You Missed the Boat!

You missed registering for our 9/1/20 FIA Surety Free CE class. But you can get in on the 10/1/20 program. You and all your colleagues can attend from your home or office computers.

  • Free!
  • Easy!
  • Learn about surety bonds!
  • Earn 3 CE credits!

Our Continuing Education courses are approved in NJ, PA, SC, FL, TX and TN. (more coming soon)

Click for details and registration

Since 1979, FIA Surety (a bonding carrier) has provided Site, Subdivision, Bid and Performance Bonds. Check us out!

Need a bond? Call: 973-541-3417

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

183. FIA Surety: Turning “DUH!” into “TA-DAH!”

How it started: “Hi Steve, I have a strange scenario I hope you can help me…”

Our agent had a performance bond client established with a surety and the SBA program.  They needed a P&P bond for a municipal project and the surety demanded payment in advance.  The client could not comply.

The award and notice to proceed were issued and the contractor commenced with the work – but the obligee forgot about the bond, until now. The contract is completed but the client cannot receive their final payment until they file a maintenance bond.  Due to weak credit, the surety is refusing to issue unless they add additional indemnitors.  The job is finished: DUH!

We gathered a file and asked for a status inquiry form from the obligee (to confirm the degree of completion and obligee’s satisfaction with the project.)  The contractor passed along the form, but the project manager refused to complete it, stating he “never saw one of these before.” DUH #2!

We made contact with the township engineer and after a friendly conversation, were able to verify everything was OK and they promptly completed the form for our records.  We evaluated the bonding requirements and determined that the Performance bond form contained an 18 month maintenance clause (no separate maintenance bond), so the P&P bond was still needed.  FIA Surety issued it, and with no SBA support or additional indemnity required: TA-DAH!

The agent is happy.  The contractor is happy.  The township has a completed project with maintenance coverage. We bonded a job that was completed and accepted.  Now was that so hard?

FIA Surety is First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, your go-to carrier for Site, Subdivision, Bid and Performance bonds. Call 856-304-7348

Making TA-DAH moments for our clients since 1979.

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX

Free CE from Palomar Surety

State-approved • Live Zoom • 3 CE credits • No exam

Free, State-Approved CE Webinars for Insurance Agents

A Free Service of FIA Surety, a Palomar Company!

Register once — attend all upcoming classes. Credits reported to your state. No software purchase required.

Credits3 General/Ethics (varies by state). Once per license cycle per course.
FormatLive webinar via Zoom. Mobile/desktop friendly. Attendance checks built-in.
CostAlways free for licensed agents and CSRs. No exam required.
Register onceUse one form to access every upcoming session.

Approved States

Important Notice – CE Eligibility
Attendees are responsible for informing themselves of their own state insurance department requirements as they relate to eligibility for continuing education (CE) credits.
AlabamaApproved
ArizonaApproved
CaliforniaApproved
Affidavit Required
DelawareApproved
Florida Special rule
Affidavit Required
See details
You cannot repeat the same course and receive credit if it has been taken within two years of the original completion date — meaning within the same biennial renewal cycle.
GeorgiaApproved
Louisiana Approved
MarylandApproved
MassachusettsApproved
MississippiApproved
New JerseyApproved
New YorkApproved
North CarolinaApproved
OhioApproved
OregonApproved
PennsylvaniaApproved
South Carolina Special rule
Affidavit Required
See details
A continuing education course may be repeated; however, credit may not be given more than once for the same course during a biennial compliance period.
TennesseeApproved
TexasApproved
Virginia Special rule
See details
No more than 75 percent of required credits may come from courses provided or given by insurance agencies or insurance companies. This includes all insurance companies or agencies, not just companies or agencies with which one is associated.
West VirginiaApproved
South DakotaApproved
Questions? Contact Steve Golia, Director (856) 304-7348 — sgolia@plmr.com

Upcoming Classes

Understanding Site and Subdivision Bonds

Online3 CE credits

They’re the same, but they’re different. You’ll understand after this webinar! (CA course #392308)

WIP Schedules (Work In Process) Own them!

Online3 CE credits

These are essential when handling contract surety business. No more mystery or confusion!! (CA course #392307)

General Indemnity Agreements – Be An Expert!

Online3 CE credits

Learn the power of these amazing documents, how to overcome client objections, even how to AVOID personal indemnity! (CA course #392310)

Webinar List
  • Work In Process (WIP) Schedules – Own Them! — California course #392307
  • General Indemnity Agreements – Be An Expert! — California course #392310
  • Ethical Foundations in Insurance Not accredited in CA or FL
  • Surety Bond Fundamentals — California course #393359
  • Advanced Surety Bonding Solutions — California course #392315
  • Understanding Financial Statements — California course #392309
  • Advanced Financial Statement Analysis — California course #392316
  • All About Performance and Payment Bonds — California course #392314
  • Commercial and Miscellaneous Bonds — California course #392311
  • Understanding Site and Subdivision Bonds — California course #392308

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this really free? Do I have to buy anything?

Yes. Classes are free for licensed agents/CSRs. No exam or software purchase is required.

How many credits do I earn?

Typically 3 CE credits per course. Some states have additional limits or paperwork. Check the state list.

Do I need to register for each class?

No. Register once to unlock all upcoming sessions. You’ll receive reminders and join links by email.

How are credits reported?

We submit rosters to your state within the required window after the webinar. Please register using your legal name, NPN, and license number.

REGISTRATION FORM – Click “SUBMIT” at the end. Register ONCE for all future webinars.

All agency employees are welcome to attend our webinars. If you are not attending for CE credits, enter “N/A” for the license info.

MANDATORY: We are required to verify your identity. Take a “selfie” showing your face and holding a government issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license. We only need to collect this once. Send to “sgolia@plmr.com” (School Director)

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Thanks for registering. Watch for a confirmation email containing additional info.

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Beautiful!!

Graduate from the SBA

Congrats to the kids!!  They finally made it.  Now its their time to move on and move up.  What about contractors in the SBA Bonding program?  Is it their time to graduate?

The SBA program is a great help, and the people are awesome: dedicated, helpful.  But the program has a down side.  It costs time and money to obtain their bonding support.  So if a contractor could get federal and other projects without this extra step, why wouldn’t they?

Here’s what you gain, more or less, by graduating into a regular surety relationship:

More

  • Time to pursue productive activities – new projects, strategic planning, employee training, educational opportunities, etc.
  • Time for other personal and family priorities
  • Profits on your projects and financial statement overall
  • Increased profits can lead to higher bonding limits and bigger projects
  • Credibility – a graduated company no longer needing extra help

Less

  • Bonding expenses (bond premium plus SBA fee) on each project
  • Time spent filling out double forms for the surety and the SBA
  • Answering questions to both
  • Waiting for approvals

OK, so if graduating sounds great, how do you do it?

Step one: Ask the current bonding company to provide bonds without the SBA program.  If they do it, you can thank us later!

Step two: If they refuse, call FIA Surety!  We provide bonds for federal and local projects without the need for SBA support.  It takes a creative, experienced surety to graduate contractors.   FIA has been providing Bid, Performance & Payment, Site and Subdivision Bonds since 1979. We’re steady.  We’re willing.  We’re creative.

It’s time to graduate!

For Site, Subdivision, Bid and Performance Bonds call Steve Golia: 856-304-7348

FIA Surety / First Indemnity of America Insurance Company, Morris Plains, NJ

We are currently licensed in: NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, WV, TN,  FL, GA, AL, OK, TX