Louisiana Surety Bonds Explained
If you own a business in the State of Louisiana, it’s very likely that you’ll be required to get a Louisiana surety bond in order to get your business license. Surety bonds are a common prerequisite in a number of industries and are there to ensure companies and professionals comply with regulations.
Surety bonds requirements are put in place to protect the public, and the state, from financial loss caused by fraudulent or negligent business practices. The bond acts like a contract between three entities: the obligee, the principal and the surety.
The principal is the entity that’s required to get bonded – in this case your business. The body that has asked you to get bonded is known as the obligee. This is often a government agency or licensing body. The surety bond company is the party that underwrites the bond and pays out to a claimant if the terms of the bond are breached.
Some of the most common situations that require a Louisiana surety bond are:
- You are applying for a business license with a local or state authority. License bonds are commonly needed by brokers, finance companies, tradespeople and some retailers. For example, you’ll need to apply for a license and permit bond to become a mortgage lender, an auctioneer, a freight broker or an auto dealer.
- You’re a contractor bidding on public or private construction projects. In this case you may need to obtain both a bid bond and one or more contract bonds. Bid bonds are there to reimburse project owners for any losses incurred if a chosen contractor pulls out of a job. Contract bonds ensure that a contractor will fulfill their contractual obligations. These are also known as performance bonds. Contractors are also often required to purchase payment bonds. These guarantee that the contractor will pay their sub-contractor for services rendered.
- You are assigned to act as a fiduciary of another person’s assets (as in the case of probate or guardianship for a minor) or if you want to bring a court case to an appellate court. In these cases, you’ll need a court bond.
Ready to start your bonding process? You can find the right Louisiana surety bond for your needs in the table below. The full list of bonds required in the state is available at the end of the page.
Need help finding your bond? Please don’t hesitate to contact us at (877) 514-5146.
Most Popular Surety Bonds in Louisiana
Planning to launch a car dealership in Louisiana? You’ll need to purchase a motor vehicle dealer bond of between $10,000 and $30,000. The bond amount you’ll require depends on the type of business you plan to open.
If you’d like to get licensed as a mortgage broker in Louisiana, you’ll need to purchase a mortgage broker bond of $25,000 or $50,000. In this case, the bond amount is calculated according to your loan volume.
In Louisiana, contractors must post a minimum $1,000 contractor license bond in order to get licensed in the state. Having a contractor license allows you to work legally and ensures the public are properly protected from financial losses if something goes wrong.
To run a collection agency in Louisiana, you’re required to purchase a $15,000 collection agency bond. You’ll need to get bonded before you can apply for your professional license.
Selling tobacco and cigarette products in Louisiana requires that you obtain a minimum $2,500 cigarette tax bond.
Want to work as an insurance adjuster in Louisiana? You’ll need to obtain a $50,000 public adjuster bond to secure your professional license.
Questions about Surety Bonds in Louisiana
How Much Does a Louisiana Surety Bond Cost?
When you purchase a Louisiana surety bond, you’ll be charged a percentage of the total bond amount as an annual fee. This is known as the surety bond cost or bond premium. So, if you require a bond of $50,000, you’ll need to pay a fraction of this sum every year in order to maintain your bond. For the standard bonding market, the bond cost is usually between 1% and 4% of the total bond amount.
For some types of surety bonds, the same bond amount is required across the country. However, in other cases, the bond amount is set by local or state authorities and might even vary from case to case.
The exact amount your Louisiana surety bond costs will depend largely on your credit score, as well as your personal and business financials. Your surety will take a look at your credit score, business stats and professional experience to assess the risk involved in bonding you. If your finances are stable and you have a good credit score, you can expect to pay a lower bond premium.
Can I Get a Louisiana Surety Bond with Bad Credit?
If you have a bad credit score, purchasing a surety bond can be more difficult and more expensive. At Lance Surety Bonds, we have bonded thousands of applicants over the years. We know how challenging it can be to get the Louisiana surety bond that you need if you have bad credit. That’s why we offer our Bad Credit Program.
The program is designed for applicants with a low credit score, liens, past bankruptcies, or civil judgments against them. Professionals purchasing bonds through our bad credit program can expect to pay bond premiums in the range of 5% - 15%. This higher price is there to mitigate the increased risk of bonding an individual or company with an unstable financial history.
Our program is a great opportunity to get reliable bonding options at competitive rates, whatever your financial situation. Since we’ve forged close relationships with a number of A-rated, T-listed surety companies, we can look for the best bond, and the best price, for your circumstances.
Which Louisiana Surety Bond Do I Need?
Government and federal agencies in the state of Louisiana require surety bonds for a range of roles and professions. You’ll need to ensure you purchase the correct bond if you’re going to successfully fulfill your licensing or court surety bond requirements.
The easiest way to find out which surety bond you need is to contact the body that has requested you get bonded. This body is known as the obligee. For example, if you’re a mortgage broker, this may be a real estate governing body. Or, if you’re a notary or require a money transmitter bond, it may be a legal or financial institution or a government agency.
Your obligee will be able to tell you what type of bond you need. They will also be able to inform you what the bond amount needs to be in order to meet licensing requirements. Once you have this information, you can fill in our online application forms for a free quote or get in touch with a member of our expert team to find out more about your bond needs.
How Do I Get Bonded in Louisiana?
The bonding process in Louisiana is quick and easy. To find out how much your bond will cost, and to get the process started, you can apply online for a free, no-obligation bond quote.
For a more accurate idea of your bond cost, complete a full Louisiana surety bond application. You’ll need to supply a few professional and financial details, including your credit score and history as a business owner. You’ll then receive a full breakdown of your bond premium cost.
If you have a question about the bonding process or your surety bond application, we’re here to help. Just call us at (877) 514-5146.
For a complete overview of how bonding works, make sure to check out our How to Get Bonded page.
Find Your Louisiana Surety Bond
Freight Broker Bond (BMC-84) | N/A | FMCSA | Apply Now |
General license & permit bond (not listed) | N/A | N/A | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (Local) Bond | (Parish of Ascension, LA) Billboard Installation B | Parish of Ascension | Apply Now |
Contractor License Performance & Payment (State) Bond | Contractor/Sub-Contractor | Secretary, Dept of Revenue | Apply Now |
Excess Weight, Other Highway & Street Permit Bond | Highway Permit Bond | LA Dept of Transportation Oversize | Apply Now |
Debt Consolidators Bond | Credit Repair Services | Louisiana Attorney General | Apply Now |
Insurance Adjusters Bond | Public Adjusters | Department of Insurance | Apply Now |
Insurance 3rd Party Administrator Bond | Insurance 3rd Party Administrator Bond | Louisiana Department of Insurance | Apply Now |
Mortgage Broker (1st & 2nd Mortgages) Bond | Residential Mortgage Originator | Office of Financial Institutions | Apply Now |
Mortgage Broker (1st & 2nd Mortgages) Bond | Residential Mortgage Originator | Office of Financial Institute | Apply Now |
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond | Residential Mortgage Lender Surety | Office of Financial Institutions | Apply Now |
Mortgage Lender/Banker (1st & 2nd Mort.) Bond | RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LENDER SURETY | Office of Financial Institutions | Apply Now |
Small Loan Companies Bond | Pawnbroker Bond | Office of Financial Institutions | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond | Motor Vehicle Dealer | Recreational and Used Motor Vehicle Commission | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (New & Used) Bond | New Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond | Lousiana Motor Vehicle Commission | Apply Now |
Auto & Mobile Home Dealers (Used Only, No New) Bond | Motor Vehicle Dealer | Recreational and Used Motor Vehicle Commission | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | Auto Title | Department of Public Safety | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | Department of Public Safety & Corrections Office o | LA Dept of Public Safety and Corrections | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | Offical Motor Vehicle Inspection Station Bond | LA Dept of Public Safety and | Apply Now |
Motor Vehicle (Non-Dealer, Not Listed) Bond | Recreational Products Dealer Bond | Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission | Apply Now |
Sport Permits Bond | State Boxing & Wrestling Commission | LOUISIANA STATE BOXING & | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Pawnbroker Surety | Office of Financial Institutions | Apply Now |
Professional Licenses (All Other) Bond | Intrastate Telecommunications Service Provider Bon | Louisiana Public Service Commission | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Blanket Bond for Solicitors (School) | State of Louisiana Board of Regents | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Proprietary School Certificate of Registration Bon | State of Louisiana Board of Regents | Apply Now |
Schools (All) Bond | Privately Owned Driving School Bond | Office of Motor Vehicles | Apply Now |
Cigar/Cigarette & Tobacco Tax Bond | Tobacco Tax Bond | Department of Revenue | Apply Now |
Fuel Tax (All Others, Sellers & Users) Bond | Motor Fuels Tax Surety Bond | Louisiana Department of Revenue | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Utility Payment Bond | Claireborne Electric | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | In Lieu of Cash Deposit Bond | SWEPCO | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Electric and or Gas Service Bond (Entergy Gulf Sta | Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, LLC | Apply Now |
Utility Deposit Bond | Utility Payment Bond (CLECO) | Cleco Louisiana | Apply Now |
Financial Guarantee (All Other) Bond | Waste Tire Transporter Financial Guarantee Bond | Department of Enviromental | Apply Now |
Money Transmitter Bond | SALE OF CHECKS/MONEY TRANSMISSION SURETY | Office of Financial Institutions | Apply Now |
Telemarketing/Phone Solicitor Bond | Professional Solicitor | Louisiana Dept of Justice | Apply Now |
Appraisal Management | Appraisal Management Company Bond | REAB | Apply Now |
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