Students of the industry are familiar with the “3Cs of Bonding” which are intended to describe the key elements of decision making in surety bond underwriting:
- Character: Does the Principal (bond applicant) have a credit record and other history suggesting good character and that they will be faithful to their obligations?
- Capacity: Does the Principal have the skill, experience, knowledge, staff, plant and equipment necessary to perform their contracts?
- Capital: Do they have the financial wherewithal to finance the new project as well as other current obligations and address any problems that arise?
To understand why these are relevant, let’s take a step back and review the premise under which surety bonds, such as Performance Bonds for construction contracts, are given.
If you read our previous issues of “Secrets of Bonding,” you will recall that bonds are not insurance and sureties do not anticipate claims or losses the way insurers do. Therefore, the underwriting process is intended to reveal if the bond applicant is likely to succeed without involving the surety.
Surety underwriters dig deep, ask questions, and require proof. As far as humanly possible, their goal is to have certainty that the Principal can fulfill the obligations that are covered by the bond.
At the end of the underwriting process, the underwriter should arrive at what we’ll call the “4th C of Bonding.” It is the most important one of all because no applicant has ever gotten a bond without it.
It is CONFIDENCE. When the 3 Cs are evaluated, if the underwriter is confident in the principal’s ability to perform, the bond is approved and issued.
With this in mind, applicants must work through a sometimes arduous underwriting process where information must be gathered, submitted and sometimes re-submitted. Banking records, references, and supporting documents may be requested. It can go on for weeks. If you like paperwork, raise your hand!
However, the underwriting process must be viewed as an opportunity for the applicant, not a burden. The mind of the underwriter is like a blank canvas on which the applicant will portray their bond worthiness. It must be a picture of Confidence.
The 3Cs are all important. But now you know about the critical 4th C. Without it, no bond was ever written.
FIA Surety is a NJ based bonding company (carrier) that has specialized in Site, Subdivision, Bid and Performance Bonds since 1979 – we’re good at it! We get to know our agents and bond applicants to maximize Confidence.
Call us with your next Site, Bid or Performance Bond.
Steve Golia 856-304-7348
First Indemnity of America Ins. Co.
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