Surety bonds • Pricing
How Much Does a Surety Bond Cost? Rates and Examples
A surety bond usually costs a percentage of the bond amount, not the full amount. Published guides put most premiums between about 0.5% and 10% a year, depending on your credit, the bond type, and the surety. For example, a $10,000 bond might cost about $50 to $1,000 a year.
This guide explains how surety bond premiums are calculated, typical rates by credit and bond type, worked examples, and ways to lower your cost. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency, and a licensed agent can help you compare bond options.
Request a surety bond quote
Tell us the bond type, the bond amount, and who requires it, and a licensed agent will follow up. Submitting the form does not bind coverage.
If the form does not load, call 888-387-3687, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00, or email info@blakeinsurancegroup.com.
Prefer to quote online yourself?
Get a surety bond quote online, without waiting for a call back. Many license and permit bonds can be issued the same day.
Get a surety bond quote through Propeller →License, permit, contract, and commercial bonds through our Propeller portal.
Sponsored. Each link opens the partner’s website in a new tab, where its terms and privacy policy apply. Blake Insurance Group may be compensated if you buy.
How surety bond premiums are calculated
The premium is the bond amount multiplied by the rate. Sureties often state the rate per $1,000 of bond: a $10-per-thousand rate is 1%, so a $10,000 bond would cost $100. Some small bonds are instant issue, sold at one set price to everyone, while others are underwritten, priced individually after a credit check and sometimes a review of financial statements (SuretyBonds.com, JW Surety Bonds).
Premiums are generally fully earned once the bond is issued, so they are usually not refunded if you cancel early.
Surety bond cost by credit score
| Bond amount | Excellent credit (675+) | Average (600–675) | Below 600 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $50–$300 | $300–$500 | $500–$1,000 |
| $50,000 | $250–$1,500 | $1,500–$2,500 | $2,500–$5,000 |
| $100,000 | $500–$3,000 | $3,000–$5,000 | $5,000–$10,000 |
Estimates published by SuretyBonds.com. They are not quotes; your price depends on the bond type, the surety, and underwriting.
Surety bond cost by bond type
| Bond type | How it is usually priced |
|---|---|
| License and permit bonds | Often a set annual rate for small bonds, or about 1% to 10% of the bond amount based on credit |
| Notary bonds | Typically about $30 to $80, usually with no credit check |
| Contract bonds (performance and payment) | About 0.5% to 3% of the contract amount, often on a sliding scale, with financial underwriting |
| Bid bonds | Often no direct charge for contractors with a bonding line; some providers charge about $100 |
| Court bonds | Varies widely; appeal bonds often require collateral |
| Fidelity and janitorial bonds | Priced by coverage amount and number of employees |
Ranges summarized from SuretyBonds.com, JW Surety Bonds, and NASBP.
Worked examples
- $10,000 license bond, strong credit at 1%: about $100 a year.
- $25,000 license bond at 2%: about $500 a year.
- $100,000 bond at 3%: about $3,000 a year.
- $500,000 performance bond on a sliding scale: often a few thousand to about $10,000, depending on the contractor’s finances and the surety’s rates.
Examples use simple percentages for illustration. Use our surety bond cost calculator for an estimate, or request a quote for an actual price.
What affects the cost of a surety bond
- Credit score and history. The biggest factor for most license and permit bonds.
- Bond type and amount. Contract and court bonds carry more risk than small license bonds.
- Financial strength. Contract bonds often require business and personal financial statements.
- Experience and claims history. Prior bond claims raise the price or limit options.
- Collateral. Some higher-risk bonds require collateral in addition to the premium.
Ways to lower your bond cost
- Improve your credit before applying, and check your report for errors.
- Keep clean financial statements if you need contract bonds.
- Compare sureties. Rates and underwriting vary.
- Ask about multi-year terms where the obligee allows them.
- Ask about premium financing for larger bonds.
How to buy a surety bond
Many small license, permit, and notary bonds can be bought online in minutes. Larger bonds, contract bonds, and bonds for applicants with credit challenges usually need underwriting. Our guide to buying a surety bond online explains which bonds can be issued instantly.
Surety bond cost FAQs
How much does a $10,000 surety bond cost?
Published estimates range from about $50 to $300 a year with excellent credit, and up to about $1,000 with credit below 600. Small instant-issue bonds may have one set price.
Do I pay the full bond amount?
No. You pay a premium, usually a percentage of the bond amount. The bond amount is the most the surety may pay on a valid claim, which you would generally have to repay.
Can I get a surety bond with bad credit?
Often, yes, though rates are higher, commonly about 5% to 10%, and some bonds may require collateral.
Is a surety bond premium refundable?
Usually not after the bond is issued, because premiums are generally considered fully earned.
What is the cheapest type of surety bond?
Small license, permit, and notary bonds are usually the least expensive, sometimes under $100 a year.
Related guides
- Bid bonds
- Fidelity bond cost
- Buy a surety bond online
- License and permit bonds
- South Dakota surety bonds
- West Virginia surety bonds
- New Mexico surety bonds
- Nebraska surety bonds
- Kansas surety bonds
- Iowa surety bonds
- Oklahoma surety bonds
- South Carolina surety bonds
- Alabama surety bonds
- Tennessee surety bonds
- Washington surety bonds
- Michigan surety bonds
- Pennsylvania surety bonds
- New Jersey surety bonds
- Illinois surety bonds
- Georgia surety bonds
- Virginia surety bonds
- North Carolina surety bonds
- Ohio surety bonds
- New York surety bonds
- Florida surety bonds
- California surety bonds
- Texas surety bonds
- Payment bonds
- ERISA bonds
- Arizona surety bonds
- Arizona mortgage broker bond
- Arizona collection agency bond
- Arizona TPT bond for contractors
- Performance bonds
- Court bonds
- Arizona probate bond
- Janitorial bonds
- Arizona contractor license bond
- Arizona notary bond
- Arizona auto dealer bond
- Freight broker bond
- Surety bonds
- Surety bond cost calculator
- What is a surety bond?
- Types of surety bonds
- Licensed, bonded, and insured
Important information
Compensation. The link in the partner quote box near the top of this page is sponsored, and Blake Insurance Group may be paid if you make a purchase. Sponsored placement does not affect the other information on this page.
Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16944666. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state. Mentioning a company on this page does not mean we represent it.
Cost figures. Published averages and ranges are cited from the sources named, as of the dates shown. They are not quotes and may not reflect your price, which depends on the insurer, the surety, your credit, the bond type, and underwriting.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls.
Your next step
Tell us the bond you need, and a licensed agent will help you compare options, or start a quote online with our partner.
