Surety bonds for contractors in Florida

What a bond does on a job

Bonding that strengthens your bid

Surety bonds are a standard part of construction in Florida, especially for public work and larger private contracts. A bond is a three-party agreement that guarantees your obligations to the project owner. If you don’t complete the work as agreed, the surety steps in to protect the owner, then seeks reimbursement from the contractor.


GM Insurance Underwriters helps contractors line up bonds that match the contract and the timeline. Whether you’re bidding a city job in Jacksonville, taking on a school project in Orlando, or doing coastal work that requires strict compliance, we’ll make sure the bond supports your next step.

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Types of bonds we place

Bid, performance, payment, and license bonds

Most contractors run into a few bond types repeatedly:

Bid bonds that show your proposal is serious and backed by a surety.

Performance bonds that guarantee the work will be completed per contract terms.

Payment bonds that protect subs and suppliers by ensuring they’re paid.

License and permit bonds required by certain jurisdictions or trades.

We’ll review your contract language and the owner’s requirements before we submit anything. That avoids last-minute scrambling when a bid deadline is close or a notice-to-proceed is already on the calendar.

A smoother bonding process

How we help you get approved faster

Bonding is part underwriting, part paperwork, and part timing. We help you present your business clearly to the surety, including financials, job history, and current workload. If you’re new to bonding, we’ll start with the right capacity and build from there.


Because GM Insurance Underwriters works with multiple surety partners, we can usually find a fit whether you’re a growing subcontractor or an established GC. Many bonds can be turned around quickly when documents are complete, and we’ll keep you updated so you’re not stuck guessing.

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Quick Answers for Contractors

  • Are bonds the same as insurance?

    No. Insurance transfers risk to the carrier. A bond guarantees performance, and the contractor is responsible for paying the surety back if a claim is paid.

  • How fast can I get a bond?

    Small bid or license bonds can often be issued quickly. Larger performance and payment bonds may require deeper underwriting. We’ll tell you what’s needed up front to keep things moving.

  • Do Florida contractors need license bonds?

    Some trades and local jurisdictions require them. If you’re not sure, we’ll confirm what applies to your license and the counties you work in.

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