Understanding Surety Bonds
Surety bonds are a very common type of bond, within the construction industry and within many other types of industries as well.
These bonds have three parties involved. The first party is the principal. Then, you have the surety and the obligee. All work together to protect consumers and employers, who are the obligees in this arrangement.
Even though the definition of a surety bond is really quite simple, people often find themselves confused about what they do and how they work. Thankfully, though, with a little digging and research, surety bonds are fairly easy to understand, especially if you have the right bond company to help you through the process.
Cost
One of the first things people commonly want to know when it comes to surety bonds is how much they will cost.
Unfortunately, that's not easy to say, at least not exactly. Costs will vary from one bond to the next. In general, though, you can expect to pay up to 15% of the full bond amount. However, if you are careful to shop around and compare options from one bonding agency to another, you can often get an even better deal.
Remember, too, that the money you spend is an investment in your own protection, so it's definitely worthwhile.
Time
Many people who require surety bonds want to get them as quickly as they possibly can. And, thankfully, the turnaround time for these bonds does tend to be quite quick. However, it can vary from one agency to the next, so inquire about exact timing if you're in a big hurry.
In general, most applications are approved within a day or two and, providing all requirements are met, you should get your bond within about the same amount of time. Remember, the more prepared you are for the bond and its requirements, the faster the process is likely to be.
Licensing
A final but very important thing to understand is that you must always get your bond through a licensed surety company.
Licensing is done on a state by state level and ensures legal and fair action by all surety companies. You don't want to work with an unlicensed agency, so be very careful and ensure your surety provider has a valid and current state license.
Surety bonds can be extremely helpful for many businesses. Just make sure you fully understand what your bond entails and that you get it from the right place. Contact companies like NFP, P & C, Inc. for more information.