Contract and Commercial surety bonds may be required for individuals, businesses and organizations, whether you are a project manager, general contractor, supplier or manufacturer we will review all your insurance needs and ensure you have the surety and bond in place that is right for you and needed for your contract, project or business.
We take the time to understand you and your business.
The following are the principle and more usual types of bonds utilized in the construction industry.
Fiduciary bonds, also known as commercial surety bonds are one of the most common types of surety bonds in Canada. They serve as a legal instrument, protecting beneficiaries, heirs and creditors when a fiduciary fails to perform honestly or competently. So, what exactly is a fiduciary?
A fiduciary is someone who owes a duty of loyalty to protect the interests of another person or party. So, a fiduciary could be a trustee, an executive, director or administrator, a personal representative, a financial advisor, or any other professional or business exercising control over another person’s property and/or assets.
A court often requires a fiduciary bond for persons or parties that have fiduciary duty or responsibility to another party. In addition, beneficiaries or creditors may request fiduciary bonds because they are concerned about the loyalty or financial status of a fiduciary. (1)
Why Should a Company Get Fiduciary Bonds?
Fiduciary Liability Insurance protects organizations and the fiduciaries of their benefit and pension plans from any legal liability that arises from their management of those plans.
For example, if employees or retirees suffer from bad fiscal management or oversight, governmental regulators can step in and take action against the individuals or organizations who let it happen under their supervision.
In addition to pension plans and trust funds, executives have other funds under their fiduciary duty. These funds could include profit sharing plans, employee stock ownership plans, and health plans.
Many fiduciaries don’t realise the extent of their liability exposure. A common misconception among directors and officers is that their decisions about these plans and other funds are covered by the organization’s D&O policy. However, in most cases, D&O policies exclude fiduciary liability exposures.
Bonds
Commercial surety bonds are critical to the operations of many commercial companies. Industries requiring these types of bonds include but are not limited to: financial institutions, law firms, healthcare, manufacturing, public utilities, retailers, service contractors, technology, telecommunications and transportation.
For a consumer, this means that commercial surety bonds protect against fraud, misrepresentation, and compensation of monetary loss. Commercial surety bonds can be used to guarantee performance of non-construction related contractual obligations.
Fiduciary bonds comply with probate and bankruptcy in trustee needs. They are often handled by lawyers whose clients are required to file security to comply with the courts in a fiduciary capacity. These bonds guarantee compliance with the requirements of law for faithful performance of duties.
Coverage highlights:
We have several markets for any type and class of bonds, which are Insurance Companies of Canada’s A.M. Best rating of "A++ Superior”
We can offer Canadian bonds as well as Cross Border bonding, such as Customs and Excise bonds as well as multiple other categories
Source: Southwestern Insurance and
A bid bond guarantees that the Principal (the bidder), if awarded the contract within the time stipulated, will enter into a formal contact with the Obligee and furnish the prescribed Performance and Payment Bond(s). Default will ordinarily result in liability for the difference between the amount of the Principal's bid and that of the next lower bidder who can qualify for the contract, subject to the Bid Bond penalty.
This is a letter or an undertaking signed by a Surety Company under which the Surety agrees to furnish a Performance Bond and, if required, a Labour and Material Payment and/or Maintenance Bond on behalf of the bidder, if his tender is accepted.
A Performance Bond guarantees the Principal's obligation to faithfully perform the terms and conditions of the written contract documents, including any maintenance obligation.
In certain circumstances, the Performance Bond extends to the Principal's obligation to design and build the project. Such bonds are referred to as Design/Build Performance Bonds.
A Labour and Material Payment Bond Standard Form guarantees the Principal's obligation to pay for labour and material used in the prosecution of the work supplied by those having a direct contract with the Principal.
In certain circumstances the Labour and Material Payment Bond extends to those suppliers of labour and material not having a direct contract with the Principal. This extension is the Broad Form.
A Supply Contract Bond guarantees the Principal's obligation to perform the contract. These guidelines apply to the furnishing but not installation of supplies of all kinds. Where installation or erection is part of the contract, the bond is classified as a Construction Contract.
A Maintenance Bond guarantees the Principal's obligation to remedy "defective workmanship or materials". However, Maintenance Bonds sometime incorporate an obligation guaranteeing "efficient or successful operation" or other obligations of like intent and purpose.
A Completion Bond, unlike a Performance Bond, guarantees, in addition to the performance obligation, the successful financing of a construction project. Such a bond is given, either directly or by assignment:
An advance payment is a payment made to the contractor by the owner prior to being earned. Such advance payments maybe made in a single lump sum prior to commencement of the work or in a series of payments as work progresses.
This instrument guarantees the Principal's obligation to indemnify the Obligee against any loss or damage as a result of any liens arising out of said contract, in a situation where the Obligee has released monies retained by them in accordance with the terms of the contract.
Visit our section on Construction Insurance for more information.
Call us to discuss your business and we can determine the best risk management package for you. We will get you the protection you need at a competitive rate. To learn more or get a free quote contact us 905-696-9090 or Toll Free 1-800-900-2009 or better@hubbardinsurance.com.
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