Terms of Use
1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the website www.californiacontractorbonds.com (the “Website”), any mobile application, or any other online service provided by Surety First Insurance Services, Inc. (collectively, the “Services”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use (“Terms”), our Privacy Policy, and all applicable laws and regulations.
If you do not agree with any of these Terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing the Services.
Surety First Insurance Services, Inc. is a California-domiciled insurance agency licensed to transact surety, property, casualty, and workers’ compensation insurance in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Arizona.
2. Nature of Services
Surety First Insurance Services, Inc. acts as an insurance agent/broker to facilitate the placement of:
- Surety bonds (bid, performance, payment, license, permit, maintenance, subdivision, etc.);
- Commercial insurance including General Liability, Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Property, Builders Risk, Professional Liability, and related coverages.
We do not underwrite, issue, or guarantee any policy or bond. All coverage is subject to final underwriting approval by licensed insurance carriers or surety companies (“Carriers”).
3. Eligibility
You must be:
- At least 18 years old;
- A legal entity or individual authorized to enter contracts;
- Operating in or requiring coverage in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, or Arizona.
We reserve the right to refuse service consistent with applicable law.
4. User Accounts
To request quotes, submit applications, or manage policies, you may create an account. You agree to:
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information;
- Maintain password confidentiality;
- Notify us immediately of unauthorized use;
- Accept responsibility for all account activity.
We may suspend or terminate accounts for violations.
5. Quote & Application Process
5.1 Quotes
- Quotes are non-binding estimates based solely on information you provide.
- Quotes are never bound by voicemail, text, email, or verbal confirmation.
- Coverage is not in force until:
- Carrier issues a binder or policy;
- Premium is paid in full;
- All required documents are signed.
5.2 Accuracy of Information & Material Misrepresentation
You warrant that all information provided—whether in quote requests, applications, or supplemental forms—is true, complete, and not misleading.
Consequences of incorrect, incomplete, or fraudulent information (intentional or unintentional):
- Immediate policy or bond cancellation (flat or short-rate);
- Denial of claims in full;
- Retroactive premium adjustment;
- Loss of future insurability with any Carrier;
- Personal liability for unpaid claims or bond forfeitures;
- Referral to state insurance departments for suspected fraud.
We are not liable for coverage denials, cancellations, or claim rejections resulting from inaccurate information you provided. By accepting coverage, applicant is explicitly accepting the accuracy of all underwriting information provided prior to accepting coverage.
5.3 Soft Credit Pull Authorization
For surety bonds, workers’ compensation, or high-limit general liability policies, a soft credit inquiry may be required to generate an accurate quote.
By submitting a quote request for these products, you authorize Surety First Insurance Services, Inc. and/or the Carrier to perform a soft credit pull on all applicants and personal indemnitors.
- Does NOT affect your credit score
- Will NOT appear on lender-issued credit reports
- You will be notified verbally or in writing in advance if required
5.4 Applications & Electronic Signatures
- You authorize submission of your application and supporting documents to Carriers.
- Electronic signatures (via DocuSign, etc.) are legally binding.
6. Premiums, Fees & Payment
6.1 Premiums
- Determined solely by the Carrier after underwriting.
- Non-refundable once coverage is bound, except as required by law.
6.2 Agency/Broker Fees
- Non-refundable fees may apply and are disclosed at quote.
- Earned upon application submission.
6.3 Payment Terms
- Full payment required before binding unless premium financing has been secured.
- Accepted: ACH, credit card, wire, check (subject to clearance).
- No coverage is effective until payment clears.
- Late payments may trigger automatic cancellation.
7. Binding Authority
- We have no binding authority.
- Only the Carrier can bind coverage.
- Voicemail, email, or verbal statements DO NOT constitute binding.
- Binders are issued only in writing by the Carrier.
8. Indemnity & Personal Guarantees
For surety bonds and certain high-risk insurance policies, a General Indemnity Agreement (GIA) or personal guarantee is required. You and all indemnitors agree to:
- Joint and several liability for premiums, claims, and expenses;
- Collateral posting upon Carrier demand;
- Reimbursement of all losses incurred.
GIA provided prior to execution or post execution by some carriers.
9. Policy & Bond Execution
Coverage begins only after:
- Underwriting approval;
- Receipt of premium/fees;
- Signed applications/indemnity.
You are responsible for:
- Filing bonds with obliges unless otherwise stated;
- Submitting certificates of insurance;
- Complying with policy conditions.
10. Cancellations & Refunds
| Type | Refund Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Flat Cancel (pre-effective date) | Full premium refund minus agency fee |
| Short-Rate Cancel (mid-term) | Pro-rata refund minus short-rate penalty |
| Non-Cancellable (license/permit bonds, audit policies) | No refund |
Carrier-initiated cancellations (e.g., non-payment, fraud) are non-refundable.
11. Claims & Cooperation
- Notify us immediately of any claim, lawsuit, or bond demand.
- You must fully cooperate with Carrier investigations.
- Failure to cooperate may void coverage and trigger personal liability.
12. Website Usage & Intellectual Property
12.1 License
Limited, non-transferable license to use www.californiacontractorbonds.com for lawful purposes.
12.2 Prohibited Activities
- Copying, scraping, or redistributing content;
- Automated access (bots, crawlers);
- Uploading malware;
- Framing or mirroring the site.
All content © Surety First Insurance Services, Inc. or licensors.
12A. Text Messages, Calls, AI Assistant & Email
California Contractor Bonds, operated by Surety First Insurance Services, Inc. (“Surety First”) contacts you by text, phone and email only as described in this section.
Text messages (SMS)
We send text messages only to people who give us their mobile number and agree to receive them. Our text programs are:
- Quote and application messages — about a quote, application, bond or policy you asked us about. Message frequency varies with your request.
- License & bond status alerts (free) — alerts about your own contractor license and bond status. Up to 4 messages per month.
- Quote updates & renewal reminders (marketing) — up to 6 messages per month.
Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel at any time (STOP ends all texts; STOP ALERTS or STOP OFFERS ends just that program). Reply HELP for help, or call (800) 682-1552. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Agreeing to texts or calls is not a condition of buying any bond, policy or service.
We do not sell or share your mobile number or text-messaging opt-in data with third parties or affiliates for their marketing purposes. We give it only to the service providers that deliver our messages and calls, and only so they can deliver them.
Phone calls and our AI assistant
We may call you at the number you give us about your request, and with your agreement about license & bond alerts or quote updates and renewals. Calls may be made with automated technology, and some calls are made or answered by our AI assistant, Claire. Calls with us may be recorded and reviewed for quality, training and our records. To stop calls, tell us on any call (for example, “stop calling”) or call (800) 682-1552.
We email you about your quote, application, bond or policy. We may also send marketing email, such as renewal reminders and offers. Our email is sent through our email service provider, Twilio SendGrid. Every marketing email includes an unsubscribe link, and we honor unsubscribe requests promptly, as the CAN-SPAM Act requires. Our postal address: Surety First Insurance Services, Inc., 2222 Francisco Drive, Suite 220-343, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762.
How to withdraw your consent
- Texts: reply STOP to any message.
- Calls: tell us on any call, or call (800) 682-1552.
- Marketing email: use the unsubscribe link in the email.
- Any of them: call (800) 682-1552 or write to us at the postal address above.
We act on your request promptly. You can withdraw consent at any time; doing so never affects a bond or policy you have with us.
By giving us your phone number and agreeing on one of our forms, you agree to the messages described here. Our Privacy Policy explains how we handle your information.
13. Disclaimers
- Services provided “AS IS” without warranties.
- We do not guarantee:
- Quote accuracy if based on incomplete data;
- Coverage approval or pricing;
- Continuous website availability.
- No liability for:
- Carrier denials or cancellations;
- Obligee rejection of bonds;
- Losses due to your misinformation.
13. Third-Party Referral Links & Affiliate Commissions
13.1 Thimble Insurance Referral Program
Our Website includes a referral link to Thimble Insurance (“Thimble”), an independent online insurance platform. Clicking the link and purchasing any policy through Thimble may generate a referral commission paid to Surety First Insurance Services, Inc.
13.2 Independent Relationship
- Thimble is not owned, controlled, or underwritten by Surety First.
- All policies purchased via the referral link are issued, underwritten, and serviced exclusively by Thimble and its licensed carriers.
- Surety First has no binding authority, underwriting control, or claims responsibility for Thimble products.
13.3 No Endorsement or Warranty
The presence of the Thimble referral link does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or warranty of Thimble’s products, pricing, coverage, or service.
You are solely responsible for reviewing Thimble’s terms, conditions, privacy policy, and policy forms before purchase.
13.4 Disclosure of Compensation
We receive a one-time referral commission from Thimble for completed purchases made through our link. This compensation does not increase your premium and is paid solely by Thimble.
13.5 Limitation of Liability
We are not liable for:
- Any coverage denials, cancellations, or claim disputes under Thimble policies;
- Errors, omissions, or misrepresentations on Thimble’s platform;
- Availability, functionality, or security of Thimble’s website or services.
All inquiries, claims, or cancellations for Thimble policies must be directed to Thimble support—not Surety First.
14. Limitation of Liability
TO MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:
- Our liability limited to agency fee paid.
- No liability for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages.
- Applies even if advised of possibility.
15. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
- Law: California
- Venue: Sacramento, CA
- Arbitration: Binding AAA arbitration in Sacramento, CA
- No class actions
- Prevailing party recovers attorneys’ fees
16. Modifications
Terms may be updated. Continued use = acceptance. Material changes posted on www.californiacontractorbonds.com and emailed.
17. Force Majeure
No liability for delays due to acts of God, cyberattacks, pandemics, or events beyond control.
18. Severability
Invalid provisions do not affect remainder.
19. Contact
Surety First Insurance Services, Inc.
Website: www.californiacontractorbonds.com
Phone: (800) 682-1552
Mailing: 2222 Francisco Drive, Suite 220-343 El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
CA License 0k36818, OR License 3003912639, WA License 1329040, NV License 4158381, AZ License 3003888302
By using our Website or Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms of Use. You further acknowledge that coverage is never bound by voicemail or informal communication and that you are solely responsible for the accuracy of all submitted information.