Surety Bonds

Bonds that help you move business forward.

Fast, reliable surety-bond solutions for contractors, freight brokers, business owners, public officials, fiduciaries, notaries and regulated professionals.

Same-day options available Nationwide service Multiple surety companies
Surety bonds for businesses and contractors
Fast bond service Many bonds issued quickly
3 Three-party agreement Principal, obligee and surety

Quick & Easy

Many common commercial and license bonds can be quoted and issued with a simplified application.

Multiple Surety Markets

We compare available bond companies to help identify suitable terms and competitive pricing.

Affordable Options

Bond premiums are generally a percentage of the required bond amount and depend on underwriting.

Understanding surety bonds

A financial guarantee that helps build confidence and trust.

A surety bond is a legally binding agreement that guarantees an individual or business will fulfill a specified obligation.

Unlike traditional insurance, which is primarily designed to protect the policyholder, a surety bond is generally intended to protect the party requiring the bond or the public from financial loss.

Meet licensing requirements Qualify for contracts Demonstrate financial responsibility Protect clients and project owners Comply with court requirements Build business credibility
Find the Bond I Need
Three-party agreement

Who is involved in a surety bond?

01

Principal

The individual or business purchasing the bond and promising to fulfill an obligation.

02

Obligee

The government agency, court, project owner or organization requiring the bond.

03

Surety

The company issuing the bond and financially guaranteeing the principal’s obligation.

Surety bond solutions

Bond options tailored to your requirement.

The correct bond depends on who requires it, the obligation being guaranteed and the bond amount.

01

Freight Broker Bonds

The BMC-84 bond is commonly required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for licensed freight brokers and freight forwarders.

  • $75,000 required bond amount
  • Freight broker authority support
  • Annual renewal options
Request a BMC-84 quote
02

Construction Bonds

Bonds that help project owners confirm a contractor will honor bids, complete contracted work and pay eligible subcontractors and suppliers.

  • Bid bonds
  • Performance bonds
  • Payment bonds
Request a construction bond
03

License & Permit Bonds

Bonds required by state, county or municipal agencies as a condition of obtaining or maintaining a professional license or permit.

  • Contractor license bonds
  • Dealer bonds
  • Business permit bonds
Find my required bond
04

Court & Fiduciary Bonds

Bonds for individuals appointed to manage money, property or legal responsibilities on behalf of another person or an estate.

  • Executor and administrator bonds
  • Guardian bonds
  • Trustee bonds
Request a fiduciary bond
05

Janitorial Service Bonds

Helps provide customers with protection when an employee of a bonded cleaning business commits a covered dishonest act.

  • Residential cleaning businesses
  • Commercial janitorial companies
  • Employee-theft protection
Request a janitorial bond
06

Public Official Bonds

Bonds required for certain elected or appointed officials who are entrusted with public funds or official duties.

  • Treasurers and tax collectors
  • Judges and court clerks
  • Government officials
Request a public official bond
07

Employee Dishonesty Bonds

Helps protect a business against certain financial losses caused by employee theft, fraud or dishonest conduct.

  • Employee theft
  • Covered fraudulent acts
  • Business property protection
Review dishonesty coverage
08

Notary Bonds

Bonds required in many states before a notary public can receive or maintain a commission.

  • State-required bond amounts
  • New and renewing notaries
  • Errors-and-omissions options
Request a notary bond
09

ERISA Bonds

Helps protect employee-benefit plans from covered losses caused by fraud or dishonesty by individuals who handle plan funds.

  • Employee-benefit plans
  • Plan fiduciaries and administrators
  • Federal bonding requirements
Request an ERISA bond
FMCSA freight broker bonds

BMC-84 bond options for freight brokers and forwarders.

Freight brokers and certain freight forwarders generally must maintain a $75,000 surety bond or qualifying trust fund as part of their FMCSA authority requirements.

$75,000 bond amount New broker authority Existing bond renewals Multiple surety options Credit-challenged applicants considered Electronic FMCSA filing
Request a BMC-84 Quote
Freight broker bond $75,000

Required bond amount

Your annual premium is not the full $75,000. The premium is determined through underwriting and is usually a portion of the bond amount.

Business and ownership details Personal credit review Financial information when requested Prior bond and claim history
Construction surety

Bonding support from bid through project completion.

Construction bonds can help contractors qualify for public and private projects and assure project owners that contractual obligations will be fulfilled.

01

Bid Bonds

Provides assurance that the contractor submitting the bid will honor the bid and furnish required final bonds if the contract is awarded.

Commonly required during bidding
02

Performance Bonds

Guarantees that the contractor will perform the contracted work according to the agreement’s terms and conditions.

Protects the project owner
03

Payment Bonds

Guarantees eligible subcontractors, laborers and material suppliers will be paid in accordance with the bonded contract.

Protects project participants
Contractor bonding support

Need a bid bond or performance-and-payment bond?

Send us the bond form, contract amount, project description and bid or award documentation.

Start a Construction Bond Request
Why bonding matters

More than a requirement. A tool for growth.

The right surety bond can help your business satisfy legal requirements, qualify for new opportunities and strengthen trust with clients.

Demonstrate Trust

Show customers, government agencies and project owners that your obligations are backed by a surety company.

Meet Requirements

Satisfy licensing, permit, court, contract or regulatory requirements imposed by an obligee.

Win More Opportunities

Construction bonding can help qualified contractors bid on projects that would otherwise be unavailable.

Surety underwriting

What determines bond approval and cost?

Some small commercial bonds can be issued automatically. Larger or more complex obligations may require a detailed review of credit, experience, finances and the underlying contract.

Request an Underwriting Review
01

Bond Type

License, court, construction and financial-guarantee bonds involve different underwriting requirements.

02

Bond Amount

Larger bond amounts generally involve greater financial exposure and may require additional documentation.

03

Credit Profile

Personal or business credit may affect eligibility, collateral requirements and the final premium.

04

Financial Strength

Business financial statements, bank balances and working capital may be reviewed for larger bonds.

05

Experience

Construction sureties may review the contractor’s experience with projects of similar size and scope.

06

Bond History

Prior claims, outstanding obligations and previous surety relationships may be considered.

Challenging credit?

Credit issues may not automatically prevent approval.

Some surety companies offer programs for applicants with lower credit scores, prior financial issues or limited business history. These programs may involve a higher premium, additional documentation, collateral or another form of support.

Multiple surety-company options Individual underwriting review New-business applicants considered Alternative programs may be available
%

Premium

The amount paid to purchase the bond. It is not the same as the full required bond amount.

$

Collateral

Some higher-risk or larger bonds may require funds or other assets to secure the surety’s obligation.

How we work

Get your surety bond in three clear steps.

Start with the bond requirement, complete underwriting and receive the documentation needed by the obligee.

01

Send the Requirement

Provide the bond form, required amount, obligee information and basic personal or business details.

Start an application
02

Underwriting & Approval

The surety reviews the application, obligation, credit and any financial information required for approval.

03

Pay & Receive the Bond

Accept the terms, pay the premium and receive the official bond for electronic or physical filing.

Prepare for your application

What we may need to quote your bond.

Requirements vary by bond type. Sending the bond form or written requirement is often the best place to start.

Start My Bond Request
01

Bond Form

A copy of the bond form, court order, contract or licensing requirement provided by the obligee.

02

Bond Amount

The required penal sum or maximum financial obligation stated by the obligee.

03

Principal Details

Legal name, address, ownership, Social Security or tax identification details and contact information.

04

Obligee Information

The complete name and address of the agency, court, project owner or organization requiring the bond.

05

Financial Information

Larger bonds may require personal financial statements, business financials, bank information or tax returns.

06

Project Information

Construction bonds may require the contract, bid results, project scope, work-on-hand schedule and completion history.

Ready to get bonded?

Let’s find the right surety bond for your requirement.

Start online or call our team at (305) 428-2005.

Frequently asked questions

Surety-bond questions, answered.

Bond requirements vary by obligee, state, industry and obligation. Our team can help identify what is needed.

Not sure which bond you need? Send us the requirement or bond form. Call (305) 428-2005 →
What is a surety bond? +
A surety bond is a three-party agreement that guarantees the principal will fulfill an obligation to the obligee. The surety company financially backs that promise, subject to the bond’s terms.
Is a surety bond the same as insurance? +
No. Traditional insurance is primarily designed to protect the insured from covered losses. A surety bond generally protects the obligee or public from the principal’s failure to meet an obligation.
How quickly can I receive a bond? +
Many small commercial bonds may be approved and issued the same day. Larger construction, court or credit-sensitive bonds can require additional underwriting and documentation.
How much does a surety bond cost? +
Cost depends on the bond type, required bond amount, credit profile, financial condition, experience and claim history. The premium is normally only a portion of the full bond amount.
Will bad credit prevent me from getting bonded? +
Not necessarily. Some surety companies offer programs for credit-challenged applicants. Approval may involve higher pricing, collateral, a co-signer or additional financial information.
What happens when a claim is filed against a bond? +
The surety investigates whether the claim is valid under the bond. When a surety pays a valid claim, the principal may be responsible for reimbursing the surety under the indemnity agreement.
What is an indemnity agreement? +
An indemnity agreement is the principal’s promise to reimburse the surety for covered claim payments, legal costs or other expenses incurred under the bond.
Do surety bonds renew? +
Some bonds renew annually while others remain effective until canceled, released by the obligee or the underlying obligation is completed.
What is the difference between a bond amount and premium? +
The bond amount is the maximum financial obligation stated by the bond. The premium is the amount the principal pays to purchase or renew the bond.
What information is needed for a construction bond? +
Requirements can include the bond form, contract or bid documents, project amount, scope of work, contractor experience, business financial statements, personal financial information and a work-on-hand schedule.
Can a new business obtain a surety bond? +
Yes, depending on the bond type and underwriting requirements. The surety may review the owners’ credit, experience, financial resources and business plan.
What is a BMC-84 bond? +
A BMC-84 is a $75,000 surety bond used by freight brokers and certain freight forwarders to satisfy an FMCSA financial-security requirement.
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