Surety Bonds for Tampa FL Contractors & Businesses
License, permit, performance, payment and bid bonds for Tampa contractors and businesses, with most license bonds issued within one business day.
A surety bond guarantees you will do what you promised
Insurance protects you. A surety bond protects the other party, your client, project owner or licensing board, if you fail to perform. Many Florida contractors need both insurance and bonds.
- License and permit bonds for CILB and Hillsborough County
- Performance and payment bonds for public projects
- Most license bonds issued within one business day
- Bid bonds issued quickly to meet proposal deadlines
The surety bonds Tampa businesses need most
License and permit bonds
Required by the CILB and Hillsborough County licensing authorities to get or keep your license.
Performance bonds
Guarantees you finish a project per contract. Required on virtually all Tampa Bay public projects.
Payment bonds
Guarantees subs, suppliers and laborers get paid. Required on Florida public jobs under the Little Miller Act.
Bid bonds
Guarantees you honor a winning bid at the bid price. Required by many public agencies before you bid.
Commercial and business bonds
Protects clients from employee dishonesty, common for cleaning, landscaping and home services.
Maintenance and supply bonds
Guarantees work quality after completion and materials delivery per contract on larger projects.
What a surety bond does and what it does not do
- Protect your client, project owner or licensing board
- Guarantee you complete the project per contract
- Guarantee subs, suppliers and laborers are paid
- Guarantee you honor a winning bid at the bid price
- Protect you against your own losses
- Transfer the loss away from you like insurance
- Let you keep what the surety pays: you reimburse it
- Replace the insurance many contractors also need
Unlike insurance, you must repay the surety for any claim it pays
Bond companies can cancel or refuse renewal after claims, so a clean bond history matters. We explain your obligations before a bond is issued.
What sets the price of a surety bond in Florida
License bonds are typically small and affordable. Larger performance and payment bonds go through underwriting review.
- Bond type and required amount
- Personal and business credit: better credit means a lower rate
- Years in business and project experience
- Financial statements for larger performance and payment bonds
- Claims history on prior bonds
Why Tampa Bay businesses trust FishHawk Insurance Center
CILB and county bond expertise
We identify exactly what your license type and your projects require.
Fast approval turnaround
Most license and permit bonds issued within one business day, often hours.
Competitive bond rates
We shop multiple carriers so your bond is priced to your credit and experience.
Complete bond package management
License, bid, performance and payment bonds handled in one place.
Getting bonded is simple
Tell us about your business
Call 813-776-1542 or fill out the form with your license type and the bond you need.
We shop multiple carriers
We compare bond rates and expedite underwriting for larger performance and payment bonds.
Get your bond issued
Approve the terms and we issue your bond, often the same business day for license bonds.
Frequently asked questions
Is a surety bond the same as insurance?
No. Insurance protects you against losses. A surety bond protects the other party (client, project owner, licensing board) if you fail to perform as agreed. If a claim is paid on a surety bond, you’re generally required to reimburse the surety, it’s a credit guarantee backed by a third party, not a loss-transfer mechanism. Many Florida contractors need both insurance and bonds.
What bonds do I need for a Florida contractor's license?
It depends on your license type and issuing authority. State-licensed CILB contractors, Hillsborough County licensing boards, and individual project contracts each have their own requirements. FishHawk Insurance Center helps you identify exactly what’s required for your license type and any specific projects you’re bidding on.
How quickly can I get a surety bond?
Most license and permit bonds are approved and issued within one business day, often within hours. Larger performance and payment bonds require underwriting review including financial statements, but FishHawk Insurance Center expedites the process. For urgent needs, call 813-776-1542 directly.
What happens if a claim is filed on my surety bond?
The surety company investigates and may pay the claimant up to the bond amount. Unlike insurance, you must reimburse the surety for amounts paid. Maintaining a clean bond history is critical, bond companies can cancel or refuse renewal for contractors with claims. FishHawk Insurance Center helps you understand your obligations before a bond is issued.