Important Supporting Lines
Suretyship
Three Parties
Principal
The party whose obligation is guaranteed
Obligee
The beneficiary under the terms of the surety bond
Surety
The guarantor, who guarantees fulfillment of the principal’s obligation
Bond
The surety’s guarantee is expressed as a bond.
A legally enforceable promise by a surety to an obligee that the principal of the bond will carry out a specific obligation or else the surety will assume the principal’s obligation to the obligee.
Differences between Suretyship and Insurance
Insurance
Suretyship
Miscellaneous Bonds
- Purpose is to guarantee compliances with obligations imposed upon principals by law.
Sub Categories
License and Permit Bonds
Guarantee obligations imposed by consumer protection acts and regulations
Customs and Excise Bonds
Satisfy compliance with respect to federal and provincial tax acts and regulations
Court and Fiduciary Bonds
Are required by the judiciary as security for court release, to release liens, and to comply with probate and bankruptcy laws.
Lost Document Bonds
Are required by corporations that are asked to reissue securities, certificates, or other valuable documents and want some security in case the originals should be presented for payment later.
Financial Guarantee Bonds
Include any type of bond that specifically guarantees repayment of a loan, payment of rent, or other similar commitment.
Suretyship and the Construction Industry
Includes
Bid Bonds
Guarantees the quoted contract price to project owner.
Performance Bonds
Follows the awardance of the contract.
Protects project owner up to the amount of the bond should the contractor be unable to complete the project and be in default of the construction contract.
Presents the greatest risk - underwriter commits the insurer (the surety) to pay damages to complete the project if the contractor fails to perform its obligations.
Maintenance Bond
Contract may include maintenance period of 12 months, where the contractor must correct and deficiencies that is not discovered until the certificate of acceptance has been issued. Maintenance bond may be used if this exceeds 12 months.
Labour and Material Payment Bond
Guarantees that the suppliers of the materials and labour to a construction project will be paid.
Bonding in Quebec
Quebec contractors must provide a bond to the government in addition to other types of bonds.
Underwriting Surety Bonds
Objective: Determine that the principal has adequate working capital for its projects and the ability to recover from the principal if the contractor were to default on its obligations.
Builders Risk Insurance
Exposure to risk of loss of damage to buildings in the course of construction.
Applies not only to the structure being erected, but also the materials to be incorporated into the structure.
Coverage for contractors equipments and tools are excluded, and are better insured under another form of insurance such as an equipment floater.
Two Common Forms
- Builders risk broad form