Surety bond cost calculator
Enter your bond amount and credit to estimate your annual premium. It's free, and you don't need to sign up to get a number.
About 1.5–3.0% of a $25,000 bond.
Estimate only. Your real rate is set by the surety after a quick credit check, and the premium is typically nonrefundable once the bond is issued.
What drives your rate
For most license and contractor bonds, your premium is a percentage of the bond amount, set mainly by your credit. Typical market ranges:
| Credit | Score | Typical rate | On a $25,000 bond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 720+ | 0.8–1.5% | $188–$375 |
| Good | 680–719 | 1.5–3.0% | $375–$750 |
| Fair | 640–679 | 3.0–5.0% | $750–$1,250 |
| Building | below 640 | 5.0–10.0% | $1,250–$2,500 |
Estimates based on typical market rates. Your exact rate is set by the surety after a soft credit check.
Surety bond cost FAQ
How much does a surety bond cost?
You don't pay the full bond amount. You pay an annual premium that is a percentage of it, usually around 1–3% with good credit and more if your credit is still building. A $25,000 bond often costs a few hundred dollars a year.
How is the premium calculated?
Premium = bond amount × a rate set by the surety. The rate is driven mainly by your personal credit, plus the bond type and risk. Small bonds often carry a minimum premium around $100.
Does my credit really change the cost?
Yes, credit is the biggest factor for most license and contractor bonds. Strong credit can mean roughly 1% of the bond amount, while building credit can be 5–10% or more. You can almost always still get bonded either way.
Is the premium refundable?
Generally no. Once the bond is issued, the premium is earned by the surety and is typically nonrefundable, even if you never have a claim. Most bonds run one to two years and you renew to keep your license active.
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