Find and compare cheap insurance quotes

Surety Bond Insurance

Get surety bond insurance quotes quickly, tailored to your business: construction, professional services, public contracts, and more.

Surety bond insurance is a key component for businesses that must guarantee the performance of contracts or demonstrate their financial strength. Whether you are a construction contractor, service provider, or bidding on public tenders, bonding is often mandatory.

In Quebec, several types of surety bonds are available, including:

  • Bid Bond
  • Performance Bond
  • Labour and Material Payment Bond
  • RBQ Licence Bond
  • Customs Bond

Through ClicAssure, you can compare different commercial surety bond solutions offered by insurers and specialized surety companies to obtain the right protection at the best possible cost.

Surety Bond Insurance

Get Quick Surety Bond Insurance Quotes

By clicking START NOW, you grant the permissions below and accept our terms of use.*

*Permissions:
I authorize ClicAssure to collect and share my personal information with some of its business partners who may provide me with an insurance quote. I also authorize ClicAssure and its partners to contact me by email, text, phone, or mail to respond to my request or finalize my quote.
I also consent to ClicAssure and its partners collecting, using, sharing, and retaining my personal information for the purposes of:
• Creating and updating my profile;
• Assessing the products and services they can offer me;
• Obtaining my feedback on my interactions with them or on their products and services;
• Conducting studies and creating statistical models;
• Providing me with personalized recommendations;
• Fulfilling their legal obligations.
If I accept the insurance offer from one of ClicAssure's business partners, I also authorize the latter to inform ClicAssure in order to update my file.
I also authorize ClicAssure and these same partners to communicate with me by email, text message, telephone or mail to respond to my request for insurance quotes or to allow me to finalize my quote request.

If I accept the insurance offer from one of ClicAssure's business partners, I also authorize the latter to inform ClicAssure in order to update my file.
I also authorize ClicAssure and these same partners to communicate with me by email, text message, telephone or mail to respond to my request for insurance quotes or to allow me to finalize my quote request.
Privacy
Use of cookies

1

people online

3M +

completed forms until now by our users

4.7 stars

+ than 1000 Google reviews

Our Partners

Insurers and firms represented by our partners

FAQ – Bonding Insurance in Quebec

1. What is surety bond insurance?

Surety bond insurance is a financial guarantee that ensures a third party that a business will fulfill its contractual or regulatory obligations. Unlike traditional insurance, it does not directly protect the company against a loss. Instead, it guarantees the proper performance of an obligation.

A surety bond involves three parties:

  1. The bonded company (the principal)
  2. The beneficiary (the obligee or contracting authority)
  3. The surety company (the insurer)

If the company fails to meet its obligations (delay, non-performance, non-payment), the surety company compensates the beneficiary according to the terms of the contract and then seeks reimbursement from the bonded company. It is therefore a guarantee mechanism, not a traditional risk transfer like a standard insurance policy.

2. What is the difference between commercial insurance and a surety bond?

The fundamental difference lies in the nature of the risk.

Commercial insurance covers an unforeseen risk (fire, liability, theft, etc.). The insurer assumes the risk and indemnifies the insured according to the policy’s coverage.

A surety bond, on the other hand, guarantees that an obligation will be fulfilled. If the surety pays a claim, it will seek recovery from the bonded company. In other words, bonding is based on the financial capacity and credibility of the business.

This is why surety companies closely analyze:

  • Financial statements
  • Management experience
  • Project history
  • Balance sheet strength

3. What types of surety bonds are most common in Quebec?

In Quebec, several types of surety bonds are required depending on the industry and contractual obligations.

The most common include:

  • Bid Bond: Guarantees that the company will honour its bid if awarded the contract. Often required for public tenders.
  • Performance Bond: Ensures that the project will be completed according to the contract terms (timelines, quality, compliance).
  • Labour and Material Payment Bond: Protects subcontractors and suppliers against non-payment.
  • RBQ Bond: Required for certain contractor licences in Québec.
  • Specialized Commercial Bonds: Customs, tax, judicial, environmental, or other regulatory obligations.

Each type of bond serves a specific purpose and must be tailored to the nature of the contract or legal requirement.

4. Who needs surety bond insurance?

Surety bonds are primarily required in sectors where significant contractual obligations are involved.

Businesses most commonly affected include:

  • Construction contractors
  • Real estate developers
  • SMEs bidding on public contracts
  • Regulated businesses
  • Importers and exporters

In many government or municipal tenders in Quebec, bonding is mandatory to protect public funds and ensure project completion.

Certain private-sector companies may also require surety bonds to secure major contracts.

5. How much does surety bond insurance cost?

The cost of a surety bond depends on the level of risk associated with the company and the project. The premium is typically calculated as a percentage of the bonded amount.

Several factors influence pricing:

  • Financial condition and liquidity
  • Debt ratio
  • Experience with similar projects
  • Claims history
  • Contract amount and duration

Generally, premiums range between 0.5% and 3% of the bonded amount for well-established businesses. A weaker financial profile may result in a higher rate or additional requirements, such as personal guarantees or collateral.

6. How long does it take to obtain a surety bond?

The timeframe depends on the complexity of the file and the amount requested.

For a standard application with complete financial statements and an established company, approval can often be obtained within 24 to 72 hours.

For larger projects or growing businesses, the underwriting process may be more in-depth and require:

  • Audited or reviewed financial statements
  • Details of ongoing projects
  • Information on corporate structure

Fast processing is essential, especially when responding to a tender with a strict deadline.

7. Can you obtain a surety bond with imperfect financials?

A strong financial profile improves approval chances, but imperfect credit does not automatically mean rejection.

Each application is evaluated individually based on:

  • Debt level
  • Revenue stability
  • Management experience
  • Available assets

In some cases, alternative solutions may be available, such as lower bonding limits or additional guarantees.

Presenting a complete and well-structured file is essential to increase the likelihood of approval.