We just added a Live Chat function to our website. You can get fast answers to questions without picking up the phone. Businesses can use the Live Chat feature to ask questions about any type of bond. Our operators are licensed surety agents with years of experience underwriting surety bonds.

Surety Bonds are required by law in every state for a variety of businesses. In essence, a surety bond ensures that a business or individual will complete a project as agreed.

Getting a bond can be a time consuming, complicated process. The Surety Group has been working hard to make it simpler.  We recently revised our bond application, making it easier to complete and started taking applications by phone. Last year, we began posting rates online for mortgage brokers in every state. We also put rates online for auto dealers in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Indiana and Colorado as well as water well drillers.

Another benefit that customers appreciate is speaking directly to an underwriter when they call. In some instances, we can complete and approve a bond application in one phone call. We also have bond programs for businesses and individuals with impaired credit (bad credit bonds.) Call us at 800-486-8211 to get started.

Many government agencies require construction professionals to purchase contractor bonds before they can legally begin work on construction projects. Because these bonds are often required before a contractor can secure a contractor license, they're also known as contractor license bonds. New contractors might not realize they have to pass a financial review before a surety provider will issue a contractor surety bond. Having a basic understanding of contract bonds makes the process easier and more pleasant for contractors. Contractor license bonds are a specific type of surety bond, which means that each contractor license bond that's executed is a three-party agreement to help guarantee a certain quality of work. When it comes to contractor license bonds, the three parties include:

• the principal, which is the contractor that buys the contractor license bond to guarantee that licensing regulations will be fulfilled appropriately

• the obligee that requires the contractor license bond, which is typically a government agency such as a state's licensing board

• the surety that executes the contractor license bond as a financial guarantee that the contractor will adhere to licensing regulations.

The primary purpose of contractor license bonds is to protect consumers from unqualified contractors. As such, contractor bonds provide a legal financial guarantee that construction professionals will follow all applicable licensing regulations related to a project. Each contractor bond that's issued is unique in that its protection is dependent upon the bond's exact contractual terms. Government agencies that require contractor bonds work to regulate the industry, cut down on fraud and, of course, keep unqualified contractors out of the construction industry.

To find out more about contractor bonds and to apply for a contractor license bond now, call 800-486-8211.