Surety & license bonds
Surety & license bonds — contractor, freight & permit bonds.
Contractor license bonds (CSLB $25,000), freight-broker BMC-84, DMV, notary and city permit bonds. Fast quotes and same-day issue. Мы говорим по-русски.
Office hours Mon–Fri 9am–5pm PT (closed major holidays) — please call during hours. After hours, text (310) 299-5555 or apply online anytime and we’ll follow up. Contact & office.
Availability, limits and terms are reviewed for your situation. A request does not bind insurance.
Get your bond online right now — or have an agent handle it
Have a licensed agent handle it
Best when the bond is unusual, you need a bid or performance bond for a project, your credit has had problems, or you want someone to make sure the bond matches exactly what the licensing agency asked for. Call or send us the bond form — we quote it, issue it and send you the bond.
Get your bond online — any hour, any day
Pick your state, find your bond, answer a few questions and see your price. Most license and permit bonds can be paid for and downloaded right away; some need a short underwriting review first. The application is run by our surety partner BondExchange and your bond is placed through CoverToday. Online in the states where CoverToday is licensed — AZ, CA, CO, IL, NV, NC, OH, SC and TX — plus the federal freight broker bond (BMC-84).
BondExchange is the surety platform CoverToday places bonds through, and we earn a commission on bonds purchased through this link. Buying online means you skip our review — call us first if you are not sure which bond or bond amount your license requires. Approval and price depend on the bond and your credit. Independent broker — coverage, eligibility, price and availability vary by carrier and policy and may not be available to everyone. (310) 299-5555 · covertoday.com/quote
The bond that lets you get licensed
A surety bond is a three-party guarantee that you’ll follow the rules of your license or contract — it protects your customers and the agency that licenses you, not you. We place the full range: contractor license bonds, freight-broker BMC-84, auto-dealer and DMV bonds, notary, janitorial and city/permit bonds. Most are quick to issue, so you can get a quote and your bond document the same day.
What it covers
Contractor license bond
California’s CSLB requires a $25,000 contractor license bond to activate or renew your license.
Freight broker bond (BMC-84)
The $75,000 FMCSA bond required to operate as a freight broker or forwarder.
Auto dealer / DMV bonds
Motor-vehicle dealer and other DMV-required bonds.
Permit & license bonds
City and county business-license and permit bonds (janitorial, etc.).
Notary & misc. bonds
Notary public bonds and other small commercial bonds.
How much it costs
You don’t pay the full bond amount — you pay a premium, usually a small percentage of the bond based on your credit. A California $25,000 contractor license bond often runs about $100–$400 per year for good credit. A $75,000 freight-broker BMC-84 typically costs around $900–$3,750 per year depending on credit and experience. Most bonds are quick to issue, so you get an exact price and your bond document the same day.
Figures are general market ranges — your exact rate depends on your profile. Call (310) 299-5555 for a free, no-obligation quote.
Who needs it
California licensed contractors must carry a $25,000 CSLB license bond to hold an active license. Freight brokers and forwarders need a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond or BMC-85 trust fund before the FMCSA grants authority. Auto dealers, notaries, and many city/county business licenses require their own permit bonds. If a license, the state, or a contract asks for a bond, we can place it — usually the same day.
How it works
Tell us the bond you need
Bond type and amount (e.g. CSLB $25,000 or BMC-84 $75,000).
Get an instant quote
Most bonds are priced instantly from your basic info and credit.
Get your bond issued
We issue and file your bond — often the same day, handled under CoverToday, where available.
See how the pieces fit
Three parties, one specific obligation
Three topics to review with your agent. These are comparison prompts, not a promise of coverage.
- 01
Principal
Identify the person or business that must provide the bond.
- 02
Obligee
Bring the exact bond form from the agency or party requiring it.
- 03
Surety
Ask about underwriting, cost, term and any indemnity obligation before signing.
Before we talk
Make the first conversation useful.
You don’t need every detail ready. Start with what you know; an agent can help with the rest.
- What your business does and where it operates
- Employees and insurance requirements in contracts
- Existing coverage and your desired start date
Please keep Social Security numbers, financial details and documents out of the public request form. An agent can explain the appropriate way to provide them if needed.
Common questions
How much does a surety bond cost?
You pay a premium, not the full bond. A CA $25,000 contractor bond is often ~$100–$400/year; a $75,000 BMC-84 freight broker bond ~$900–$3,750/year, depending on credit.
What is a contractor license bond?
California’s CSLB requires a $25,000 license bond to activate or renew a contractor license. It protects consumers, not the contractor.
I’m a freight broker — what bond do I need?
The BMC-84, a $75,000 FMCSA surety bond required before your broker authority is granted. We can issue it online. FMCSA also permits a $75,000 BMC-85 trust fund as an alternative to the bond.
How fast can I get a bond?
Most license and permit bonds issue quickly — we can get you a quote and your bond document the same day.
Does bad credit affect my bond price?
It can — premium is partly based on credit — but we work with multiple markets to find an approval and a fair rate.
Is a surety bond the same as insurance?
No. Insurance protects you; a surety bond guarantees your obligation to others. Many businesses need both.