Valrico, FL, United States, Florida
- Home
- Commercial Insurance
- Surety Bonds
📍 Tampa · Brandon · Valrico · Hillsborough County FL
Surety Bonds for Tampa FL Contractors & Businesses
License Bonds · Performance Bonds · Payment Bonds — Fast Florida Approvals
Surety bonds are required for licensed contractors in Florida and increasingly demanded on public and private construction projects across Tampa Bay. FishHawk Insurance Center helps Hillsborough County contractors get bonded quickly with the right bond type and amount for their CILB license, county licensing board, and project contracts. Fast approvals, competitive rates, electronic certificates.
- CILB & County License Bonds
- Fast Same-Day Approvals
- Performance & Payment Bonds
- Tampa Bay Local Since 2001
25+
Years Serving Florida Businesses
2001
Est. in Florida
25+
Years Independent
Multi
Carrier Access
FL
Licensed & Local
What's Covered
What Surety Bonds Covers — Key Protections Explained
FishHawk Insurance Center customizes every policy to your specific industry and operations. Here’s what this coverage protects against and why each component matters for Florida businesses.
License & Permit Bonds
Required by Florida's CILB and Hillsborough County licensing authorities for contractors to obtain or maintain their license. Protects clients and the public if the contractor fails to comply with licensing laws or contractual obligations.
Performance Bonds
Guarantees you'll complete a project per contract terms. Required on virtually all Tampa Bay public projects and increasingly on larger private jobs. Protects the project owner if you default.
Payment Bonds
Guarantees your subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers will be paid. Required alongside performance bonds on Florida public construction projects under the Little Miller Act.
Bid Bonds
Guarantees that if you win a contract bid, you'll honor it at the bid price. Required by many public agencies before bids can be submitted. FishHawk Insurance Center issues bid bonds quickly to meet proposal deadlines.
Commercial / Business Bonds
Protects clients from employee dishonesty or failure to fulfill service agreements. Common in cleaning, landscaping, home services, and other businesses whose employees work on client premises.
Maintenance & Supply Bonds
Post-completion bonds guaranteeing work quality for a specified period. Supply bonds guarantee materials delivery per contract terms. Both common on larger Tampa commercial projects.
- How Much Do Surety Bonds Cost in Florida?
Surety bond premiums are typically 1%–3% of the required bond amount for well-qualified applicants. A $50,000 contractor license bond might cost $500–$1,500/year depending on credit and experience.
- Bond type and required amount — license bonds are typically small and affordable
- Personal and business credit history — better credit = lower rate
- Years in business and project experience
- Financial statements required for larger performance/payment bonds
- Claims history on prior bonds
Why FishHawk Insurance Center
Why Tampa Bay Businesses Trust FishHawk Insurance Center
CILB & County Bond Expertise
We know exactly what bond amounts and types are required for CILB license applications, Hillsborough County licensing boards, and major Tampa Bay GC requirements.
Fast Approval Turnaround
Most license and permit bonds approved and issued within one business day, often within hours. We expedite urgent bond needs for bidding deadlines.
Competitive Bond Rates
FishHawk Insurance Center shops surety bonds across multiple markets — finding competitive rates especially for newer businesses or those with credit challenges.
Complete Bond Package Management
From initial license bonds through performance and payment bonds on major projects, FishHawk Insurance Center manages your entire bonding program as your business grows.
How It Works
Getting Covered Is Simple
From your first call to Certificate of Insurance in hand — most clients are covered the same business day they contact us.
1
Tell Us About Your Business
Call 813-776-1542 or fill out the form below. We need basic info about your operations, employees, and what your contracts require.
2
We Shop Multiple Carriers
A licensed FishHawk Insurance Center agent compares rates and terms from multiple Florida-licensed carriers suited to your industry — on your behalf.
3
Bind Coverage & Get Your COI
Approve your policy, we bind it, and your Certificate of Insurance is issued promptly — ready for your GC, landlord, or licensing board.
Serving all of Hillsborough County and Greater Tampa Bay:
Tampa · Brandon · Valrico · Riverview · Temple Terrace · Tampa · Brandon · Valrico · Riverview · Seffner · Plant City · Lutz · Wesley Chapel · New Tampa · Sun City Center · Apollo Beach · Ruskin · and throughout Florida
Tampa · Brandon · Valrico · Riverview · Temple Terrace · Tampa · Brandon · Valrico · Riverview · Seffner · Plant City · Lutz · Wesley Chapel · New Tampa · Sun City Center · Apollo Beach · Ruskin · and throughout Florida
Free Same-Day Quote
Get Your Free Commercial Insurance Quote
Takes about 3 minutes. We shop multiple Florida-licensed carriers and most clients receive options the same business day.
🔒 Private & confidential — we never sell your data. | Call 813-776-1542 | info@fishhawkins.com | Book Appointment
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions — Surety Bonds in Tampa FL
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.
