commercial insurance agencies. Yet Mark is often the first to say that the company is just getting started. His focus remains on continually improving, adapting to the changing needs of clients and carrier partners, and empowering the team to deliver increasingly innovative solutions for the businesses they serve.

“Working across more than a dozen industries provides us with a unique perspective on risk management and operational excellence. We are constantly learning from the challenges and successes of businesses operating in very different environments.”