If you’re working on a construction project in Georgia and need a surety bond, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re working on a federal project covered by the Miller Act, or a private project that requires bonding, it’s important to find a bond provider (or surety) that understands your industry. It’s also critical that they understand all state regulations that affect the bonding and bond claim process. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the top bond sureties for construction projects in Georgia.
Why do you need a construction bond?
Because construction projects are notoriously unpredictable, there are many laws, regulations, and common practices in place that protect all parties involved from financial loss. Construction bonds are just one of these safeguards, and they protect the contractor (the principle) and the owner (the obligee) from nonpayment issues, liens, damages, and/or incomplete work. They’re issued by construction bond sureties.
Since construction is so complicated, it’s important to work with a surety company that has experience with complex construction projects, and understands local laws.
Learn more about construction bonds
- An overview of bid bonds in construction
- The difference between payment bonds and performance bonds
Top Construction Bond Sureties in Georgia
The surety companies on this list were chosen based on the following criteria:
- Focus on construction industry
- Are licensed to provide construction bonds in Georgia
- Offer a variety of construction bond types
- Provide bonds for companies of varying sizes
- Belong to the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP) or the Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA)
Chubb Insurance Group
Georgia office locations: Various
Construction bond types
- Performance bonds
- Payment bonds
- Maintenance bonds
- Supply bonds
- Service bonds
Chubb Insurance Group is an international insurance company and a leading commercial lines insurer in the United States. They offer comprehensive insurance to individuals and businesses of all sizes across several industries.
Their construction focus revolves around risk management, underwriting, and claims management and execution.
They work closely with each of their clients to learn everything they can about their management teams and businesses to guarantee their success. On top of that, they’re backed up by strong financials widely considered some of the best in the industry.
Chubb is a member of the SFAA.
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
Georgia office locations: Atlanta (3), Alpharetta, Duluth
Construction bond types
- Bid bonds
- Performance and payment bonds
- Contractor license and permit bonds
- Union bonds
- Release of mechanics lien bonds
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants is a nationwide insurance company with three offices in Atlanta, one in Alpharetta, and one in Duluth.
Although they serve a wide range of industries, they have a specialty in construction bonds. EPIC provides contractors, construction managers, developers, designers, and more with a variety of contract and commercial bonds.
In addition, they have structured surety programs for a large variety of both national and international companies, and they work closely with their clients to ensure they develop the program that meets their exact needs.
Epic is a member of NASBP.
McGriff Insurance Services
Georgia office location: Alpharetta
Construction bond types
- Payment bonds
- Performance bonds
- Bid bonds
- Subdivision bonds
McGriff Insurance Services believes that bonding is one of the most important aspects of the bidding process. Bonding issues could prevent you from securing your license or permit on a project, render you ineligible to bid on some projects, or prevent you from qualifying as a subcontractor. McGriff uses software and their network of surety experts to help you avoid problems and maximize your surety credit no matter the size of the project.
McGriff is a member of NASBP.
PentaRisk
Georgia office location: Atlanta
Construction bond types
- Payment bonds
- Performance bonds
- Bid bonds
PentaRisk is a nationwide insurance and risk management company with an office in Atlanta. PentraRisk provides more than bonds—they provide their clients with long-term solutions and resources in the form of products, services, and partnership.
In addition to construction bonds, they also support contractors and suppliers with:
- Keeping their clients in the loop with news and changes in the surety market
- Long-term business partnerships and transparency
- Assistance with contractor and subcontractor pre-qualification
- Subcontractor default insurance
PentaRisk can help their clients with many aspects of their business, from risk management and employee benefits to loss prevention and claims management.
RLI Insurance Company
Georgia office location: Alpharetta
Construction bond types
- Bid bonds
- Performance bonds
- Payment bonds
- Supply bonds
RLI Insurance Company has four surety segments, each one overseen by specialists in each field. The four areas they service are commercial sureties, contract sureties, energy sureties, and miscellaneous sureties.
RLI sets themselves apart from the other brokers by providing personal service, offering flexible rating plans, providing automation services, and staffing experienced underwriters in Alpharetta and beyond.
RLI is a member of the SFAA.
Willis Towers Watson
Georgia office location: Atlanta
Construction bond types
- Bid bonds
- Performance bonds
- Payment bonds
- License and permit bonds
Willis Towers Watson works closely with their clients to become “part of the crew,” becoming an extension of their teams and helping them meet their needs. Along with the usual risk assessment and consultation services that insurance companies offer, Travelers specializes in surety bonds for construction.
Willis Towers Watson is a member of the SFAA.
USI Insurance Services
Georgia office locations: Atlanta, Carrollton, Savannah
Construction bond types
- Bid bonds
- Performance bonds
- Payment bonds
USI Insurance Services is one of the leading domestic and international surety brokers, and their practice in the construction industry is dedicated to helping construction professionals find surety solutions tailored to their needs. Their main clients include general contractors, tradespeople, construction managers, developers, owners, and designers involved in both public and private projects, large and small.
In addition to providing construction bonds, they also offer:
- Establishment of surety programs
- Commercial surety services
- Subcontractor default insurance
USI is a member of the NASBP.
Yates Insurance Agency
Georgia office location: Atlanta
Construction bond types
- Contract bonds
- Subdivision bonds
- Commercial surety bonds
- License bonds
- Permit bonds
Yates Insurance Agency works with contractors big and small, and uses their vast understanding of construction contracts to ensure they receive the service and advice that helps their businesses grow. At that, they only deal with the most trustworthy sureties, and they’re capable of bonding the most complex, hazardous, and biggest projects.
Since their founding in 1949, Yates has grown to be one of the largest and most trusted independent insurance agencies in the Southeast. They also have established carrier networks that allow them to serve internationally.
Yates is a member of the NASBP.
Georgia Construction Bond Sureties
Construction bonds are just one way to protect yourself from nonpayment, and it’s also one of the most effective. However, there are some cases in which it isn’t enough. Keeping in close contact with the surety is a great way to get things moving, and each of the sureties mentioned on this list work closely with their clients to foster communication.