Surety & Bond Insurance

Win contracts.
Stay compliant.
Get bonded fast.

Surety bonds are required for contractors, licensed professionals, and government projects across California and most states. We get you bonded quickly and affordably — often same-day.

✓ Same-Day Approval Available ✓ Contractor License Bonds ✓ Performance & Payment Bonds ✓ Low Rates for Good Credit
Bond Carriers We Work With
Travelers Zurich Markel Hartford Merchants Bonding + 10 more
✦ Fast Approval · No Obligation

Get Your Bond Quote

Often same-day · No collateral for most bonds

What type of bond do you need?
Tell us about your bond need
Where should we send your quote?
🔒Secure & never sold. A licensed CoverGuard bond agent will contact you.
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Request received, there!

A licensed CoverGuard bond specialist will contact you within 1 business hour. Many bonds are approved same-day.

📞 Call for Faster Service
Bond Basics
What exactly is a
surety bond?
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A Bond Is a Guarantee — Not Insurance for You

A surety bond is a three-party agreement that guarantees you'll fulfill your obligations — to a client, government agency, or licensing body. If you fail to perform or comply, the bond pays the harmed party. Unlike insurance, bonds protect the public from you — and prove you're a trustworthy professional. Most contractor licenses, permits, and government contracts require one.

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1–3%
Typical annual premium for a bond — often a fraction of the bond amount
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Fast, Often Same-Day

Many license and contractor bonds can be quoted, approved, and issued the same day — no lengthy underwriting required for smaller bond amounts.

$15K
Typical cost of a $500K contractor bond per year — often far less than people expect
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Required by Law in Most Cases

California contractors must carry a $25,000 license bond to maintain their CSLB license. Many cities also require local permit bonds. We keep you compliant at all times.

How Bonds Work
Three parties.
One guarantee.

Every surety bond involves three parties. Understanding who's who helps you know exactly what you're getting.

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Principal
That's You — the Business or Contractor
You purchase the bond and are bound by its terms. You're guaranteeing to the obligee that you'll fulfill your obligations — completing a project, following regulations, or complying with a license requirement.
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Surety
That's the Bond Carrier (We Find You the Best)
The surety company backs the bond and pays claims if you fail to perform. Think of them as a co-signer vouching for your trustworthiness. CoverGuard compares 10+ surety carriers to get you the best rate.
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Obligee
The Party That Requires the Bond
Typically a government agency, project owner, or licensing board. They require the bond as protection — if you don't perform, they (or your client) can make a claim against the bond to be compensated.
Bond Types
Every type of bond
we offer.
Most Common
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Contractor License Bond
👷 Required for: Licensed Contractors
Required by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) for all licensed contractors. The current required amount is $25,000. Without it, you cannot legally operate or renew your contractor license in California.
  • Protects clients from contractor fraud or non-performance
  • Required to obtain or renew CSLB license
  • Fast approval — often same-day
  • Annual premiums starting around $150–$250/year
💡 California required amount: $25,000
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Performance Bond
🏛️ Required for: Government & Large Projects
Guarantees that a contractor will complete a project according to the contract terms. Required on most public works and many large private projects. Protects the project owner if the contractor defaults or abandons the job.
  • Typically required on projects over $150K
  • Usually paired with a payment bond
  • Bond amount typically equals contract value
  • Strengthens your bid on competitive projects
💡 Premium: typically 0.5–3% of contract value
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Payment Bond
🏛️ Required for: Public Works Projects
Guarantees that the contractor will pay subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers on a project. Protects subs and material suppliers from non-payment. Required on all federal projects over $150K under the Miller Act.
  • Protects subcontractors and material suppliers
  • Required on most public/government projects
  • Frequently bundled with performance bonds
  • Enhances credibility with prime contractors
💡 Often issued alongside performance bond
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Bid Bond
🏗️ Required for: Competitive Bidding
Submitted with a bid on a project to guarantee that if you win, you'll enter the contract and provide the required performance and payment bonds. Protects project owners from contractors who win bids then back out.
  • Required for most competitive bid projects
  • Shows financial stability to project owners
  • Typically 5–10% of bid amount
  • Often issued quickly once bonding capacity is established
💡 Often free when performance bond is placed
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License & Permit Bond
🏛️ Required for: Licensed Professionals
Required by state or local government as a condition of obtaining or maintaining a business license or permit. Common for auto dealers, mortgage brokers, notaries, freight brokers, and dozens of other industries.
  • Auto dealer bonds (DMV requirement)
  • Mortgage broker bonds
  • Notary public bonds
  • Freight broker / freight forwarder bonds
💡 Low cost — many under $200/year
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Court & Fiduciary Bonds
⚖️ Required for: Legal Proceedings
Required by courts in legal proceedings. Includes executor bonds, guardian bonds, administrator bonds, and appeal bonds. Guarantees that a fiduciary will properly manage assets or that an appellant will pay a judgment if they lose.
  • Executor & estate administrator bonds
  • Guardian & conservator bonds
  • Appeal & supersedeas bonds
  • Lost instrument bonds
💡 Required by probate & civil courts
The Process
Getting bonded is
simpler than you think.
1
Tell Us What You Need
Fill out our quick form — bond type, amount, and your industry. Takes under 2 minutes.
2
We Shop 10+ Carriers
Our bond specialists compare rates from top surety carriers and find you the best premium.
3
Instant or Fast Approval
Most license bonds are approved instantly. Larger performance bonds typically take 1–3 business days.
4
Bond Certificate Issued
We deliver your bond certificate — digital or physical — and file it with the required agency for you.
Who We Bond
Industries that commonly
require bonds.
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General Contractors
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Electricians
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Plumbers
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HVAC Contractors
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Auto Dealers
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Mortgage Brokers
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Freight Brokers
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Notaries Public
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Roofers
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Landscapers
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Janitorial / Cleaning
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All Industries
Why CoverGuard
Bond brokers who actually
know the surety market.
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We Compare, You Save

Different surety carriers offer wildly different rates for the same bond. We compare 10+ carriers and get you the lowest premium — often saving contractors hundreds per year on required bonds.

Same
Day
Approval available for most contractor license & permit bonds
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Dedicated Bond Specialist

Bonds are complex. You'll work directly with a licensed bond agent who understands your industry's requirements — not a generalist call center rep.

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We Handle the Filing Too

Getting bonded isn't just getting the certificate — it often needs to be filed with the correct agency (CSLB, DMV, court, etc.). We handle the filing process so you can focus on your business, not the paperwork.

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Annual Renewal Reminders

Most bonds must be renewed annually. We track your renewal dates and contact you in advance — so your license or contract never lapses due to an expired bond.

Client Reviews
Contractors and businesses
who trust CoverGuard.
★★★★★
"I needed my CSLB contractor bond renewed fast — my license was about to lapse and I had a new project starting Monday. CoverGuard had me bonded by noon the same day I called. They also saved me $80/year vs. my old carrier. I'll never go anywhere else for bonds."
RM
Ricardo M.
Licensed General Contractor · CSLB Bond Client
★★★★★
"Got bonded for a $1.2M public works project — performance and payment bonds. CoverGuard walked me through the whole process and filed everything with the city. Couldn't have done it without them."
KL
Kevin L.
Civil Contractor · Public Works
★★★★★
"Needed a notary bond renewed and a new mortgage broker bond for my expanding business. Two bonds handled in one call. Fast, professional, and great rates."
JS
Julie S.
Mortgage Broker · Notary
FAQ
Surety bonds,
explained plainly.
What's the difference between a bond and insurance? +
Insurance protects you — the policyholder — from losses. A surety bond protects a third party (a client, agency, or the public) from losses caused by you. If a bond claim is paid out, the surety company can seek repayment from you. Bonds are about your accountability, not your protection.
How much does a contractor bond cost in California? +
California requires a $25,000 CSLB contractor license bond. For applicants with good credit, the annual premium typically runs $150–$250/year — a very small cost relative to the requirement. Rates are higher for poor credit, but we still find the most competitive surety carrier for your profile.
Can I get bonded with bad credit? +
Yes — most license bonds can still be approved with poor credit, though premiums will be higher (typically 5–15% of the bond amount vs. 1–3% for good credit). Some specialty sureties specifically work with higher-risk applicants. We'll find the most affordable option for your credit profile.
How fast can I get bonded? +
License and permit bonds are often approved instantly or same-day. Performance and payment bonds for larger projects typically take 1–3 business days as they require more underwriting. If you have an urgent deadline, call us directly — we prioritize rush requests.
What happens if a claim is made against my bond? +
The surety company investigates the claim. If it's valid, they pay the harmed party up to the bond amount. Unlike insurance, you're then obligated to repay the surety for what they paid out. This is why bonds are a guarantee of your performance — not a safety net for you personally.
Do I need a bond AND general liability insurance? +
Yes — they serve different purposes. General liability covers accidental property damage and injuries you cause. A surety bond guarantees your contractual and regulatory compliance. Most contracts and licensing bodies require both. We can handle both in one place — bonds and all your business insurance.

Get bonded today and keep your business moving.

Same-day approvals available. Licensed bond specialists. Competitive rates from 10+ carriers.

Get My Bond Quote → 📞 (562) 758-1200
📋 Get My Bond Quote