Category: Uncategorized

BMC-84 vs. BMC-85 Bonds: What’s the Difference?

Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. In this post, we’ll discuss the key differences between BMC-84 and BMC-85 bonds, so you can determine which is right for your needs. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your freight broker or freight forwarder bond needs.

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What Happens When a Claim is Filed against a Surety Bond?

Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. In this post, we’d like to share a little more information on how the bonding process works, specifically what happens when a claim is filed against a surety bond. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your surety bond needs.

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Nebraska Car Dealer License Guide

Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Nebraska car dealer bond needs. Learn how to get a Nebraska car dealer license and contact us today to request a quote on the bond you need.

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Missouri Car Dealer License Guide

Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Missouri car dealer bond needs. Learn how to get a Missouri car dealer license and contact us today to request a quote on the bond you need.

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How to Become a Mortgage Broker in Washington

Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Washington mortgage broker bond needs. Learn how to become a mortgage broker in Washington, below. What Mortgage Broker Licenses Are Issued in the state of Washington? The state of Washington defines a mortgage broker as “any company (including a sole proprietorship) that for compensation or gain, or in the expectation of compensation or gain: (a) assists a person in obtaining or applying to obtain a residential mortgage loan or (b) holds itself out as being able to assist a person in obtaining or applying to obtain a residential mortgage loan.” Although mortgage broker licenses are issued by the Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), applications for licensure are submitted and processed through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System, or NMLS. What Are the Steps in the Licensing Process? The NMLS website provides a checklist you can use to make sure that you meet all eligibility criteria and pre-licensing requirements before you complete an application. Pre-licensing requirements include registering the business with the Washington Secretary...

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What is an indemnity bond?

An indemnity bond assures the holder of the bond, that they will be duly compensated in case of a possible loss. This bond is an agreement that protects the lender from loss if the borrower defaults on a legally binding loan.  If the principal fails to fulfill the contractual obligations (agreed upon by the obligee and the principal), the principal pays up to the full bonded amount (including legal costs). If a person fails to pay the agreed upon amount, then their corporate and personal assets will be used to pay them.  This bond is non-negotiable.  If not signed, the surety bond will not be approved. So what is an indemnity bond? An indemnity bond gives the legal right to collect from the principal any amount that the surety has paid out in a claimed situation. As per the agreement, it requires that the company pay a premium. For example, if the surety company must pay another contractor to complete the project, the surety company will make a demand on the bonded contractor that they pay for this expense. The surety company can sue the contractor if they fail to do so. Understanding an indemnity bond is very important. If not...

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Surety Bond Professionals Celebrates 5th Year Anniversary

Surety Bond Professionals Celebrates 5th Year Anniversary

Surety Bond Professionals (SBP) has reached an exciting milestone as the company celebrates 5 years of providing surety bonds to the construction and commercial industries. Our Origins Mark Leskanic, President, founded the agency in 2015 after years of working for large bonding companies and insurance agencies. Mark recognized the need for a bond-only agency that treats clients, employees, and underwriters as a “business family.” This approach has allowed the company to meet the needs of contractors, clients, and insurance agencies by streamlining the bonding process, offering the most competitive bonding limits, rates, and the best hands-on service. Serving All 50 States The company is headquartered in Massachusetts with a regional office in Mississippi and now employs 8 people. SBP began writing bonds primarily in the New England area, but in the last couple of years their efforts have expanded to routinely write surety bonds in all 50 states. A Note From Mark Leskanic, President Mark reflected on the company’s 5th anniversary by saying, “These have been an amazing 5 years. We started out with a philosophy of keenly listening to the marketplace, delivering a high-quality products, and providing the most attentive customer service. Our founding beliefs remain our top...

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What Contractors Can Do During the Coronavirus Pandemic – A Bonding Agent’s Recommendations

What Contractors Can Do During the Coronavirus Pandemic – A Bonding Agent’s Recommendations

In a world turned upside-down by a global pandemic, contractors are likely working extra hard to make sure their business is braving the storm. They may be experiencing a variety of struggles, including a shortage of labor & supplies, cash flowing payroll and liabilities, and completing contracts on schedule. During a time like this, it’s important for contractors to turn to their trusted advisors who can provide reliable information and guidance. Here are five measures from a bonding perspective to ensure your business can continue to run smoothly, while staying out of trouble with the surety company: 1. Have a construction attorney review your current contract(s) to avoid performance bond issues. Understand what rights you may have in this situation, especially related to force majeure. Force majeure is a contract provision that allows you to call a stoppage on work during a crisis like the Coronavirus pandemic, without incurring performance bond claims. If your contract was signed after the President declared a State of Emergency on March 13, however, the owner/GC could state that COVID-19 was a known risk, and any delays could be the responsibility of your company and result in liquidated damages. This is not legal advice...

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Mortgage Broker Bonds

Mortgage Broker Bonds

The mortgage industry is highly regulated, and the people who work in it are held to high standards. Mortgage brokers must be licensed by the states they work in, and most states require the purchase of a mortgage broker surety bond as part of the licensing process. Learn more about these bonds below, and request a quote from Surety Bond Professionals today. What Are They? As the “middlemen” linking borrowers and potential lenders, mortgage brokers handle a lot of sensitive personal information. A mortgage broker bond serves as a broker’s guarantee to operate entirely within the law in obtaining and handling that information and carrying out all duties of the position. The bond is intended to ensure the availability of funds to compensate any party who suffers a financial loss due to the broker’s unlawful or unethical actions. Who Needs Them? In all but a few states, anyone seeking to obtain or renew a license as a mortgage broker is required to purchase this type of bond. It a type of license and permit surety bond. How Do They Work? The agency that licenses mortgage brokers in each state is known as the bond’s obligee. The obligee determines the...

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Freight Broker Bonds (BMC-84 Bonds)

Freight Broker Bonds (BMC-84 Bonds)

Freight Broker Bonds (BMC-84 Bonds) Learn more about BMC-84 bonds below, and contact Surety Bond Professionals today to request a quote. Our experienced surety agents are ready to help you get the bonds you need. What Are They? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, requires freight brokers and forwarders to put up $75,000 in funds to provide financial protection for shippers and carriers. This provides funds to pay shippers’ or carriers’ claims who are owed money from a freight broker or freight forwarder. This requirement can be met by either: Purchasing a $75,000 surety bond, known as a BMC-84 bond Putting up cash or line of credit (LOC)—or some combination of cash and LOC Because purchasing a BMC-84 bond is part of the process of obtaining an operating license, it’s categorized as a license and permit bond. Who Needs Them? Any freight broker or forwarder seeking a license to operate within the United States must purchase a BMC-84 bond or put up $75,000 in cash and/or an LOC. Many brokers and forwarders choose to purchase a bond rather than tie up their cash or credit and pay a...

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