Are you looking to learn what a surety bond is? Well, you’re in the right place.
In premise, a surety bond is a legally binding document that is referenced between a bond issuer and an underwriter. The document itself sets various factors in stone, which are then legally enforced if the need arises.
In this article, we will cover what is a surety bond in-depth.
So keep reading to find out more.
What Is A Surety Bond?
By spending some time learning the principles of the surety bond, you will better comprehend its value. As mentioned earlier, it’s a legally binding document that is referenced between a bond issuer and an underwriter. The document sets a variety of factors in stone, preparing them for enforcement.
Some of them are, but not limited to:
- Interest rates
- Sales price
- Conditions
- Conditions for agreement voiding
- Redemption provisions
By gathering and creating a document with such information, it is possible to protect all entities involved in the agreement. For instance, in the construction industry, a surety bond helps ensure the job is performed appropriately, as well as ensuring payments.
The company issuing the surety is the mediator between the agreement parties, and it takes responsibility for ensuring a client that the contractor will fulfill their obligations documented in the agreement. A bank or bond firm will offer these bonds to the parties at affordable rates.
Corporate Surety Bonds
Corporate surety bonds provide security and assurance for various projects by assuring the obligee that the principal will do their work and compensate its subsequent subcontractors, material suppliers, laborers, and much more as outlined in the document.
Bid bonds provide financial surety bond insurance that the bid has been deployed in good faith and that the contractor ensures they will enter the contract at the proposed bid, as well as provide performance and payment bonds.
A performance bond protects the owner from loss in the case of the contractor failing to perform their duties as outlined in the document.
A payment bond ensures that the contractor will pay subsequent contractors, material suppliers, and laborers who are related to the project.
A maintenance bond guarantees against defective materials and workmanship for an outlined period of time.
A subdivision bond develops promises to states, counties, cities that the contractor will construct and finance improvements, such as drainage, sewers, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streets.
Commercial Surety Bonds
Commercial surety bonds make a promise upon the performance of the principle in terms of their obligation, and/or undertaking as described in the agreement.
Permit/license bonds are obligatory by local regulations in order to obtain the necessary documentation for business engagement (sales tax, liquor, health spas, motor vehicle dealers, contractors, employment agencies, etc)
Probate/judicial bonds secure the performance of compliance and duties with court orders (guardians, trustees, receivers, masters, executors, liquidators, etc). The court bonds include appeal, injunction, mechanic’s lien, replevin, admiralty, attachment, indemnity, etc.
A public official bond ensures the performance of a public official, such as judges, court clerks, notaries, tax collectors, treasurers.
A non-contract bond is obligatory by the federal government, such as immigrants, excise, alcoholic beverages, Medicaid providers, medicare, surety bond companies.
Additional bonds include, but are not limited to: lease, guarantee payments, employer contributions, fringe benefits, workers comp, lost securities, etc.
What Does A Surety Bond Cost?
When the principals buy a surety bond, they don’t pay the full amount of the penalty. (Unless it’s a court bond). Instead, they pay a percentage as a premium. This system allows principals to meet their obligations without preventing a tie-up of large capital amounts in the bond.
A principal with good financial competency can expect to pay 1%-3% of the total coverage quantity. However, those with lower scores will often have to pay a higher premium.
Once the principals receive their quote, the principal can choose any of these options:
- Look for another quote from a different broker
- Accept and purchase the bond
- Work with the surety to find a way to make the premium affordable
And that’s about it. Even though it’s not a definitive answer, it’s a general outline of what to expect. However, we can also take a look at lowering surety bond premiums.
How to Lower Surety Bond Premiums?
Even if your underwriting process ends up making surety have a high premium, there are several ways for you to get a bond quickly at a more affordable rate. Here are the approaches that you can implement to do so.
- Specialized work
Many sureties often specialize in offering their bonding to principals with p at more affordable premium rates. Look for sureties who do so.
- Co-signer/collateral
Principals can choose to lower their surety bond premiums by providing collateral or adding a co-signer to the agreement. A co-signer can be a business partner, spouse, relative, anyone who will become jointly financially responsible. The better their credit score, the better your premium
- Premium financing
A good surety bond provider will offer financing options that will allow you to spread your payments over a certain time frame. This is a great option for those who have a steady income but can’t cover the outright cost.
Surety Bonds for You
Now that you know what is a surety bond, you are well on your way to comprehending its value. As long as you understand what it is and why it is important, you can make great use of it without the fear of messing anything up.
If you’re interested in bond insurance, get in touch with us and we will happily accommodate your needs.