As a trucking company, depending on your state and the type of trucking business you operate, you may be required to be issued one of a variety of bonds, also known as a “surety” bond. Four of the most common trucking bonds are C.O.D. bonds, motor vehicle registration bonds, U.S. Customs bonds, and freight broker bonds. The following information will give you a basic overview of those types of bonds and when they would be necessary for your operation.
COD Bond
COD bonds are also known as Collect on Delivery bonds. With a COD bond, a surety company will provide the obligee a guarantee that clients, vendors, customers and employees will provide payment for financial damages in the event that a licensed business violates licensing laws. The purpose of these bonds is to allow the trucker to deliver freight and collect the shipers payment for the goods being delivered from the consignee (also known as the receiver).
Here’s how these bonds work. The bond will pay up to the bond amount stipulated on the bond form. The surety company reviews claims from the public to determine the validity of their claim, however, the licensed business owner is still responsible for their actions and must reimburse the bond company for payments made of face license suspension. The bond company also directly receives claims from the public and determines the validity of claims.
Ultimately, the licensed business owners are responsible for their actions and required by law to reimburse the surety company for any payments made under the bond or face indefinite license suspension.
Motor Vehicle Registration Bond
Motor Vehicle Registration bonds, also called service bonds, must be issued by an insurance carrier admitted by your specific state. The insurance company issuing any surety bond is referred to as the “bond company” or “surety company”. The trucking company business is called the Principal, the bond company is known as the Obligor and the State Department of Motor Vehicles is the Obligee.
In the event that the Principal violates licensing law, the bond pays the vendors, employees, and customers financial damages up to the amount stated on the surety form. The purpose of this bond is providing the shippers with a guarantee of them receiving their payment from the trucking company.
U.S. Customs Bond
U.S. Customs bond is a financial guaranty between 3 parties: the Principal filing the bond, the Insurance company issuing the bond, and Customs & Border Protection (CBP). The bond is a guarantee to Customs & Border Protection that they can seek financial compensation up to the bond amount in the event that they aren’t able to collect money due from the Principal. The bond indemnifies the surety company, which allows them to collect from the Principal any money that was paid to CBP on the Principal’s behalf, using any legal means.
Freight Broker Bond
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a requirement that forwarders and freight brokers secure a freight broker bond as part of their freight brokerage licensing process. The bond is meant to protect motor carriers and shippers and the contractual obligations they have with freight brokers. For example, if a freight broker refuses or delays payment unreasonably, the freight broker bond ensures that shippers and carriers receive compensation.
If you have questions about trucking bonds or any other truck insurance needs, we have the answers. Give us a call today for more information about these forms of coverage.
About Western Truck Insurance Services
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