✉ admin@brawnerinsurance.com 📱 Kirksville: 660-665-1687 📱 Kahoka: 660-754-1000
Surety Bonds  ·  MO  ·  IA  ·  KS  ·  IL

Win the Contract. Guarantee the Performance.

Surety bonds guarantee that your business will fulfill its contractual obligations. Whether you need a bid bond, performance bond, or license bond — we help contractors and businesses get bonded quickly and competitively.

★★★★★5.0 Rating
|
50+ Carriers
|
MO, KS, IA, IL
|
90+ Reviews
Independent AgencyWe shop multiple carriers
Contract & CommercialBid, performance & license bonds
1–3% PremiumOf the total bond amount
Local SupportTwo Missouri offices
Why It Matters

No Bond, No Bid — No Business

Surety bonds are required for most public construction contracts and many private projects. Without bonding, you can't bid on government jobs, meet licensing requirements, or satisfy client contracts that require a performance guarantee. A surety bond is a three-party agreement that guarantees your business will fulfill its obligations — protecting the project owner and giving them confidence to hire you.

Unlike insurance, a surety bond doesn't pool risk — it places the ultimate responsibility on you, the contractor. The surety company guarantees your performance to the project owner. If you default, the surety steps in to complete the work or compensate the owner, then seeks repayment from you. That's why sureties evaluate your financials, credit, and track record before issuing a bond.

Construction project requiring surety bonds
$150K+federal contracts require surety bonds (Miller Act)
1–3%typical bond premium based on contract value
Requiredfor most public construction and many private projects

Whether you're a new contractor getting your first bond or an established builder needing higher bonding capacity, we help Midwest businesses get bonded quickly — with competitive rates from trusted surety companies.

Get a Surety Bond Quote →

Need a surety bond to bid or get licensed?

Most public contracts and many state licenses require surety bonds. Let us get you bonded quickly so you can win the work and grow your business.

Get a Free Quote →

660-665-1687  ·  660-754-1000

Bond Types

Surety Bonds Through Brawner

Surety bonds come in many forms — each designed for a different obligation. Here are the most common types we help businesses obtain.

Bid Bonds

Guarantees that if you're awarded a contract, you'll sign it and provide the required performance and payment bonds. Required on most public construction bids. Typically free or under $100.

Performance Bonds

Guarantees that you'll complete the construction project according to the contract terms. If you default, the surety will complete the work, hire a replacement, or compensate the project owner.

Payment Bonds

Guarantees that you'll pay all subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers for work completed on the project. Protects the project owner from liens filed by unpaid parties.

License & Permit Bonds

Required by federal, state, or local governments as a condition for obtaining a business license or permit. Common for contractors, auto dealers, mortgage brokers, and many other professions.

Maintenance & Warranty Bonds

Guarantees that the contractor will repair any material or workmanship defects discovered after project completion — typically covering a 12 to 24-month warranty period.

Commercial Surety Bonds

A broad category covering court bonds, fiduciary bonds, utility bonds, fuel tax bonds, and other non-construction obligations required by law or contract for various business operations.

Subdivision & Site Improvement

Required by municipalities to guarantee completion of subdivision improvements — streets, utilities, sidewalks, and drainage — before plat approval or building permits are issued.

Supply Bonds

Guarantees that a supplier will deliver materials, equipment, and supplies as defined in purchase orders and contracts — protecting the buyer from non-delivery or defective materials.

Every Project Is Different

Let's get your business bonded.

We assess your financials, credit, and project needs to find the right surety bond at the best rate.

Talk to an Agent →
Who Needs It

Businesses That Need Surety Bonds

Surety bonds are required across many industries — from construction to professional licensing. Here are the businesses we help get bonded most often.

General Contractors

Bid, performance, and payment bonds are required for public construction projects over $150K (federal) and at most state/local levels. Bonding capacity directly determines which projects you can bid on.

Subcontractors & Trades

Plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, and other tradespeople often need contractor license bonds from their state and may need performance bonds for larger projects.

Auto Dealers

Motor vehicle dealer bonds are required in all 50 states before you can get your auto dealer license. Bond amounts vary by state — we help dealers across MO, IA, KS, and IL get bonded fast.

Mortgage & Finance

Mortgage brokers, loan originators, and financial services companies need surety bonds to comply with state licensing requirements and federal regulations like the NMLS.

Notaries & Court Officers

Notary public bonds and court fiduciary bonds are required by state law. We help notaries, administrators, executors, and guardians get the bonds they need quickly and affordably.

Land Developers

Subdivision bonds and site improvement bonds are required by municipalities before plat approval. We help developers get the bonds needed to begin construction on new developments.

Need a bond to bid, build, or get licensed? We can help.

Whether you're a new contractor getting your first bond or an established builder increasing capacity, we make the bonding process simple and competitive.

Get a Free Quote →

660-665-1687  ·  660-754-1000

Simple Process

How to Get a Surety Bond

Getting bonded through Brawner is straightforward. Here's how it works.

01

Tell Us What You Need

Share details about the bond type you need — bid, performance, payment, license, or other — along with the contract value, project details, and your business financials. We'll assess your bonding capacity.

02

We Shop Surety Markets

As an independent agency, we work with multiple surety companies to find the best rate and highest bonding capacity for your business. We also have programs for new contractors and SBA-backed bonds.

03

Get Bonded & Win the Work

Once approved, we issue your bond quickly — often the same day for license bonds and within days for contract bonds. We help you grow your bonding capacity as your business and track record develop.

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Have questions about surety bonds?

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Client Reviews

Trusted by Contractors & Businesses Across
Missouri, Iowa, Kansas & Illinois

See why contractors and business owners trust Brawner Insurance for their bonding and insurance needs.

★★★★★
5.0
Based on 90+ Google Reviews
Daniel Goodman
★★★★★

"If you're shopping for peace of mind with insurance contact Caitlin Howe at Brawner. Not to mention correctly written policies, surprisingly good rates and excellent customer service."

Alyssa Baker
★★★★★

"Caitlin Howe at Brawner Insurance was very helpful, and made sure everything was done perfectly. She made the process stress and worry free. Best insurance agent hands down I have worked with."

Corey S
★★★★★

"Brawner recently quoted our district insurance. Jacob was professional and easy to work with. The Board of Directors chose VFIS through Brawner for the best and cost efficient coverage."

View All Reviews on Google →
Common Questions

Surety Bonds FAQ

What's the difference between a surety bond and insurance?

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Insurance pools risk — the insurer pays claims and the cost is spread across policyholders. A surety bond is a three-party guarantee — the surety guarantees your performance to the project owner, but if you default, the surety pays the claim and then seeks full repayment from you. You are ultimately responsible for any bond claim, unlike insurance where the insurer absorbs the loss.

How much does a surety bond cost?

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Surety bond premiums typically range from 1% to 3% of the total bond amount for qualified applicants. A $100,000 bond usually costs between $1,000 and $3,000. Bid bonds are often free or under $100. Your rate depends on your credit score, financial statements, industry experience, and the size of the bond. Contractors with strong credit and financials qualify for the lowest rates.

What do I need to qualify for a surety bond?

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Sureties evaluate your personal credit score (700+ preferred for standard rates), business financial statements (CPA-prepared for larger bonds), working capital and net worth, industry experience and track record, and current work-in-progress. New contractors with limited history may qualify through SBA-backed bond programs or credit-based programs for smaller bonds.

What is bonding capacity?

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Bonding capacity is the total dollar amount of bonds a surety company will approve for your business. Your "single limit" is the largest bond you can get for one project, and your "aggregate limit" is the total amount of bonded work you can have active at once. Capacity is based on your financials, experience, and the surety's assessment of your ability to complete the work.

Are surety bonds required for all construction projects?

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Federal construction contracts over $150,000 require performance and payment bonds under the Miller Act. Most state and local governments have similar requirements at varying thresholds. Private projects don't legally require bonds, but many private owners and lenders choose to require them to manage risk. Having bonding capacity gives you access to more projects and larger contracts.

Can I get bonded with bad credit?

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Yes, but rates will be higher. Standard surety programs prefer a 700+ credit score. Contractors with lower credit may qualify through specialty surety markets at higher premiums — typically 3% to 5% or more. The SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program also helps small businesses that have difficulty obtaining bonds through traditional channels. We work with multiple surety markets to find options for every situation.

Your bond is your business card. Let us get you bonded.

Don't lose a project because you can't get bonded. Let us find the right surety bond at the best rate — so you can bid with confidence and win the work.

Get a Free Surety Bond Quote →

660-665-1687  ·  660-754-1000

Visit Us

Our Office Locations

Kirksville, MO

2605 N. Baltimore St., Kirksville, MO 63501

660-665-1687

View Location →

Kahoka, MO

465 S. Johnson St., Kahoka, MO 63445

660-754-1000

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