What Are Surety Bonds?

Surety bonds are like a reference letter from a reliable source that lets your customers, suppliers, or partners know you have the capacity to complete a project or deliver goods as specified in a contract. The surety issuer takes on the liability of any default or failure on your part. If you fail to live up to the terms of the contract, the surety provides financial compensation to your partner.

Surety Bonds

Contract surety bonds provide financial security and construction assurance to project owners that the contractor is qualified to perform the work and will pay certain subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers.

Building on our global network, Allianz Trade' North America team of surety professionals possesses a high level of surety expertise to provide you with a reliable and knowledgeable surety partner.

Types of Contract Surety Bonds

Contract surety bonds guarantee a project owner that a contractor is qualified to perform the work detailed in a contract. They also guarantee that the job will be completed on time and that any subcontractors and suppliers used on the job will be paid.

The company that issues the contract surety bond is responsible for paying the project owner, up to the amount of the bond, if the contractor does not deliver on the guarantee. Bonds are required for federal construction projects worth $1 50,000 or more, but many private owners also require contract surety bonds for their projects.

Contract surety bonds are a transference of risk from the project owner to the surety company. The most common contract surety bond types are bid bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds, and warranty bonds.

A surety bond guarantees a contractor's obligations, as outlined in a contract for work, will be met. A surety bond involves three parties: a principal (the contractor that will perform work), an obligee (the project owner), and a surety. If the principal doesn't live up to its obligations to pay or perform for the obligee, the obligee is compensated by the surety. Surety bonds represent a type of partnership between a business and a surety. The business promises to perform according to a contract, and the surety guarantees that performance.