FAQs

Bail bonds are used to release a person who has been arrested for a crime from jail.

When a person is arrested for a crime, they are placed in jail until they can have a bail hearing. During their bail hearing, a judge will set a bail amount that can be paid to free the accused from jail during their court date. If the accused cannot pay the bail amount, they must wait in jail. A person accused of a crime who cannot afford the bail amount can also hire a bail agent to post the bond amount for them.

Surety bonds guarantee that an obligation will be fulfilled or that financial compensation will be provided if that obligation is not met. Three parties enter into an agreement when a surety bond is acquired: the principal, the obligee and the surety. The principal obtains the bond to ensure that they will perform a certain obligation to the obligee. If they fail to perform this obligation, the surety will provide compensation to the obligee.

A surety is a person other than the defendant who is posting the bail money. There are four types of bail that can be posted to secure the release of a person who has been charged with a crime. They include cash bail, a bail bond, a property bond and release on their own recognizance (“ROR”).

A bail agent, also referred to in states as a surety bondsman or professional bondsman, is a person who, for financial gain, guarantees a defendant's appearance to the court and promises to pay the full financial amount of bond if the defendant fails to appear or otherwise triggers forfeiture

The main difference between a cash bond and a surety bond is the number of parties involved. Cash bonds only involve two parties, you and the owner. In a surety bond, there is a third party, the surety company. The term surety refers to any party that guarantees the payment of a debt or performance of a contract.

Bail insurance, also known as bail bond insurance, guarantees the payment of a defendant's
bail amount to the court if they fail to appear for their scheduled court date. This type of
insurance is essential for bail bond agents, as it allows them to provide a financial guarantee to
the court on behalf of the defendant, ensuring their release from jail while awaiting trial. Without
bail insurance, agents would have to cover the full bail amount themselves, which can be
financially burdensome. Partnering with a reliable bail insurance provider like O'ShaughnaHill
Surety & Insurance gives agents the financial backing they need to operate confidently and
effectively.

A surety is a financial institution or insurance company that guarantees the fulfillment of a legal
obligation, such as the payment of a bail bond. In the context of bail bonds, the surety provides
a guarantee to the court that the defendant will comply with the terms of their release, including
appearing in court when required. If the defendant fails to meet these obligations, the surety is
responsible for paying the full bail amount. This arrangement allows bail bond agents to act as
intermediaries, helping defendants secure their release while mitigating financial risk

A general agent (GA) is an individual or entity authorized by a surety company to act on its
behalf in a specific region or market. General agents typically manage relationships with bail
bond agents, provide them with the necessary tools and resources, and oversee the
underwriting and approval of bonds. They act as a crucial link between the surety company and
the bail bond agents, ensuring that operations run smoothly and that both parties' interests are
protected. At OSI, our general agents are seasoned professionals with deep industry
knowledge, ensuring our agents receive the highest level of support and guidance.

When choosing surety representation, consider factors such as experience and expertise, 24/7
support, technological capabilities, reputation and trustworthiness, and tailored services. Look
for a surety company with a proven track record in the bail bonds industry, like OSI, which offers
valuable insights and guidance. Ensure they provide around-the-clock support and invest in
advanced technology to streamline operations. Reputation and ethical standards are also
crucial—choose a provider known for reliability and integrity. Lastly, the best surety
representation offers personalized support to meet the specific needs of your business, helping
you grow and succeed in a competitive market. Partnering with O'ShaughnaHill Surety &
Insurance ensures you receive top-tier surety representation, backed by our commitment to
empowering agents and driving industry excellence.

At OSI we Empower Our Agents!

YOUR success is OUR business at O’ShaughnaHill Surety & Insurance, Inc.

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