What is a Car Dealer Surety Bond?

A car dealer surety bond is a surety insurance product which most often protects a consumer from harm caused by the car dealer’s failure to follow the rules and regulations which govern the auto dealer industry.  However, the actual obligation will vary by state and car dealer bond form.  These bonds are most often required on the state level prior to an individual or company obtaining the car dealer license.  In some states, the bond required must match the license type of the automotive dealer such as Florida which requires a $25,000 surety bond depending on the license type which can be wholesale dealerships, new auto dealers, and used car lots.

View our Auto Dealer Bond page for more information on bond costs and requirements for your state.

How much does a Car Dealer Surety Bond cost?

The cost of a car dealer bond will vary depending on several factors including, but not limited to: the personal credit score of the owners, prior surety bond claims, and related experience.  Owners of a motor vehicle dealership with excellent credit can expect to pay 1% of the surety bond amount needed.  Individuals seeking a bad credit motor vehicle dealer bond can expect to pay anywhere between 9% of the bond.  In rare instances where serious credit issues are indicated on the personal credit report, applicants may be required to pay more.  Additionally, these bonds can be purchased for two and three year terms which reduces the bond cost by 20% per year.

The easiest way to determine your dealer bond cost is to apply online.

Which states require a Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond?

There are many states which require a motor vehicle dealer surety bond in order to obtain a dealership license.  Our most popular states for car dealer bonds are:

Florida, Georgia, Washington, and Alabama

However, there are many more states which require surety bonds for car dealers.  You can find the specific bond needed for your license by visiting our Surety Bonds by State page.

How do I apply for a Car Dealer Bond?

First, click anywhere you see “Apply Now” or “Apply Online”.  This will take you to our online surety bond application.  Second, insert the basic information about your car dealership and its owners.  Third, submit your application and receive your surety bond quote in minutes.

How long will take to receive my car dealer surety bond?

You can receive a copy of your bond via email immediately after we receive payment for your bond.  The bond will then be mailed to your address by the method of your choosing.  Need your bond tomorrow?  Select the overnight shipping option and have it by the next business day!

What is a Florida Surety Bond?

A Florida surety bond is a surety bond which is specific to the State of Florida or other municipalities within the state.  Florida surety bonds are a form of insurance which benefit the obligee who, in most cases, is a state department or another municipality like a county or city.  However, other surety bond beneficiaries can be the owner of a private construction project, a general contractor who subcontracts a portion of a construction project, or an individual or business in a court related matter.

What Florida Surety Bond Types are there?

There are many surety bonds required by Florida for various state and county licenses, construction projects, and court-related requirements.  Examples of these bonds include contractor license bonds, motor vehicle dealer bonds, performance and payment bonds, and injunction bonds.  You can find a listing of the most common Florida surety bonds by visiting the Florida Surety Bonds section of our website.

How do I apply for a Florida Surety Bond?

Applying for a Florida surety bond is very easy.  First you’ll need to complete our online bond application.  All we need is some basic information about your business and we can approve your bond in minutes.

What happens after my Florida Surety Bond is approved?

Once your bond is approved, you’ll have the option of moving forward with or declining the surety bond quote you’ve received.  No further action is needed should you decline the quote.  If you are ready to purchase the bond, you will receive an invoice and, in most cases, an indemnity agreement specific to the surety company who has approved your bond.  Your Florida surety bond will be issued once the invoice has been paid and signed agreement has been received.

How is my Florida Surety Bond premium determined?

Your surety bond premium will most likely be determined by the credit score of the business owners, length of time in business, and overall risk of your bond type.  Some bond forms are riskier than others and may demand a higher premium.  Additionally, performance and payment bonds will require additional underwriting information such as corporate and personal financial statements.

Other Important Florida Surety Bond Links

Surety Bond Application
Florida Surety Bonds
Surety Bond Learning Center

How do I apply for a Florida Surety Bond?

1. Complete our online Florida Surety Bond application, or
2. Download and complete our printable Florida Surety Bond application, and
3. Receive your surety bond quote in minutes!

Apply now

How to get an Arizona Car Dealer License

An Arizona Car Dealer License is required by the Arizona Department of Transportation for companies and individuals who sell or offer for sale a certain number of vehicles in a given year.  The number of vehicles required to trigger the need for an Arizona Dealer License depends on the whether cars offered for sale are new or used, are being sold wholesale or retail, and other factors which will be outlined below.  Too busy to apply for your license?  Call us to discuss how we can assist with your application.

Need help getting your car dealer license in Arizona?

Visit thelicensecompany.com to learn more about how they can help you get licensed. Their license application processing service is $199 and will help you get licensed faster and easier than going it alone.

Which Arizona Car Dealer License do you need?

The answer depends on what types of vehicles you selling and how you sell them.  The following are the different Arizona Car Dealer License types and how to qualify for them:

• AZ New Motor Vehicle Dealer – This is your license type if you only sell new and used vehicles. You must sell more than 4 vehicles per year.
• AZ Used Motor Vehicle Dealer – You’ll need this license if you plan to sell more than 4 used cars per year. You cannot sell new cars with this license type.
• AZ Wholesale Motor Vehicle Dealer – This license is reserved for those businesses who sell vehicles to other auto dealers on a wholesale basis.
• AZ Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auction Dealer – This license is needed if you sell vehicles by auction on a wholesale basis to other auto dealers.
• AZ Automotive Recycler – If you plan to dismantle six or more cars per year and sell the remaining parts of those vehicles, you will need this license.
• AZ Public Consignment Auction Dealer – This license is similar to the AZ Wholesale Motor Vehicle Dealer License except it is need if you’re auctioning vehicles to the public only. You cannot auction vehicles to other motor vehicle dealers on a wholesale basis.
• AZ Vehicle Broker – This license type is needed when you are collecting a fee for buying or selling motor vehicles for another person or business. Additionally, you must not be engaged in any of the other practices listed above.

You may also visit the Arizona Department of Transportation’s website for expanded definitions of each license type.

Do I need an Arizona Car Dealer Surety Bond?

Yes.  You must submit an AZ Car Dealer Bond with your state application in order to obtain your car dealer license.  The surety bond amount ranges from $20,000 to $100,000 depending on your license type.  Please visit our Arizona Car Dealer Surety Bond page to learn more about the surety bonds, their cost, and how to obtain it.

You will want to consider applying for your surety bond now to determine your exact cost.  You can apply for your dealer bond using our online surety bond application.

What about fingerprinting and background checks?

The Arizona Revised Statutes 28-4361 requires that all motor vehicle dealer applications must be accompanied by a fingerprint card which can be obtained from your local law enforcement agency.  Click on AZ Fingerprinting Locations for a listing of fingerprinting locations in your area. The purpose of the fingerprint requirement is so the state can perform a criminal background check prior to license approval.

What do I need to submit to get my Arizona Car Dealer License?

The following is a helpful checklist of what you’ll need to submit:

• Completed state application
• Completed surety bond
• Fingerprint Card
• A written notice of authorization from the car manufacturer or distributor – New Vehicle Dealers only
• Photos of your business signage, the entire lot, all four sides of your building, address and hours of operation, records storage and office areas,
• Photos of your enclosed salvage yard – Auto Recyclers only
• Photos of signage stating there is no implied warranty and emissions being the responsibility of the purchaser – Public Consignment Auction Dealers only

You can find a listing of commonly used forms including the state application here.

What are the Arizona Car Dealer License Fees?

As with most state licenses, you should expect to pay fees directly to the state for processing your application and issuing a license.  The up-front fees include a $15 filing fee payable the AZ Motor Vehicle Division and a $22 criminal records fee payable to AZ Department of Public Safety.  Additionally, there is a $100 fee for issuing your license once it has been approved.  This fee is also payable to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division.

Arizona Car Dealer Contact Information

AZ Motor Vehicle Division
Dealer Licensing
PO Box 2100
MD 552M
Phoenix, AZ 85001
Email: mvdlu@azdot.gov
Telephone: 602-712-7571

AZ Department of Public Safety
PO Box 668
Phoenix, AZ 85005
Telephone: 602-223-2000

Learn more about surety bonds!

What are the Arizona Contractor License Requirements?

In order to obtain your AZ Contractor license, you’ll need to do the following:

• Complete the state application
• Complete and pass the Arizona Trade and Business Management Exams
• Obtain a FEIN also known as a Federal Tax ID Number
• Obtain your Arizona Contractor License Bond
• Submit the state application along with the required backup documentation and required fee for your application and license

Important – Please ensure your company name is available before submitting your application to the state by checking its availability with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC).  You must then reserve the name with the ROC, verify its availability with the AZ Corporation Commission, and incorporate your business under the reserved name.

What do I need to submit with my AZ Contractor License Application?

• The AZ Contractor License Application itself
• Proof of workers compensation insurance or affidavit of self-employment
• Your company’s articles of organization, incorporation, or partnership agreement depending on its structure (ex. LLC, Inc., etc.)
• Original AZ Contractor’s License Surety Bond
• Original AZ Trade and Business Management Exam scores
• Experience and project forms
• Printed receipt for background check
• Copy of your photo ID
• All applicable fees for your construction license type

How much does it cost to get an Arizona Contractor License?

There are unfortunately many different fees charged by the Registrar of Contractors for each type of Arizona contractor license.  The first fee is called an application fee and is charged when applying for your license.  The second is called a license fee which is paid once your application is approved.  This fee covers two years of licensure.  The final fee is called a recovery fund assessment.  This fee is paid into The Recovery Fund which is a form of financial protection available to residential homeowners and funded by licensed Arizona contractors.  Currently, the recovery fund assessment fees are only charged to General Residential, Specialty Residential, General Dual, and Specialty Dual license types.  A $200,000 surety bond can be posted instead of paying the assessment fee but it is cost prohibitive as the surety bond cost far outweighs the fee.  A complete list of AZ contractor license fees is below:

General Commercial Contractor

• Application Fee = $200
• License Fee = $580
• Recovery Fund Assessment = $0

Specialty Commercial Contractor

• Application Fee = $100
• License Fee = $480
• Recovery Fund Assessment = $0

General Residential Contractor

• Application Fee = $180
• License Fee = $320
• Recovery Fund Assessment = $370

Specialty Residential Contractor

• Application Fee = $80
• License Fee = $270
• Recovery Fund Assessment = $370

General Dual Contractor (Commercial & Residential)

• Application Fee = $200
• License Fee = $480
• Recovery Fund Assessment = $370

Specialty Dual Contractor

• Application Fee = $100
• License Fee = $380
• Recovery Fund Assessment = $370

Do I need and AZ Contractor License Surety Bond?

Yes, all Arizona contractors need an Arizona License Bond.  The bond amount needed depends on your license type and contemplated gross revenue amount of work for the coming fiscal year.  You can find the exact surety bond amount required along with its cost by visiting our Arizona Contractor License Bond Page.

What are the different Arizona Contractor License Types?

There are eight basic Arizona Contractor License types which are: Engineering Contracting (Commercial), General Commercial Contracting, Residential Contracting, Specialty Residential Contracting, General Dual Engineering Contracting, General Dual Licensing Contracting, Specialty Dual License Contracting, and Specialty Commercial Contracting.  However, each of the previously mentioned license types also have many different classes of licenses such Concrete, Electrical, Asphalt Paving, etc.  You can find a full listing of AZ Contractor License Types by visiting AZ Contractor License Types.

What are the requirements to get a Florida contractors license?

In order to get a Florida contractors license you must:

• Demonstrate financial responsibility;
• Pass all parts of the required Florida State Construction Exam;
• Must be 18 years old;
• Exceed or meet the required education/experience factors;
• Be of good moral character;
• Ensure all applicable fees and costs are paid; and
• Purchase workers compensation insurance.

Only after you have satisfied these requirements will you be able to obtain your construction license.

Need help with getting your construction license?

Most contractors find that getting their license can be frustrating and time consuming.  The License Company LLC makes it easy for you to keep working and get licensed.  They handle the application, provide a handy licensing checklist, and keep you informed along the way.  It’s a great solution for a busy contractor who wants to get their license fast without going back and forth with the state.  You can find more information about how they help get your Florida contractor license here.

Need a contractor license bond?

View our contractor license bond listing to find your bond type.  These bonds vary by state, county, and town in some cases.  You can learn more about surety bonds and what they do by visiting our What is a Surety Bond page.

How do I demonstrate financial responsibility?

A Florida contractor can demonstrate financial responsibility by submitting a credit report along with his or her state contractor application.  If the credit score is less than 660, the applicant must submit a financial stability bond in an amount ranging from $5,000 – $20,000.  The required surety bond amounts are listed below and can be reduced by taking a state approved 14 hour financial responsibility course:

• With proof of completed 14 hour financial responsibility course
  • Division One Applicant – $10,000
  • Division Two Applicant – $5,000
• Without proof of completed 14 hour financial responsibility course
  • Division One Applicant – $20,000
  • Division Two Applicant – $10,000

The surety bond must be kept in place until the contractor’s credit score exceeds 660.  Your Florida contractors license can’t be renewed if your bond expires.

What are Financial Stability Surety Bonds?

Often referred to as the Florida Sub 660 Credit Score Bond, Financial Stability Bonds are required by the State of Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board for division one and two contractors who want to be licensed with the state.  However, these bonds are only required when a contractor has a FICO-derived credit score of less than 660.  These bonds must be kept in place each year the contractor’s credit score remains below 660.  The Financial Stability Surety Bond cost begins at $200 annually for those licensees with credit scores closest to 660.  You can apply online and receive a firm quote in minutes.

How do I schedule my Florida State Construction Exam?

You can apply for your exam by visiting the following link http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/documents/exam_applic_pack.pdf which may print, complete, and schedule your division one or division two contractor’s license exam.  You may also apply for your exam online by visiting http://www.floridaexam.com. You must complete and pass your state exam prior to applying for your actual Florida contractor’s license with the state.  The cost of the exam is as follows:

• Business/Finance Only
  • $135 registration fee payable to Professional Testing, Inc.
  • $80 business/finance computer based test fee
• Business/Finance combined with any other computer based test (trade knowledge)
  • $135 registration fee payable to Professional Testing, Inc.
  • $80 business/finance computer based test fee
  • $80 trade knowledge computer based test fee
• Business/Finance combined with any other paper/pencil based test (trade knowledge – Class B Air, Class A Air, Mechanical, and plumbing. Project Management and Contract Administration)
  • $135 registration fee payable to Professional Testing, Inc.
  • $80 business/finance computer based test fee
  • $80 exam fee payable to the Florida Division of Business and Professional Regulation

Computer based exams are administered year round by Pearson VUE testing centers while pen and paper examinations are administered six times per year.  Applications for pen and paper tests must be received 30 days prior to the examination date.

What are the Florida contractors license education and experience requirements?

• Four year construction related degree and one year proven work experience in your given field
• One year of experience as a Foreman and not less than three years of credits from an accredited college
• One year of experience as a Worker, two years of experience as a Foreman, and no less than two years of credits from an accredited college
• Two years of experience as a Worker, one year of experience as a Foreman, and no less than one year of credits from an accredited college
• Four years of experience as a Foreman or Worker of which one year must have been as a Foreman

A history of your employment is required on the state application to verify your experience.

Where do I find the Florida contractors license application?

The Florida contractors license application can be found at the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation website http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/cilb/apply/main.html.  This will take you to a Florida contractor license type listing.  You must then choose your type of contractor license from the list and “Apply for a New License” on the following screen.

How much does my Florida contractor license cost and how do I ensure all of my fees and costs are paid?

You should expect to pay $215-$295 for the Florida contractors license examination alone.  The contractor license application cost will be:

• $249 if you passed your exam after 12/1/2009 and are applying for your license between May 1^st of an even year up to August 31^st of an odd year (For example, if you applied for your license on June 15^th of 2014, your fee would be $249.
• $149 if you passed your exam after 12/1/2009 and are applying for your license between September 1^st of an odd year up to April 30^th of an even year (For example, if you applied for your license on January 15^th of 2015, your fee would be $149.

You must also be fingerprinted by a Livescan provider (http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/background-screening/livescan-service-providers.html) Fingerprinting should cost about $25 or less.  All-in-all, you should expect to pay about $400 – $575 before the cost of workers compensation insurance and the required bonds if you choose/need to purchase either.  Additionally, this cost does not include exam preparation books.

Should I use a contractors license service to do all of this for me?

The decision to use an outside service to assist you with your Florida contractors license is entirely up to you.  While these services can be helpful, they can also be expensive.  The fees charged by some companies can range from $200-500 on top of your exam and application fees.  Additionally, ensure they give you a full list of fees charged for their services such as the cost of bonding, application submission, etc.   These services can be valuable but it’s important to understand these costs up front.  Make sure you ask about these fees prior to using any licensing company to ensure there are no additional costs outside of their standard services.

Why do I need an FRO or Financially Responsible Officer Bond?

A company will need a Financially Responsible Officer Bond or FRO Surety Bond if you, as the licensee, do not want to be financially responsible for the company in which you’re qualifying with your construction license.  This is most common when a licensed contractor decides to use his/her license to qualify another company which does not have a licensed contractor.  For example:  Let’s say you’re a licensed GC and you own/operate XYZ Contracting, Inc.  A friend approaches you and says, “I’d like to open a company specializing in commercial construction but do not have my license.  The state said I could use your license to qualify my business.”  Let’s also assume that you won’t be involved in the day-to-day operations of the business.  In this example, why would you want to be financially responsible for your friend’s business of which you have no control over?

The solution to the example above is to have your friend be the financially responsible officer of his business.  He can do so by posting a $100,000 FRO Surety Bond payable to the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board.  The Financially Responsible Officer Surety Bond covers the payment of fines and fees pursuant to Rule 61G4-15.01 of the FL Administrative Code.  Additionally, these fees and fines are passed on to your friend as opposed to you the licensee.  You may also visit our How to become a financially responsible officer page for more information.

Pricing for these bonds begins a $1,000 annually and can reach $2,000 annually depending on the FRO’s credit score.  You can apply online and receive a firm quote in minutes by visiting https://dblsuretybonds.com/apply-online/.

What other types of Florida Contractor License Bonds may I need?

The contractor license bonds mentioned above are often required by the state of Florida.  However, a registered contractor may also be required to provide other bonds to cities and municipalities around the state.  These bonds are often referred to as code compliance bonds and can be found by visiting our Florida Construction License Bond page.

How do I apply for a Florida Contractor License Bond?

1. Complete our online Florida Contractor License Bond application, or
2. Download and complete our printable Florida Contractor License Bond application, and
3. Receive your surety bond quote in minutes!

Apply now

How much does a Financially Responsible Officer Surety Bond Cost?

A Financially Responsible Officer Bond costs about $900 annually for well qualified applicants.  This represents a drastic reduction in price from 2014 when the same $100,000 surety bond cost in between $2,000 and $3,000.  DBL Surety has access to the most competitive pricing in the industry and can bond individuals with credit scores down to 550.

Who needs a Financially Responsible Officer Surety Bond?

These surety bonds are required when a licensed Florida contractor decides to use his or her license to qualify another business but does not want to be financially responsible for that business.  For example: Let’s say Joe Contractor uses his contractor license to qualify a friend’s business.  Joe Contractor won’t have much to do with the day-to-day operations and does not want to be financially responsible for fines and fees levied against his friend’s business.  However, the state of Florida requires that someone be financially responsible for the business which means Joe’s friend or another person must declare themselves the financially responsible officer of that business.  This financially responsible person is typically the owner of the business which Joe Contractor is qualifying.

What Financially Responsible Officer Bond amount is required?

The Florida DBPR requires a surety bond amount of $100,000 for each financially responsible officer.  The bond amount was increased from the previous $50,000 requirement in 2007.  All financially responsible officers who obtained the surety bond prior to the increase were grandfathered in at the $50,000 bond amount unless the bond in place was cancelled.

Can I finance my surety bond premium?

Absolutely!  If your Financially Responsible Officer surety bond cost meets or exceeds $1000, you can finance your premium.  The financing process requires a 30% down payment with the remaining premium paid in monthly installments over the following four months.

How long will it take to get my surety bond?

You can have your surety bond within minutes of applying!  All we need from you is a signed application and payment of the surety bond premium.  Once both items have been received your bond will be processed, a copy will be sent to you via email, and the original surety bond will be sent to the address listed on the application.

How do I apply for a Financially Responsible Officer Bond or FRO Bond?

1. Complete our online Financially Responsible Officer Bond or FRO Bond application, or
2. Download and complete our printable Financially Responsible Officer Bond or FRO Bond application, and
3. Receive your surety bond quote in minutes!

Apply now

Who needs to get a Florida Car Dealer License?

A Florida Car Dealer License is required by all individuals or corporations who purchases, offers, or displays for sale more than three motor vehicles in a 12 month period.  This means those individuals or companies who buy and sell three vehicles a year such as salvage yards, used car dealerships, and individuals must obtain a Motor Vehicle Dealer License from the State of Florida to legally do so.

Do I need a Florida Car Dealer Surety Bond to get my license?

Yes.  All motor vehicle dealers fitting the description above need to obtain a $25,000 Florida Car Dealer Bond in order to obtain their license from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.  These surety bonds are relatively easy to obtain and can be applied for by completing our online surety bond application or clicking the “Apply Now” button above.  You may visit our Florida Car Dealer Bond page to find out more information on pricing and other information about the surety bond requirement.

Is there a Florida Car Dealer Application I need to complete?

The State of Florida requires a completed application in order to process your car dealer license.  The state application can be found by clicking the following link: State of Florida Motor Vehicle Dealer Application.  The application is very easy to complete and consists of roughly six pages.  You will need to provide basic information about the company, its owners, and its products.  This information consists of name, address, and the type of dealership.

What are the different Florida Car Dealer License types?

• Type VI – Independent car dealers specializing in used motor vehicles.
• Type VF – Franchise car dealers specializing in new cars from a given manufacturer(s).
• Type SF – Service facilities who provide service to vehicles but do not sell them.
• Type VW – Wholesale car dealers who buy and sell cars at the wholesale level.
• Type VA – Car dealers who buy and sell vehicles at auction only (no retail sales).
• Type SD – Salvage car dealers who deal in salvage or wrecked motor vehicles.

What fees are associated with the Florida Car Dealer License?

$300* non-refundable application fee due to the State of Florida.

*Please note these fees are charged by and payable to the State of Florida, not DBL Surety.

What do I need to obtain my Florida Car Dealer License?

• A completed Motor Vehicle Dealer License application;
• A $25,000 Car Dealer Bond;
• Proof of lot location ownership or copy of lease;
• Copy of car dealer pre-licensing training certificate;
• Copy of Florida business registration;
• Copy of articles of organization, incorporation, or partnership agreement;
• FEIN number;
• Fingerprints;
• Sales tax number; and
• Insurance
  • License Types VA, VW, SD, and VI – Garage Liability Insurance of $25,000 with $10,000 in personal injury protection or;
  • License Type VF – General Liability Insurance of $25,000 with business auto coverage and $10,000 in personal injury protection.

How do I contact Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles?

Contacting the FLHSMV can be done by email, phone, or fax.  You’ll need to determine which region your dealership will be in prior to reaching out to them.  Please click on the link below to find the name, address, and phone number of your FLHSMV contact.

FL Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Regional Contact Information

Who needs to register as a Florida Seller of Travel Agent?

The State of Florida requires anyone, including resident and nonresident businesses and individuals, who offers travel-related services, directly or indirectly, to register as a Florida Seller of Travel.  More simply, if you are an individual or company selling travel related services in Florida, regardless of the location of your business, you must register as a Florida Seller of Travel.  For example: If your business location is in Virginia and you’re selling vacations to Walt Disney World, you must register with the state.  Please call the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA should you need further clarification.

Other states which require travel agency bonds

Click on one of the following to learn more about how to get licensed and bonded with ARC or another state.

• Airlines Reporting Corporation
• California
• Iowa
• Washington

Is Florida the only state which requires a travel agent to register?

No, many states require travel agents to register with them prior to selling travel in their states.  Many states such as California, Iowa, and Washington also require travel agent surety bonds to protect the consumer.  Learn more about Travel Agency Bonds.

Florida Seller of Travel Agent Security Requirements

The State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services requires a security in the form of a Florida Seller of Travel Bond.  The amount of the surety bond will vary depending on the amount of revenue your company generated in the previous year or the type of travel being sold.  The Florida Seller of Travel Bond amount ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 and the amount is automatically set at $50,000 if your travel agency is selling vacation certificates.  A vacation certificate is defined by the Florida Office of the Attorney General as, “an arrangement whereby you pay in advance for the use of travel accommodations or facilities at some later date, and no specific dates for traveling or use of the accommodations or facilities are designated.”  You may apply for the Florida Seller of Travel Bond by completing our online surety bond application.  Please note that you do not need to apply to the state prior to obtaining a surety bond quote.  In fact, the state will deny your application if you fail to provide the original surety bond required for approval.

Complete the Florida Seller of Travel Agent Application

The Florida Seller of Travel Application can be found on the state website or clicking on the following link: Florida Seller of Travel Application.  The application is somewhat short and requires information about the business, its owners, and its operations.  All applications must then be sent to:

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Sellers of Travel Program

PO Box 6700

Tallahassee, FL 32399-6700

What fees are associated with the Florida Seller of Travel application?

• Not offering vacation certificates – $300 non-refundable application fee* must be delivered to the State of Florida
• Offering vacation certificates – $300 non-refundable application fee* plus $100 document submission fee* must be delivered directly to the State of Florida

*Please note these fees are charged by the state and not by DBL Surety.

What else do I need to submit to the State of Florida to obtain my Seller of Travel License?

• Not offering vacation certificates
  • $300 non-refundable application fee;
  • Florida Seller of Travel Surety Bond not to exceed $25,000; and
  • Completed state application.
• Offering vacation certificates
  • $300 non-refundable application fee;
  • $100 document submission fee;
  • Florida Seller of Travel Bond in the amount of $50,000;
  • Completed state application; and
  • The vacation certificate documentation required by ss. 559.9295 and 559.932, Florida Statutes.

DBL Surety offers the Florida Seller of Travel Surety Bond only and does not complete the application or offer other related licensing services.  The State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer services may require additional documentation in some instances.  All registration related questions other than information related to the required surety bond should be directed the state.

What are Non-Standard and Standard Surety Bonds?

The standard surety bond market most often suits clients with good to excellent credit and previous business experience.  The nonstandard surety bond market is generally reserved for those individuals or businesses with credit or experience which does not qualify them for the standard surety bond market.

What credit/experience qualifies me for the Standard Surety Bond market?

An individual or business can generally qualify for the standard surety bond market with three years previous business experience and a good to excellent credit score.  However, these factors can often be overcome depending on the quality of a company’s financial statement or sufficient personal net worth.  DBL Surety’s goal is to always place our clients within the standard surety bond marketplace when possible.

Are there different rates associated with the Standard and Non-Standard Surety Bond markets?

Yes.  The standard surety bond market typically charges a rate between 1-3% of the total bond amount needed.  The exact rate charged depends on a variety of factors such as the length of time the business has been in operation, personal credit score(s), risk to the surety company, type of bond, etc.

The nonstandard surety bond market can charge rates up to 15% of the total bond amount needed.  Again, the exact rate charged depends on a variety of factors such as the length of time the business has been in operation, personal credit score(s), risk to the surety company, type of bond, etc.

Which surety bond market is right for you or your business?

The best way to determine which surety bond market is right for you or your business is to fill out are simple, one page application.  We offer no obligation quotes and, in many cases, have the authority to issue bonds immediately.  As mentioned above, DBL Surety strives to find the lowest rates for our clients regardless of whether they fall into the standard surety bond market or the nonstandard surety bond market.  However, we understand that individuals and businesses alike can fall on hard times and the nonstandard surety bond market may be the only choice.  Rest assured that all surety bond markets we work with are certified by the United States Treasury Department.

What is Surety Bond Premium Financing?

Surety Bond Premium Financing is a way for our clients to finance their surety bond premiums.  This means that instead of paying the entire surety bond premium up front, clients of DBL Surety can now pay their premium over time.  We understand that large premium amounts can significantly impact cash flows for our clients and their businesses.  This is why DBL Surety has partnered with a premium finance company and is proud to offer our clients a product that fulfills their needs.

Who Qualifies for and how does Surety Bond Premium Financing work?

Surety Bond Premium Financing is available to all of our clients whose surety bond premiums are equal to or greater than $1,500 (some exclusions apply).  Here’s how it works:

• First, a premium finance agreement will be sent to the client for their signature;
• The agreement outlines the amount financed, terms of the agreement, taxes, fees, and the amount of annual interest due;
• Next, an initial down payment of 30-40% of the total amount financed is charged by the premium finance company prior to issuance;
• Once the down payment is made, the premium finance company pays the entire premium amount to DBL Surety on the client’s behalf;
• Finally, the client is responsible for paying the balance owed after the initial down payment amount to the premium finance company over the course of the next four months.

Please note that the premium finance company has the right to refuse, change, or alter any of the terms and conditions outlined above.  Please contact DBL Surety for more information regarding your premium finance agreement.

How do I apply for a Surety Bond Premium Financing?

1. Get approved for your surety bond by filling out our Online Commercial Surety Bond Application by clicking here.

Please note that additional underwriting information may be needed depending on the bond request, information submitted, and to obtain the lowest possible rate.