{"id":29931,"date":"2022-12-09T20:22:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-09T20:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/?p=29931"},"modified":"2023-01-21T18:49:31","modified_gmt":"2023-01-21T18:49:31","slug":"surety-bonds-startups-7-things-every-business-owner-needs-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/insurance\/surety-bonds-startups-7-things-every-business-owner-needs-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Surety Bonds & Startups: 7 Things Every Business Owner Needs to Know","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ever been called a Jack-of-all-trades? If you\u2019re running a business, there is a good chance you have. After all, it isn\u2019t uncommon for startup owners to take on multiple roles while the company gets off the ground, from CEO to accountant to marketer and everything in between. And commonly, one of those roles involves understanding the legalities related to your business\u2014which may include getting a surety bond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re wondering what is a surety bond<\/a>? Does my business need one? Or where\u2019s the best place to get a bond? This quick start guide will get you in the know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. Surety Bond Party Definitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before diving into what a surety bond is, it is essential to understand who is involved. Even though there are various types of surety bonds, they always have three parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRINCIPAL <\/strong>\u2013 whoever is required to obtain the bond (your business)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OBLIGEE<\/strong> – the entity requiring the bond (government agency, regulatory body, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SURETY<\/strong> – <\/strong>a surety bond provider. This can be an independent agency or a specialized division of an insurance company that is backing the bond financially<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. What is a Surety Bond?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A surety bond is a legally-binding financial guarantee<\/a>. It acts as a form of customer, supplier, and\/or government protection. Basically, if you default on any contractual obligations related to your job (failing to complete agreed-upon work, poor project quality, failing to pay suppliers, etc.), then a claim can be made against the bond. If the claim is valid, the surety pays out to whoever filed the claim, and you are then responsible for repaying those costs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A surety bond is essentially a line of credit that if you need to have, you never want to use. To know if your business needs a surety bond, look over the rules and regulations related to your industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Businesses that commonly require surety bonds to operate legally include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n