Motor Vehicle Dealer Bonds
What is Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond? (What does the Surety Bond cover?)
When reviewing your state’s licensing department’s requirements to receive your Motor Vehicle Dealer License, you may see a Surety Bond on the list. The Surety Bond requirement is to enforce dealers to follow state rules and regulations and prevent them from engaging in unethical business practices.
Check out what our clients are saying about us on Google:
Based on 297 reviews
Leonard C.
18:56 15 Aug 24
Tito L.
21:34 21 Mar 24
Krystal W.
23:53 20 Feb 24
Working with Surety Solutions was great! Especially Jessi she was patient with me and she made sure... that she answered all my questions. Quick and Easy! 100% recommend!!read more
Wayne T.
13:43 12 Feb 24
I first contacted Surety Solutions back in 2017 for a Process Server bond quote. The quote they... gave me was good. I had actually tried 3 other bond companies back then but it was Surety that stood out. And that's because of the really nice customer service that I received from Cryssi Brubaker, the Customer Service Agent that worked with me through our many email exchanges. She even extended my quote an additional 60 days after I told her that I was just considering the process server license at that time and hadn't applied for it yet. Ultimately, though, I didn't go for the process server license so I never got the bond in 2017. Fast forward to the present and I needed to get that same bond again for me and my wife's business, now in 2024. (Wow that's 7 dang years ago -oh well, I'll just call it God's timing 😊). So when it was time to get a bond for the Process Server license it was a no-brainer for me. I went online looking for Surety Solutions and voilà (Wa-Lah), there they were -with a fresh and newer looking website to boot. After obtaining my Process Server bond from Surety a few weeks ago, I ran into a problem with my State because the expiration date on the bond needed to be set to a specific date in even years (or in 2026). So I needed that to be fixed; like, pronto. It was late in the day on Friday when the State sent me an email with the issue. So I contacted Surety by email. But I wasn't expecting to hear back from them until maybe on Monday. However, and to my surprise, I received an email back in short order that same day from Jessi Wimer, the Surety Account Manager Associate. And wouldn't you know it, she was just as attentive, friendly and knowledgeable in her several email exchanges with me that it took me back to 2017 and Crissi Brubaker. That's when I knew I made the right choice all these years later to go back to Surety Solutions for my bond. In sum total, it was that Customer Service, friendliness and knowledge of my particular situation that won me over.read more
Nana T.
21:33 02 Jan 24
Ryan B.
18:44 29 Dec 23
I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the customer service Jessi Wimer provided for not only me... but our company. As one of the owners I am in charge of licensing and realized last minute I needed two bonds on the very last business day of the year. Not only was she on it, responded promptly, but actually made it easy. I am so thankful for her and all her help. Because of her Surety Solutions will be my first and last call when I need a bond again.read more
John C.
18:09 20 Nov 23
Great system backed by great service. Simple and intuitive. And you can actually get live help!
Eli G.
19:49 25 Sep 23
Great service!
lizzy B.
21:50 31 May 23
Update - in 2023 i had to renew and Mickey Wolfe was great! They got me the bond ASAP, was... extremely helpful, diligent, and quick to respond. I was having problems getting in touch with anyone and Mickey came through ASAP. Thank you - Mickey needs a raise 5 star service!!Just received my bond for becoming a private investigator. cryssi from customer service was super helpful, as i kept messing up my application (sending in wrong format) and she was nothing but helpful with correcting this. I was also a bit worried about the process of obtaining a bond, as i never have, but it was shockingly easy and not expensive at all. Would re use if i need an upgraded bond.read more
David H.
04:08 12 May 23
Jessi was very courteous and helpful. She was very patient and knowledgeable. I am very thankful... for her help. Highly recommend!read more
Matt G.
21:50 23 Feb 23
Jessi is great at what she does. She helped me secure the best surety bond for myself and my... company as well as walked me through the process all the way. I am glad we found her and will be sticking with her and her company from now on.read more
Jeff G.
22:43 26 Jan 23
Jessi Wimer was an AMAZING help while applying for my mortgage bond....absolutely wonderful!!!!
Peter Y.
22:55 19 Dec 22
Jessi Wimer did an outstanding job with my Surety Bond! She was very knowledgeable, friendly and... helpful. I highly recommend Jessi Wimer!read more
Chris V.
19:12 06 Dec 22
Thank you Jessi Wimer for excellent customer service I received from you regarding the renewal of... my MLO bond. Much appreciated!read more
Darin G
16:54 05 Dec 22
By far the best Surety Bond Coverage and wow the quote was so good on my Co 25K Surety bond, I... added 500K E&0 for that price was lower than state group plan, and was very streamlined.Best Customer Service, I was greatful for Jessie, and the Surety Solutions Family had top notch provider for much less! Across the board.See you next year, thank you for the amazing quotes. Very happy.read more
Mortgage H.
20:51 02 Mar 22
Easiest system to use and, by far, the fastest company with providing E&O and Surety bond... insurance. HIGHLY recommend!read more
Chris L.
17:07 08 Feb 22
Surety Solutions goes above and beyond their duty to make their customer feel confident that they... are choosing the right company. Jessi Wimer personally helped me through the process. She was very informative and made sure that every concern I had was dealt with in the most professional and efficient way. Thank you for your hard work!read more
Bridgette M. B.
23:24 10 Dec 21
Excellent service; they exceeded my expectations in timeliness and professionalism.
James G.
17:49 30 Nov 21
Client services provided quick and accurate responses.
Eva Hammel H.
16:46 30 Nov 21
Very helpful and they respond quickly to any questions.
Samantha C.
17:42 23 Nov 21
I have had to obtain E&O and Surety bonds on the past and my experience has always been... complicated. Surety Solutions was amazing I literally sent in my paperwork at 9AM and had what I needed by noon the same day!! I would highly recommend them to anyone!read more
Zakieh A.
16:38 04 Nov 21
Katrina Fearn, Client Service Manager at Surety, is an absolute pleasure to work with!! She is... always highly responsive, and has provided me nothing but excellent service since our first interaction. I highly recommend working with her and the Surety team. They will always go above and beyond. Thank you for all that you've done!read more
Gerise W.
18:25 10 Aug 21
I have been working with Steve Shike and he has been so helpful. I purchased the wrong bond and... Steve instantly requested a refund on my behalf and called back with the good news. I appreciate him for helping me figure out my situation in such a timely matter. Thank you Steve for responding to my calls and emails promptly.read more
Gerry J.
16:30 08 Aug 21
jerry T.
04:44 03 Jul 21
Kristopher M.
14:23 24 Jun 21
Katrina and Surety Solutions were very helpful and fast. I needed to change the bond I ordered and... they handled that within minutes. Their response time to emails and request were great and that is why I will continue to work them both. All I ask for is relatively decent response time when there are issues that need resolved and Katrina far exceeded that and was friendly on top of everything else. Well done.Krisread more
Danny S.
14:41 15 Jun 21
Grace answered the phone immediately with a positive attitude and willingness to help. She... followed through professionally and promptly through entire process.read more
Bonnie A.
20:39 20 May 21
Surety Solutions has been the most amazing and easiest company to work with on Bonds in my past 17... years of doing insurance. They are very quick to respond and very personal to work with. Jake Durrant is absolutely the best!read more
Suzie T.
17:14 07 May 21
Tonya B.
01:18 21 Apr 21
Easy experience.
Ryan M.
20:18 19 Apr 21
I had the pleasure of working with Katrina Fearn to obtain mortgage broker surety bonds and I can... say with zero hesitation, that she is wonderful to work with. Extremely responsive, communicative and helpful. Surety Solutions + Katrina = Great Partnership. Thanks!!!read more
Umesh M.
23:34 07 Apr 21
Can't say enough good things about Katrina Fearn, she was exceptionally prompt, responsive and a... true professional in getting me the bond in a timely manner. Just amazing customer service.read more
Ernesto U.
19:08 10 Feb 21
I needed a copy of my bond and with people working form home I thought is was going to take a long... time. I got an email with the copy of my bond with in minutes. Never seen anything like that. Very Professional and fast response. thank you for good business ethicread more
Ruslan K.
22:43 08 Jan 21
Just obtained Mortgage Broker Surety Bond for two states. not only the price was right but service... and professionalism exceeded my expectations. i can't thank Steve enough and wish i knew them sooner.read more
One Step C.
05:17 01 Dec 20
I bought a surety bond for my business. The name on the application has my middle name on it and... the policy didn't. That would or could have created a problem. I wrote to customer service to complain. Well not complain but ask for it to be changed. Since it was Thanksgiving weekend I wasn't expecting to hear back till this week sometime. Well to my surprise it was "Very" Quickly. JD was very helpful and professional. Fixed it then contacted me with the corrected version. Couldn't be happier. " Good Business is Good Business"read more
Obsesion H.
04:45 26 Oct 20
Amazing customer service and friendly and informative reps.
Irena S.
03:00 25 Sep 20
Surety solutions handled my request for a Guardianship Bond professionally, with great care and... provided great value to my family. Of all of the insurance companies I contacted for my need, Surety Solutions was by far the most responsive, courteous and knowledgeable. I very much appreciate their fine service!!read more
Kirk G.
19:10 23 Jun 20
The entire staff from Jake to Katrina were more than professional and bent over backwards to meet... mine and The State of California's requirementsread more
Sharon H.
23:29 28 Apr 20
This process could not have been easier! Mr. Chipman sent me an email link and I just followed the... steps. I highly recommend Mr. Beau Chipman to anyone who needs this service.read more
Justin R.
23:53 17 Mar 20
Doss E.
03:42 11 Mar 20
Outstanding customer service from Jake and the other folks at Surety Solutions! Shopped my surety... bond with other companies and found the best price here by far.read more
Oksana B.
06:41 05 Mar 20
Excellent service, best pricing, immediate communication! Keep up such a great work!!! Thanks!!!
Jessica M.
17:22 25 Feb 20
Diana F.
07:20 24 Feb 20
The staff is very friendly and on more than one occasion went above and beyond normal customer... service to make sure that we were fully taken care of. I would highly recommend this company.read more
Tiara A.
03:01 31 Jan 20
Easy to work with, and extremely fast! I would definitely recommend!
sherry N.
17:44 22 Jan 20
Very timely and professional work on providing services to our firm. We are very satisfied.
Ivan R.
23:52 08 Jan 20
Great service. No hassle. Great communication.Thank you Cryssi for the excellent service!!!
Kerri L.
03:29 14 Dec 19
Cryssi B. went above and beyond to get my bond issued in record time and delivered incredible... customer service throughout the process. So impressive and refreshing. I am so grateful.read more
Katrina and M.
17:11 23 Oct 19
Absolutely great to work with!
Meg G.
03:56 23 Oct 19
Quick and easy process to get my notary bond. Best price and the documents arrived by mail way... faster than expected. I highly recommend.read more
Pedro
20:58 17 Oct 19
Great communication, fast and to the point service. Great follow up too.
Petra G.
16:08 10 Oct 19
Katrina is very fast and responsive and we got our insurance in few hours! She is the best! We will... collaborate again for sure! Thank you! 🙂read more
Lara C.
07:44 23 Sep 19
They helped so much when I went to my states tag office who denied my paperwork multiple times due... to the format. Surety helped me every step of the way.read more
Bill Main C.
15:16 11 Sep 19
Super fast and professional service. Couldn't ask for anything better. Thank you guys.
Tommy M.
02:15 04 Sep 19
Surety Solutions is a fantastic company to work with. I was in a unique situation and was having... trouble finding a company willing to underwrite an estate conservatorship bond for me. Surety Solutions took the time to listen to me and shopped around with their underwriters and found someone willing to underwrite the bond. Having to experience the probate system is a major headache; however, Surety Solutions makes sure the bonding portion of it does not have to be 🙂read more
Susan L.
16:07 20 Aug 19
My experience with Surety Solutions agent (Katrina) was professional, solution-driven and... responsive throughout the whole process. From applying for a bond quote to purchasing and receiving the bond was simple and efficient. My questions were answered promptly with upbeat attitude and patience. Customer service definitely exceeded beyond my expectations. I would certainly use their service again in the future.read more
Sandra L.
17:10 15 Aug 19
OP
Audrey K.
06:20 27 Jul 19
This place was actually super helpful, and really speedy! Their blog on their page has nice, easy... to follow information, and their staff are super friendly and helpful. I was looking all over for some of this information, trying to weave through weird shady looking sites, and Surety Solutions really is the one to go with. quick, clean, trustworthy, professional. Thanks for all your help!read more
Shana O.
18:14 22 Jul 19
Surety Solutions was able to help me secure a bond and guide me through the probate process in a... very friendly and competent way. I really appreciated their speed, efficiency, and knowledge.read more
Jason D.
21:45 10 Jul 19
I made a mistake in selecting the correct bond and they fixed it with a quick call.Thanks Again!
Michael B.
20:24 30 Jun 19
I worked with Cryssi at Surety Solutions in order to secure a $900,000 conservator bond. Their... quote was by far the best out of several companies I requested quotes through ($2,110 vs. $3,500). Cryssi was always very helpful and responded very quickly during business hours and often during after hours via email. I will continue to work with and renew with their company especially if their quotes and customer service remain this excellent. Thank you again! MikeSo just an update to my original post. It was time to renew the conservator bond this year and Cryssi at Surety Solutions made the process extremely streamlined and convenient. I received an email stating it was time to renew the bond with a link to pay online. My rate didn't change at all and it took about 30 seconds to renew my bond. This has been an easy, convenient, and one of the most affordable companies to work with. Some of the best customer service in the market which is sometimes hard to find these days! Thank you again for an affordable quote which was seamless to renew. Thank you Cryssi!read more
Christopher F.
19:08 24 May 19
They did everything they said they would & more! Great people excellent people skills polite and... quick. Noproblemsread more
John P
17:59 30 Apr 19
I needed a California Certificate of Title Bond so I came to there site. This company was very... professional and helpful. I appreciated there live chat options. There website was easy and fast to use. I had to call in and speak to someone and he (Thomas) was very helpful and polite. Thank you guys for a great experience if I ever need another Bond I will be using your company for sure! Keep up the great customer service. Thanks again!read more
Jacqueline (.
13:41 25 Apr 19
Thank you Thomas and Katrina for the superb professional, fast service you both provided me. I... shopped around online for a few days comparing Bond Companies and calling asking questions, and praying. Your website is a cut above the others; your process is quick, straight forth, no tricks nor confusion, but honest online service!I received a Great Rate for my bond compared to other companies, saving me money!Thomas answered my questions upfront with patience & clarity; & Katrina was right on top of email correspondence, my invoice, I received my email bond copy in hours of applying online & hard copy I received next day!Surety Solutions of Gallagher's overall process, Thomas & Katrina made sure, my experience with them was overall stress free, affordable & outstanding!I am still amazed how fast I received my hard copy bond from the time I started to finished, and with FedEx, I had my bond, No errors in my hand the next day! I thank GOD for the stress free & excellent service I received !read more
Michael S.
22:52 19 Apr 19
Beau was super helpful when I had questions about buying a used car from a seller with an unusual... title situation. I have not bought a used car before, so it was very reassuring to talk through my concerns about the situations and the safest ways to move forward. He thoughtfully responded to my inquiries without pestering for my contact info or trying to sell me products - such customer service is hard to find these days! Thank you!read more
kathy B.
22:20 15 Apr 19
I had been dreading the red-tape of obtaining a surety bond for a lost vehicle title. I had just... obtained a quote from another company online and was not pleased with the price. Surety Solutions was less expensive---by far---and their service was outstanding: efficient and polite. The quote was obtained, approval given, and the transaction was complete in a just a couple of hours. I could not be more pleased!read more
ROBERT S.
02:42 12 Apr 19
Huge Kudos to Cryssi @Surety Solutions! Thank you for being so responsive and accommodating with... helping me get my Bond taken care of. It was a pleasure working with you and your company!Rob with Caliber Auto Salesread more
Brent W.
20:01 11 Apr 19
Sheree M.
15:39 10 Apr 19
It was a very easy and smooth experience. I got the bond that I needed for a competitive rate.... Cryssi was great.read more
kimchibator
23:17 02 Apr 19
Cryssi was my rep. Responds back on a timely manner. She goes above and beyond to insure customer... satisfaction! I will do business with Surety Solutions again and recommend to others! Thank you Cryssi! From Bridge City Cleaners!read more
Deanne R.
20:31 28 Mar 19
Cryssi saved the day. We were finally ready to submit our DBO app and realized we had the bond... created in our previous business. Expecting a significant red-tape delay, we reached out to Cryssi who managed our little crisis with not only absolute professionalism, but with expedience. She was also so personable!read more
Mark W.
00:24 28 Mar 19
Cryssi & Danielle are great to work with. Very responsive and solution minded. We needed to... extend the dates of our coverage and paperwork to show that coverage. They responded quickly and took care of us right away. Thank you!read more
Love of the Magic V.
16:31 26 Mar 19
Working with Cryssi at Surety Solutions is fast and easy!
Michael L.
17:46 22 Mar 19
They are quick to help you I will say that!!
FastSigns
23:44 21 Mar 19
Surety Solutions is a very organized, professional group. As a local vendor, we work with them on... a regular basis and they make a strong effort to ensure each project goes as smoothly as possible. Strong communication is critical to our daily operations and the staff are accessible and very easy to work with. Keep up the good work!read more
Toni R.
23:26 21 Mar 19
Visited and contacted several different surety bond websites prior to seeing this one. Had my bond... purchased in less than 10 minutes!!!!! Spoke with Cryssi and she was very professional, answered all of my questions and had my surety bond emailed to me within an hour, will receive the original one tomorrow morning!!!!! So pleased with Cryssi and the ease of obtaining the bond. Lastly, out of all of the places I contacted, this surety bond was $75.00 less than all of the other places that I checked into.read more
CARLOS A.
18:14 19 Mar 19
Great Customer Service! Was able to process my request and also review great information they... provide - step by step guide amazing! quick and easy- best part of dealing with Title issues- HIghly recommendread more
Brandon C.
02:23 13 Mar 19
Very,Very helpful and Very,Very fast same day it was like christmas i defiinitly recomend this... companyread more
Melisande A
17:51 01 Mar 19
Great company, really informative and responsive. Thomas was super helpful and patient as he walked... me through a million questions that I had. I dealt with a few other less helpful companies before I selected this one. Highly recommend.read more
Anthony G.
18:45 27 Feb 19
WOW! I am so glad I found this site. I called a local company and they wanted me to fill out and... email so much information. With this company it was all online and easy and super fast. I also messed up and put the wrong expiration date and it was so easy to chat online and fix it. I paid for the faster shipping which is 2 business days, its so worth it. Thanks again Surety Solutions and to Beau who I was chatting with online, you were awesome.read more
TARC -Wealth Building Office L.
00:29 27 Feb 19
These guys are very knowledgeable! They when out of their way to answer all my questions. I'll be... getting my bonds from them.read more
Christopher M.
23:41 26 Feb 19
Needed some quick assistance. and they were able to help me with the questions i had.
Sophia Rose W.
19:42 25 Feb 19
Beau helped me understand bonded titles and what I needed to ask my DMV when I thought I was in a... hopeless situation! Thanks so much!read more
Jennifer F.
23:01 22 Feb 19
This was a pleasurable non stressful experience for me I was well informed and its gonna make it... that much easier at the DMV NOWread more
Roman Y.
16:18 22 Feb 19
Exceptional customer service.
gozie victor O.
00:05 22 Feb 19
Robert R.
13:29 20 Feb 19
My representative does a great job, always takes care of my needs and answers any questions I may... haveread more
David N.
00:04 20 Feb 19
Wonderful experience. Clear, concise explanation. I spoke with Beau and got all the information I... needed to help me out.read more
Darrick H.
14:23 16 Feb 19
The answers to my inquiry were so helpful and prompt iy was very encouraging. I sincerely... appreciate the exoertise to get me started on a long awaited resolution to my title issue. Thank you so much!read more
Sunshine S.
21:13 13 Feb 19
Tan-Jent Development Company, L.
17:28 13 Feb 19
Absolutely Fantastic. Though Katrina coud not help me she gave me 5 companies that could!
Pamela D S.
17:08 07 Feb 19
Very honest. Loved my chat
don P.
23:46 06 Feb 19
Fast, knowledgeable and friendly. Great experience.
Laura N.
23:34 06 Feb 19
John K.
23:22 05 Feb 19
Straight-forward and quick. Online form was very easy to fill out and I received our bond the very... next day.read more
Start with a quote
Most states require dealers purchase a Surety Bond prior to receiving their license. The state wants to make sure your customers are protected when buying a car from your dealership. Also, the licensing board doesn’t want to be held financially responsible for paying out to your customers if you break the rules.
How does the bond work?
First, let’s make it clear the Surety Bond does not serve the same purpose as traditional insurance. You are not covered under the bond. However, the customers who purchase vehicles from your dealership are covered.
A Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond is a mix of insurance and a line-of-credit. This bond is a contract between you and two other parties.
The Principal – You, the licensed dealer, are listed as the principal on the bond.
The Obligee – The licensing board requiring you to get a Surety Bond.
The Surety – This is the company through which you choose to purchase your bond.
If your customer files a complaint against your business, they may choose to make a claim against your bond. The surety company will payout up to the full bond amount to the claimant if they find the claim to be valid.
What happens if a claim is made on my Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond?
Both you and the surety don’t expect to have a claim filed against the bond. This is why the premium is significantly less than the necessary bond amount. That being said, claims do happen.
In the event your customer files a claim against your bond, your surety company will perform a thorough investigation on the claim. After the investigation concludes, the surety company will payout to the claimant up to the full bond amount if they find the claim to be valid. However, as the principal of the bond, you are responsible for making the surety financially whole by paying them back in full.
Types of Dealer Bonds
The type of Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond and bond amount you require depends on the types of vehicles you sell and the state you operate your business. While many states require a general Motor Vehicle Dealer Surety Bond, some require a specific type of bond for certain license types.
The different type of Dealer Licensing Bonds include:
Auction Dealer Bonds: If you’re planning to sell vehicles at auction, this may be the bond type you require.
Franchise (New) Dealer Bonds: Dealers exclusively selling new vehicles.
Independent (Used) Vehicle Dealer Bonds: Dealers selling used vehicles.
Salvage (Dismantler / Parts Recycler) Dealer Bonds: Selling non-functional vehicles to be used as parts.
Recreational (Trailer / Motorsports / RV) Dealer Bonds: Check with your state’s licensing board to verify if you’ll need this specialty bond type or if a general Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond will cover these types of vehicles.
Wholesale Dealer Bonds: Dealers selling used vehicles to other dealers.
Note that not every state requires licensed dealers to be bonded. The best method to determine exactly what you need is to contact your state’s licensing department. They will provide you with a copy of the bond form if they require you to get a Surety Bond. We’ve created a helpful interactive form to help you determine what type of Motor Vehicle Bond and bond amount you’ll need here.
How much does the bond cost?
Among the factors used to determine the cost of your bond, the surety reviews the amount of the bond, the credit score of all the owners and the length of the bond term. The greater the risk associated with your policy, the higher you can expect to pay in premium. However, many of our surety partners offer Motor Vehicle Dealer Bonds as low as 1% or less of the bond amount. Find quotes for your bond, today!
Can I get a Motor Vehicle Dealer License Bond with bad credit?
Having bad credit doesn’t automatically exclude you from being eligible for a Surety Bond. In fact, we’ve assisted many dealers with non-standard credit get their Motor Vehicle Dealer License Bonds. Due to the higher risk, applicants with non-standard credit typically get quotes within 5%-15% of the bond amount they require, when approved.
We perform a soft-pull when running credit, so your score will not adversely be affected when checked. See what you’ll pay for your bond using the button below.
How to get a Dealer License Bond?
When it comes to getting your Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond, don’t settle for just one quote. We at Surety Solutions, A Gallagher Company have partnered with leading surety companies to bring you an online marketplace to ensure you find the best deal for your bond.
On average, we save our clients 35% on their Dealer Bond cost.
We are licensed to issue bonds in all 50 states. Let us know if you have questions about the bond or our application. Contact our surety professionals by emailing [email protected] or call (866) 722-9239. There is no need to wait. View quotes for your Auto Dealer Bond, today!
Additional Surety Bond Resources
Find out everything you need to know about becoming a licensed dealer.
Step-by-step state tutorials on how to become a licensed car dealer.
Answers to frequently asked questions about getting your license.
Make sure you are applying for the correct bond amount with our Bond Amount Calculator.
Worried about a felony on your record? Check out this resource.
Download our free ebook on being a licensed dealer.
Need a different type of Surety Bond?
Click on your state below.
