What is a Surety Bond?

Surety bonds are an essential risk management tool

In its simplest form, a surety bond is a written agreement, often required by law, to guarantee performance or payment of another company’s obligation under a separate contract or compliance with a law or regulation. It’s a unique type of insurance because it involves a three-party agreement between a principal (general contractor, business, or individual), the surety company (insurance company), and the obligee (government agency, private developer, or other parties).

Learn More

Surety Bonds

A surety bond is a three-party written agreement by which one party (the surety) guarantees another party (the obligee) that a third party (the principal) will perform according to the bond, statute, contract or other obligation. The surety bond protects the obligee by guaranteeing performance to the obligee if the principal does not fulfill their obligation.

Surety – The Insurance Company

Obligated to be liable for the performance of a contract, debt or failure of a duty of another party.

Obligee – Government Agency, Private Developer/Owner or Other Party

Protected by the bond. The one to whom the principal, and subsequently the surety, has become obligated.

Principal – General Contractor or Business

Bound by construction contract, other contract, statutes, or other obligations to perform or pay a debt.

Surety & Fidelity 101

Categories of Surety Bonds: Contract and Commercial

The two general categories of surety bonds are: contract and commercial. Bonds are purchased by a wide variety of businesses and individuals including construction companies, mortgage brokers, insurance adjusters and more. A business will demonstrate its commitment to financial responsibility and ethical business practices by purchasing a surety bond.

Construction/Contract Surety Bonds

Contract surety bonds are primarily used in the construction industry and may be required by the government or private developer of a construction project to ensure the contractor is qualified and able to complete a project in a timely manner. The contract surety bond also ensures the contractor will pay all subcontractors, suppliers and other workers to complete the project. The three types of contract surety bonds are – a bid bond, a performance bond and a payment bond. Federal and state construction projects generally require a contract surety bond.

Commercial Surety Bonds

Commercial surety bonds protect the public (consumers) against fraud, misrepresentation and financial risk and are typically required by federal courts, government bodies, financial institutions and private corporations as part of a company’s licensing processes. Examples include license and permit bonds, court bonds, fiduciary bonds, and more.

No other risk management product provides the comprehensive protection that surety bonds provide. Bonds serve as a critical risk management and public policy function, protecting small businesses, workers and taxpayers, creating economic growth, and enabling innovation.

Examples of Surety Bonds

Construction Bonds

Includes bid or proposal bonds, performance bonds, payment or labor and material bonds, maintenance bonds and supply bonds. These bonds are required by state or federal law for most public construction projects or by a private developer.

Court Bonds – Fiduciary

This type of bond is given by a Court Fiduciary to secure the faithful performance of fiduciaries’ duties and compliance with the orders of the court having jurisdiction. Typical bonds within this category include bonds for Administrators, Executors, Guardians, Trustees Under Will, Liquidators, Receivers and Masters.

Court Bonds – Judicial

This type of bond is required when litigants seek to avail themselves of privileges or remedies that are allowed by law only upon condition that a bond with surety be furnished for the protection of the opposing litigant or other interested party. Typical bonds within this category include bonds for Injunction, Appeal, Indemnity to Sheriff, Mechanic’s Lien, Attachment, Replevin and Admiralty.

License and Permit

This category consists of any bond required by state law, municipal ordinance, regulation, and in some instances, the federal government or its agencies, to obtain a license to engage in a particular business or a permit to exercise a particular privilege. In general, the terms “License” and “Permit” are used interchangeably. Typical bonds within this category include Contractors’ License Bonds, Motor Vehicle Dealer Bonds, Securities Dealers’ Blue Sky Bonds, Employment Agency Bonds, Health Spa Bonds, Grain Warehouse Bonds, Liquor Bonds, Cigarette Tax Bonds, and Sales Tax Bonds.

Public Official Bonds

This type of bond guarantees the faithful performance of duty by a public official in a position of trust. These bonds are required to secure compliance with federal or state statutes and, therefore, guarantee whatever liability the statute imposes. Typical bonds within this category include bonds for Gubernatorial Appointees, Treasurers, Tax Collectors, Sheriffs, Constables, Judges, Court Clerks, and Notaries.

Bonds Protecting the U.S. Government

Various agencies of the federal government require or accept surety bonds for a number of different obligations, such as Medicare and Medicaid Provider Bonds, Immigrant Bonds, Excise Bonds, Customs Bonds and Alcoholic Beverage Bonds.

Miscellaneous Bonds

This category includes other types of bonds that do not fall into the categories outlined above, such as Lost Securities Bonds, Lease Bonds, Bonds to Guarantee Payment of Utility Bills or Return of Borrowed Property, Bonds to Guarantee Employer Contributions for Union Fringe Benefits and Workers’ Compensation Bonds for Self-Insurers.

The Benefits of Surety Bonds – A Construction Industry Example

The construction industry can be a risky business; however, a contract surety bond provides the essential protections and services necessary to support our country’s immediate and future infrastructure needs. There are multiple benefits of using a contract surety bond:

Ensures Project Completion by Prequalification

Surety companies conduct an extensive underwriting process to prequalify a contractor for a construction contract surety bond. This thorough vetting helps government agencies and private owners/developers make the right decisions when hiring a contractor for a project.

Provides Contingency Planning in the Event of a Contractor Default

A contract surety bond gives the government agencies or private owners/developers a contingency plan should the contractor default on the project. This can include the surety company giving the contractor technical or financial support, hiring a replacement contractor, re-bidding of the contract, or paying the full amount of the bond to the oblige.

Protects Tax Dollars While Promoting Economic Growth

Bankruptcy filings have serious implications for government agencies and taxpayers, however if a contractor failure does happen, the surety company is responsible for the solution – not the government or taxpayer.

Ensures Payment to Workers

A contract construction surety bond guarantees that covered subcontractors, suppliers and laborers on the job will get paid.

Increases Innovation

Bonding allows states and localities to consider innovative project procurement methods, such as public-private partnerships (P3s), because the surety company provides critical security if something goes wrong.

Supports Contractors by Providing Critical Resources

A good contract surety bond insurance company r and producer can be two of a contractor’s greatest assets. The producer and insurance company possess or have access to a wide variety of resources to assist contractors.

How to Get a Surety Bond

The first step to get a bond is to contact a professional insurance agent or broker, also known as a surety bond producer. The National Association of Surety Bond Producers offers an online search platform to access surety bond producers across the country and internationally.

Resources & Programs

Learn more about
our industry through these
helpful resources.

Learn More

Member Services

If you’re a member of
SFAA, log in here for
exclusive materials.

Learn More

Advocacy & Policy

SFAA promotes the interests of
the surety and fidelity industry
and all of its stakeholders.

Learn More

News & Events

EY Report: Surety Bonding Provides Strong Economic Value and Strengthens Performance for Public and Private Construction Projects

November 17, 2022

A new study released today, The Economic Value of Surety Bonds, finds public and private construction projects protected by surety have lower rates of contractor default, lower cost of completion in the case of default, and are finished faster than non-bonded projects.

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America Foundation Awards 15 Students With $5,000 Scholarship

October 19, 2022

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America Foundation (SFAA Foundation) announced today the 15 students selected as recipients of a $5,000 scholarship as part of the Surety and Fidelity Intern and Scholarship Program for 2022.

SFAA Receives Prestigious 2022 ASAE Silver ‘Power of Associations’ Award for Federal Advocacy Campaign

October 14, 2022

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing all segments of the surety and fidelity industry, won the prestigious ASAE Silver Power of Associations Award for their TIFIA-Bonding Advocacy Campaign.

All News