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Surety bonds in Washington & Florida

License bonds, contract bonds, and more — if a job, state license, or contract requires a surety bond, Maru helps Washington and Florida businesses get bonded quickly and affordably.

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A surety bond isn't insurance for you — it's a three-party guarantee that protects your customers and the public if you fail to meet a legal or contractual obligation. Contractors, auto dealers, freight brokers, and many licensed trades in Washington and Florida are required to post one to get or keep a license or to win a project. Maru arranges surety bonds across the range businesses actually need, and because we're independent, we shop the surety markets to get you the lowest premium your credit and experience allow.

Quick take: A bond and insurance are not the same. Insurance protects you against your own losses. A surety bond protects others — if a claim is paid on your bond, you're required to reimburse the surety. That's why bond pricing is really about your creditworthiness and track record, not your risk of an accident.

Common types of surety bonds

Bonds Washington and Florida businesses request most
Bond typeWhat it guarantees
License & permit bondsYou'll comply with the laws governing your licensed trade
Contract / construction bondsBid, performance, and payment bonds on projects
Auto dealer bondsDealers follow state motor-vehicle regulations
Freight broker (BMC-84) bondsFederal $75,000 guarantee for freight brokers
Notary & court bondsFaithful performance of official or court-ordered duties
Fidelity/ERISA (related)Protect funds against employee dishonesty

What a bond costs

You don't pay the bond's full “face amount” — you pay a premium that's a percentage of it, driven mostly by your credit and experience. Applicants with strong credit often pay just 1–3% of the bond amount per year; higher-risk profiles pay more. So a $25,000 license bond might cost a few hundred dollars annually. We work with surety markets that specialize in exactly your bond type and can place harder cases that a single carrier would decline.

Washington and Florida requirements

Washington requires contractors to file a bond with L&I as a condition of registration, with amounts set by contractor type, and many specialty licenses carry their own bond requirements. Florida requires bonds across numerous licensed activities — from certain contractors to motor-vehicle dealers — and construction projects routinely demand performance and payment bonds. We know each state's amounts and filing steps, so you get bonded correctly the first time and don't lose a job or license window waiting.

Frequently asked questions

Is a surety bond the same as insurance?
No. Insurance protects you from your own losses. A surety bond is a guarantee to a third party — a licensing board, a project owner, the public — that you'll meet an obligation. If a valid claim is paid on your bond, you must repay the surety. It protects others, not you.
How much does a surety bond cost?
You pay a percentage of the bond's face amount, not the whole thing. With good credit, that's often 1–3% per year — so a $25,000 bond might run a few hundred dollars annually. Weaker credit or higher-risk bond types cost more. We shop surety markets to find your best rate.
What bonds do contractors need in Washington and Florida?
Washington contractors must file a bond with L&I to register, with the amount set by contractor type. Florida requires bonds for various licensed activities, and construction projects often require bid, performance, and payment bonds. We'll identify the exact bond and amount your license or project requires.
Can I get bonded with bad credit?
Often yes. While premium is higher for weaker credit, specialty surety markets write ‘hard-to-place’ bonds that standard carriers decline. As an independent agency we have access to those markets and can usually find a path to getting you bonded.
Vadim, licensed insurance advisor at Maru Insurance
Vadim — Maru Insurance
Licensed independent insurance agent · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by a licensed Maru advisor. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (License #22261820) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.

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