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Surety Bonds that free up your capital — an alternative to bank guarantees.

Contractors and infrastructure firms often have to lock up cash or collateral to give a bank guarantee. A surety bond does the same job — guaranteeing your performance to a project owner — but comes from an insurer, without blocking your working capital or margin money. It's an IRDAI-regulated product (allowed since 2022) increasingly accepted by government and private project owners.

Illustration of two parties signing an agreement — surety bonds
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The basics

What is a surety bond?

A surety bond is a three-party guarantee: you (the Principal/contractor), the project owner you're contracting for (the Obligee), and the insurer that stands behind you (the Surety). The surety assures the obligee that you'll meet your contractual obligations — and compensates them, up to the bond amount, if you don't.

What a surety bond does

  • Guarantees your contractual obligations to the obligee
  • Compensates the obligee if you default, up to the bond amount
  • Frees up working capital vs a bank guarantee (little/no collateral)
  • Keeps your bank credit lines open for the business
  • An IRDAI-regulated Surety Insurance Contract (since April 2022)
  • Increasingly accepted for infrastructure & government contracts

Good to know

  • It protects the obligee, not you — it's a guarantee, not cover for your losses
  • If the surety pays a claim, you must reimburse it (recovery rights)
  • Sureties underwrite on your financials, track record & the project
  • Premium depends on bond type, amount, tenure & your creditworthiness
  • The bond wording must match the contract's requirements

Getting the bond type and wording right — and the obligee's acceptance — is exactly where we add value.

Types of bonds

The right bond for each stage of your contract

Bid Bond (Tender)

Guarantees you'll honour your bid and sign the contract if you're awarded it.

Performance Bond

Guarantees you'll complete the contract to the agreed scope, quality and timeline.

Advance Payment Bond

Secures an advance the obligee pays you, refunding it if you don't deliver.

Retention Money Bond

Releases retained money back to you while still assuring the obligee of quality.

Financial / Payment Bond

Guarantees a specific payment obligation under your contract.

Statutory / Customs Bonds

Bonds required by government authorities, customs or courts.

Know before you buy

How to use surety bonds well

Our offering

Why arrange surety bonds through InsureDost

Surety is a newer, IRDAI-regulated product — using it correctly, with the right wording and a willing obligee, is exactly what a broker is for.

  • We know surety. A newer product done right — the correct bond type, wording and structure.
  • We free up your capital. We place bonds that reduce the collateral a bank guarantee demands.
  • Right bond, willing obligee. We match the bond to your contract and confirm acceptance up front.
  • End-to-end support. From underwriting documents to issuance — and any claim.
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Bid bondsGuarantee your tender commitment
Performance bondsAssure contract completion
Advance paymentSecure the advance you receive
vs bank guaranteeFree up collateral & capital
FAQs

Surety bond questions

What is a surety bond?

A three-party guarantee where an insurer (the surety) assures a project owner (the obligee) that you (the principal/contractor) will meet your contractual obligations. If you default, the surety compensates the obligee up to the bond amount.

How is it different from a bank guarantee?

Both guarantee your obligations, but a surety bond comes from an insurer and typically needs little or no collateral or margin money — freeing up the working capital and bank limits a guarantee would otherwise lock.

Is a surety bond insurance that protects me?

No. A surety bond protects the obligee, not you. If the surety pays a claim, you're required to reimburse it. It's a guarantee of your performance — not cover for your own losses.

Who accepts surety bonds in India?

Since IRDAI allowed them in 2022, government bodies (such as NHAI) and a growing number of private project owners accept surety bonds in place of bank guarantees. We confirm acceptance with your obligee before you commit.

What does the premium depend on?

The bond type, amount, tenure and your creditworthiness — your financials and track record. We help you present a strong case to secure competitive terms.

Free up your capital — talk to us about surety bonds

Tell us about your contract and we'll arrange the right surety bond at competitive terms.

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