About
Merchants Bonding Company has maintained a singular focus on surety bonding since 1933, making it one of the most experienced and financially stable surety providers in the industry. As a three-party bonding specialist, Merchants serves principals, obligees, and agents across contract surety bonds, commercial surety bonds, subdivision bonds, fidelity bonds, and specialty solutions. What sets Merchants apart is its 'common sense underwriting' philosophy — no rigid checklists, no inflexible minimums or ratios, just experienced underwriters who evaluate each situation on its merits. Agents gain access to The Hub, Merchants' proprietary agent portal widely regarded as the best in the industry, enabling fast bond issuance, account management, and reporting. The Hub Express automates transactional surety workflows, while a REST API and RAP (Rapid Access Program) allow agencies of all sizes to integrate seamlessly. The claims department takes a proactive, common sense approach to resolving contract and commercial/fidelity/notary claims. An educational content library — 'Talk Surety to Me' — supports agents and clients in growing their surety knowledge. Merchants Bonding is ideal for insurance agencies, independent agents, contractors, and businesses needing reliable bond coverage with exceptional service and modern digital tools.
Key Features
- Common Sense Underwriting: No checklists or inflexible ratios — experienced surety underwriters evaluate each account individually to say YES to the best agents and accounts.
- The Hub Agent Portal: A full-featured agent platform for managing surety bonds, issuing coverage, and accessing account data, widely praised as the best in the industry.
- The Hub Express Automation: Automates transactional surety workflows, enabling agencies to process high volumes of bonds quickly without manual underwriting intervention.
- API & Technology Integrations: REST API access and integrations (including Erlon) allow agencies of all sizes to embed surety bonding into their existing workflows and systems.
- Dedicated Claims Department: A proactive claims team handles contract, commercial, fidelity, and notary claims with a common sense approach throughout the entire process.
Use Cases
- Insurance agencies seeking a specialized surety carrier with best-in-class agent technology and flexible underwriting for their contractor clients.
- Contractors and construction companies that need bid, performance, or payment bonds to qualify for public and private construction projects.
- Businesses and professionals requiring commercial surety bonds such as license and permit bonds, notary bonds, or public official bonds for regulatory compliance.
- High-volume transactional surety agencies looking to automate routine bond issuance through The Hub Express or API integration.
- Agents handling complex or non-standard accounts that need experienced, judgment-based underwriting rather than rigid automated approval systems.
Pros
- 90+ Years of Surety Expertise: Focused exclusively on surety since 1933 with an A (Excellent) or better A.M. Best rating since 1958, providing financial stability and deep industry knowledge.
- Industry-Leading Agent Technology: The Hub and Hub Express are widely recognized as best-in-class platforms that help agents automate, scale, and manage their surety book efficiently.
- Flexible, Common Sense Underwriting: No rigid minimums or checklists means complex or non-standard accounts get a fair, experienced review rather than an automated rejection.
Cons
- Agent-Only Portal Access: The Hub and advanced tools are only accessible to Merchants-appointed agents, limiting direct access for end-customers seeking bonds independently.
- Surety-Only Focus: Merchants specializes exclusively in surety bonds and does not offer broader insurance products, requiring agents to use multiple carriers for full coverage needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of surety bonds does Merchants Bonding offer?
Merchants offers contract surety bonds (bid, performance, payment), commercial surety bonds (license and permit, public official, court/probate), subdivision bonds, fidelity bonds, notary bonds, and specialty solutions.
How do I access The Hub agent portal?
The Hub is available exclusively to agents appointed by Merchants Bonding Company. You must complete the appointment process before gaining access to the platform.
What is The Hub Express?
The Hub Express is Merchants' automated transactional surety solution that enables agencies to process and issue routine bonds quickly without manual underwriting, helping agencies scale their surety book efficiently.
How does Merchants Bonding handle claims?
Merchants has a dedicated claims department that takes a proactive, common sense approach to handling contract claims and commercial/fidelity/notary claims. You can report a claim directly through their website.
Does Merchants Bonding offer an API for integration?
Yes, Merchants offers a technology API as part of their suite of tech tools, along with integrations such as the Hub and Erlon Integration, designed to fit agencies of all sizes and bond appetites.
