Surety Bonds

West Bend’s surety operation includes experienced, innovative underwriters providing a reliable, fast, solutions-oriented partner for our bond customers. Since 1971, West Bend has maintained an A rating (excellent) or better by A.M. Best, an organization recognized worldwide as the benchmark for assessing insurers’ financial strength.

What is a Surety Bond?

While an insurance policy is a two party agreement between the insured and the carrier (West Bend), a surety bond is an agreement that provides monetary compensation to a third party (obligee) if the bonded party (principal) fails to perform a specific obligation within a stated period. Please find more information about the types of bonds available from West Bend by using the glossary below.

West Bend’s Surety Bond Products

• Performance and Payment Bonds
• Small Contractor Bonds
• SBA Bond Guarantee
• License and Permit Bonds
• Court and Fiduciary Bonds
• Business Service Bonds
• ERISA Bonds
• Public Official Bonds
• Notary Bonds
• Miscellaneous Bonds

Performance and Payment Bonds

A performance bond guarantees that a contractor on a construction project will perform in accordance with the terms of the contract, while a payment bond ensures that a contractor will pay obligations for labor and material costs.

Small Contractor Bonds | Rapid Bonds

Rapid Bond is West Bend Mutual Insurance Company’s small contractor bonding program designed for contractors with infrequent bond needs. With a streamlined application and credit score-based underwriting approach, this program allows agents to obtain immediate online approval for bid, performance and payment bonds.

SBA Bond Guarantee Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Surety Bond Guarantee Program, in conjunction with the surety industry, helps small construction companies obtain required bonds on federal, state, local, and commercial construction projects or service contracts. Small, emerging or minority contractors grow by increasing contracting opportunities, especially in public sector construction.

License and Permit Bonds

License and Permit bonds are required by all levels of Government, from the Federal level, to the States, to local municipalities. These bonds cover an array of guarantees including performance, maintenance, remittance of taxes and fees, and adherence to the laws, regulations and ordinances related to the work covered by the license or permit.

Court and Fiduciary Bonds

Court and Fiduciary bonds guarantee that a person or organization will faithfully perform certain duties prescribed by the courts, or that they will demonstrate financial responsibility for another’s benefit until a final decision is rendered by the courts.

Business Service Bonds

Business Service Bonds are an optional crime coverage that a company with employees working in a client’s homes or offices should carry. This bond protects a business from any loss incurred from dishonest acts of employees against the third party property of its customers.

ERISA Bonds

In 1974, the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) was enacted to regulate most types of employee benefit plans. The ERISA bond is required to protect the participants and beneficiaries from dishonest acts of the person(s) who handles the plan assets.

Public Official Bond

A public official bond guarantees the faithful performance of the duties of a public official and an honest accounting of all the public funds handled by that person.

Notary Bonds

Notary bonds protect the consumer or individual receiving the bond from any errors or omissions made by a notary public. This bond also ensures against any unethical behavior or dishonesty on the part of a notary public during the course of business.

Miscellaneous Bonds

Miscellaneous bonds are those that don’t fit well under the other commercial surety bond classifications. They often support private relationships and unique business needs.