How do you get a MS surety bond?
Surety bonds in Mississippi are legally binding agreements that ensure obligations are met. There are three parties involved in the contract:
- The principal: The party that must fulfill the obligation.
- The obligee: The party that needs a guarantee the principal will perform.
- The surety: The party that issues the bond to guarantee the performance of the principal. If the principal fails to meet the agreed obligations, the surety will pay out claimed losses up to the bond amount with the principal ultimately liable for those losses.
The process in Mississippi begins when the obligee informs you or your business a surety bond is required. You must then research the type of bond that you need and its specific requirements. From there, you will apply online for the bond through a surety company or agency.
The surety company will require you to provide personal and business information such as names, addresses, social security numbers, and employee identification numbers. Their underwriters will use this information to review your financial health to assess the risk of issuing you the bond.
After your application is approved, you will receive a surety bond quote with the bond premium (which is another name for the price of the bond and which varies depending on the amount of bond coverage you applied for). If you accept the quote, you pay the premium and the surety company issues you the bond.
Who needs a surety bond in Mississippi?
Mississippi surety bonds are required across a variety of industries. There are two primary categories for these bonds; contract bonds and commercial bonds.
Contract Surety Bonds help project owners ensure that contractors perform their work properly. There are different types of contract bonds, including performance bonds which protect the project owner from financial loss if the contractor fails to perform in accordance with the agreement.
Contract Surety Bonds are most common in the construction industry but they are also used for janitorial services, transportation, and security services.
Commercial Bonds are often related to a specific license or permit and are required by the state of Mississippi and other municipal entities to ensure businesses comply with all necessary regulations. Some common license and permit bond types include:
- Motor Vehicle Dealer Bonds: The State of Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission requires a surety bond for auto dealers who sell used motor vehicles in the state.
- Contractor License Bonds: The City Of Mccomb and other municipalities require certain types of contractors to post a surety bond to provide assurance they will comply with laws relating to their field.
- Alcohol Bonds: The Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control requires surety bonds to ensure that businesses licensed to sell alcohol comply with all taxes and regulations.
- Sales Tax Bonds: The Mississippi State Tax Commission to ensure business owners comply with sales tax laws.
- Freight Broker Bonds: These bonds are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to legally operate as a transportation broker.
- Mortgage Broker Bonds: The Mississippi Department Of Banking And Consumer Finance requires surety bonds to guarantee mortgage brokers meet industry standards and comply with regulations.
- Auctioneer Bonds: The State Of Mississippi Auctioneer Commission requires surety bonds to help protect consumers from any illegal acts from an auctioneer.
How much does a surety bond cost in Mississippi?
Surety bond costs vary depending on the bond amount and the premium rate. The obligee sets the required bond amount and the surety determines your premium rate, which is the percentage of the total bond amount you pay as the premium.
Premium rates for surety bonds tend to range between 1% and 15%. When determining your premium rate, the surety company evaluates your credit history, financial statements, industry experience, and licensing history. The better your financial standing, the better rate you will receive. Bad credit can result in higher premiums and make it harder to secure certain bonds.
Below are the costs for some of the more popular surety bonds in the state of Mississippi.
- Mississippi Certificate of Title Bond: The State Of Mississippi requires surety bonds for individuals who own a vehicle without proof of ownership. The amount of these bonds depends on the value of the vehicle. EZ Surety can issue these bonds in the State of Mississippi for premiums as low as $100.
- Mississippi Mortgage Broker Bond The Mississippi Department Of Banking And Consumer Finance requires all mortgage originators to post a $25,000 surety bond. EZ Surety can issue these bonds for premiums as low as $1,125.
- BMC-84 Freight Broker Bond: Freight brokers and freight forwarders are required by the FMCSA to post a $75,000 surety bond to receive a freight broker license. EZ Surety can issue these bonds for a premium as low as $938, subject to underwriter review.