Surety Bond Professionals is a family-owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your Tennessee surety bond needs.
Required Surety Bonds in Tennessee
Typical Tennessee bonds include (click on any for more info):
| Surety Bond | Obligee | Bond Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Appeal Bonds | Various Courts | Varies | Apply Now |
| Attachment Bonds | Various Courts | Varies | Apply Now |
| Auto Dealer Bonds | Division of Motor Vehicles - Dealer Licensing Bureau | Typically $25,000 - $50,000 | Apply Now |
| Bid Bonds | Project Owner or GC requiring bonds | Varies | Apply Now |
| Construction Bonds | Project Owner or GC requiring bonds | Varies | Apply Now |
| Contractor License Bonds | Various State/Municipal Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Court Bonds | Various Courts | Varies | Apply Now |
| Cryptocurrency Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| DMEPOS Bonds | Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) | $50,000 | Apply Now |
| Encroachment Bonds | Various State Highway Department | Varies | Apply Now |
| ERISA Bonds | Fund Beneficiaries | Often ~ $1,000,000 but may vary | Apply Now |
| Express Script Bonds | Express Scripts (required on a federal level) | $500,000 | Apply Now |
| Fidelity Bonds | Employer | Varies | Apply Now |
| Freight Broker Bonds (BMC-84 Bonds) | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) | $75,000 | Apply Now |
| Health Club Bonds | The State in which the Health Club operates | $50,000 | Apply Now |
| Janitorial/Cleaning Service Bonds | Varies | Varies | Apply Now |
| License & Permit Bonds | Varies | Varies | Apply Now |
| Lost Instrument Bonds | Typically runs to the Transfer Agent | Varies | Apply Now |
| Lottery Bonds | Various Lottery Commissions | Varies | Apply Now |
| Maintenance Bonds | Project Owner or Municipality | Varies | Apply Now |
| Marijuana Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Mechanic's Lien Bonds | Typically the Local/State Registry of Deeds | Varies | Apply Now |
| Money Transmitter Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies by State | Apply Now |
| Mortgage Broker Bonds | Bank Commissioner, Banking Dept. | $50,000 | Apply Now |
| Notary Public Bonds | Various Secretary of States | $500 - $25,000 | Apply Now |
| Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Performance & Payment Bonds | Project Owner or GC requiring bonds | Varies | Apply Now |
| Probate & Fiduciary Bonds | Various Courts | Varies | Apply Now |
| Reclamation Bonds | Various Government Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Solar Decommissioning Bonds | Typically Town/City/State | Varies | Apply Now |
| Subdivision/Site Improvement Bonds | Various Municipal Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Supply Bonds | Project Owner or GC requiring bonds | Varies | Apply Now |
| Title Bonds | Tennessee Department of Revenue | Varies | Apply Now |
| Tobacco Bonds | Various State Entities | Varies | Apply Now |
| Utility Bonds | Utility Company | Varies | Apply Now |
Don’t see the bond you need listed? Get in touch and let our experts help!
Required Surety Bonds in Tennessee
All Tennessee surety bonds can be categorized as one of the following: construction and contractor bonds, license and permit bonds, or court bonds.
Tennessee Construction & Contractor Bonds
Tennessee has its own version of the federal Miller Act, which requires contractors working on federally-funded projects valued above $100,000 to purchase performance and payment bonds. Tennessee’s “Little Miller Act” requires a payment bond for at least 25% of any state-funded project valued at $100,000 or more.
Tennessee License & Permit Bonds
Tennessee requires licensing of more occupations and professions that nearly any other state. Licenses are issued by the regulatory boards and divisions within the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. In many cases, purchasing a license and permit bond is a mandatory step in the licensing process. A license and permit bond ensures that the principal will conduct business in a lawful and ethical manner.
Tennessee Court Bonds
Any court in Tennessee can order someone with business before the court to purchase a surety bond—specifically, an appeal bond or a probate bond. An appeal bond may be required from parties appealing a court decision, particularly if the case involves contested property or a large damages award. A probate bond—sometimes called a fiduciary bond—may be required from parties named to manage another person’s finances, such as an executor of an estate or a custodian for an incapacitated adult.
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Our team of surety bond professionals will gladly help you get any type of Tennessee surety bond you might need at a competitive rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three parties to every surety bond agreement, which is a legally binding contract:
- The “obligee” is the state or local agency requiring the surety bond.
- The “principal” is the party required to purchase the bond.
- The “surety” is the company underwriting and issuing the bond.
- The obligee sets the required amount of the bond, which is the maximum amount that will be paid out on a claim. The obligee also spells out the conduct required of the principal in order to avoid claims against the surety bond.
Any party who suffers a financial loss because the principal has violated the terms of the bond has the right to file a claim against the bond. The principal is solely responsible for paying all valid claims.
However, the surety will often pay a claim and wait to be reimbursed by the principal. This ensures timely settlement of the claim and gives the principal some time to gather the necessary funds.