This study is motivated by the importance of accurately predicting insolvency before it happens. The paper aims to develop an insolvency prediction model for Colombian firms with one, two and three years of anticipation through financial ratios, keeping sample structures and taking into account insolvency-related regulation. This research contributes to the literature because unlike many studies, it takes legislation into account, explains the different types of financial ratios, and uses boosting algorithms without biasing the sample. Data from 11,812 Colombian companies covering the period 2012-2016 was used. The results show accuracy above 70% for insolvency predic­tion with one, two and three years of anticipation.