Before submitting or executing a bond, you must obtain the necessary underwriting information.
Fulfilling a Bond Request
Obtain the Necessary Underwriting Information
If you do not see your bond type listed on this page, contact the Bond team at 888-656-0817
Who Will Execute the Bond?
In order to execute a bond, you must have the proper Power of Attorney (POA) and authority limits. If you need help determining your authority or if you would like to discuss obtaining Power of Attorney, email the National Surety Office or contact your regional office specialist.
Submitting for Bond Execution
For approval and execution, email the required underwriting information to the National Surety Office team.
- Your Bond team contact will make an underwriting decision.
- Once approved, you must mail the original application to your Bond team.
- The Bond team will execute the bond and mail the original bond and Advice of Premium to your attention.
Execution (with Proper Power of Attorney Authority Level)
- Complete the appropriate bond form.
- You will need to assign a bond number to the bond form. Email the National Surety Office: bucsurety@thehartford.com
- Attach a sealed Power of Attorney (POA) form and date the POA to coincide with the execution date of the bond.
- Sign the bond. (Please note: NY & CA require notarization)
- Affix The Hartford's corporate seal near or on the Attorney-in-Fact's signature.
- Send the original bond to the Principal (applicant), retain a copy for your files, and send a copy to your underwriter along with the original application.
Preguntas Frecuentes
General FAQs
Q: What is the difference between my agency submitting the bond to my Bond team and executing the bond ourselves?
A: In order to execute a bond you must have the proper Power of Attorney (POA) and authority limits. If you do not know if you have POA or what your limits might be, contact your NSO Underwriter at 888-656-0817.
Q: How do I submit business, if I do not have Power of Attorney?
A: Go to the "Fulfilling a Bond Request" section for an explanation of bond execution located at the beginning of this page. Call your NSO Underwriter at 888-656-0817 and they will be able to help you with any Power of Attorney requests you may have.
Q: What type of authority does the Power of Attorney grant me?
A: Two types of authority are assigned with The Hartford's Power of Attorney privileges.
Discretionary Authority is underwriting authority. You may approve and execute bonds within your discretionary/underwriting authority after an investigation by you reveals that it is a proper risk for the company to assume. The limits of authority are outlined in The Hartford's "Power of Attorney Instructions and Limitations.” Any bonds over your underwriting authority should be submitted to the company for approval.
Signing Authority is displayed on the Power of Attorney form itself. The Power has either a dollar amount or wording that states "unlimited" which gives the individuals named on the Power the power to execute a bond, not the authority.
Q: What is a General Indemnity Agreement (GIA)?
A: A GIA is used whenever a Principal requires multiple bond obligations. A GIA eliminates the need for numerous individual applications.
Q: How do I check rates?
A: Call your NSO Underwriter at 888-656-0817.
Q: Where/How can I get a bond form?
A: There are two ways to attain a bond form:
- The applicant or from the obligee (the party who will ultimately receive the bond) may provide it.
- Call your NSO Underwriter at 888-656-0817.
Applicant FAQs
Q: How do I explain to my customer what it means to indemnify?
A: To indemnify means a promise to prevent or compensate for loss. Within our application, there is an Indemnity Agreement which holds the surety harmless of loss.
Q: Does the application or General Indemnity Agreement (GIA) have to be dated prior to the bond execution date?
A: It is preferable to have the GIA completed and dated before the execution of the bond; however, if circumstances do not allow this, using the current date will not invalidate the indemnity agreement or obligation on our bond.
Q: Who should sign the application?
A: The Principal (your client) should sign and date the application before the bond is executed.
Q: Do you always require personal indemnity of owners of small businesses?
Underwriting Requirements
Q: How do I explain to my customer what it means to indemnify?
A: To indemnify means a promise to prevent or compensate for loss. Within our application, there is an Indemnity Agreement which holds the surety harmless of loss.
Q: How do I complete an application and indemnity section?
A: Contact the NSO for applications. Indemnity agreements are available on the Bond Resources page.
Q: Does the application or General Indemnity Agreement (GIA) have to be dated prior to the bond execution date?
A: It is preferable to have the GIA completed and dated before the execution of the bond; however, if circumstances do not allow this, using the current date will not invalidate the indemnity agreement or obligation on our bond.
Q: Who should sign the application?
A: The Principal (your client) should sign and date the application before the bond is executed.
Q: Do I have to fill out all areas of the All-Purpose Application?
A: No, only those sections that apply to the bond type you need along with the general information and signatures on the last page. Remember to include the date and to witness the signature. You can request a specific application that pertains to that class of business, such as court bonds, lost instrument, license & permit, etc.
Q: Do you always require personal indemnity of owners of small businesses?
A: Having the personal indemnity of the owners always helps strengthen the underwriting case. Generally, whenever a company is a Sub-S corporation we will require personal indemnity of the owner(s) and sometimes their spouses. Our underwriting of the account may require us to request financial statements, and run credit reports.
Executing a Bond
Q: How is a bond executed?
A: View the "Fulfilling a Bond Request" section at the beginning of this page for an explanation of bond execution.
Q: How is Power of Attorney and underwriting authority granted?
A: Typically, our preference is to grant authority to agents that execute bonds on a frequent basis or can commit to a certain bond premium volume. Speak with your NSO Underwriter at 888-656-0817 about specifics.
Q: What type of authority does the Power of Attorney grant me?
A: Two types of authority are assigned with The Hartford's Power of Attorney privileges.
Discretionary Authority is underwriting authority. You may approve and execute bonds within your discretionary/underwriting authority after an investigation by you reveals that it is a proper risk for the company to assume. The limits of authority are outlined in The Hartford's "Power of Attorney Instructions and Limitations". Any bonds over your underwriting authority would be submitted to the Company for approval.
Signing Authority is displayed on the Power of Attorney form itself. The Power has either a dollar amount or wording that states "unlimited" which gives the individuals named on the Power the power to execute a bond, not the authority.
Q: How do I get The Hartford seal?
A: With a new Power of Attorney, a seal will be mailed to you. For a replacement seal, contact your Regional Office using the Bond Contacts page.
Q: Do I need to place The Hartford seal on the Power of Attorney form?
A: It is not mandatory to do this; however, some people do attach the seal to the power as well as on the bond form to make the document look more official. You must always seal the bond form.
Q: Which Hartford underwriting company should I use?
A: Hartford Fire Insurance Company in most states.
In Texas & Massachusetts, use Hartford Casualty Insurance Company
Q: How do I get bond numbers?
You will need Power of Attorney from The Hartford to use bond numbers.
Q: What documents does The Hartford require after I've issued a bond?
A: We require copies of the executed bond, the original, signed application, and any supporting paperwork you receive from the applicant (e.g. paperwork from the obligee indicating the need for the bond,).
The Hartford's National Surety Office
P.O. Box 958461
Lake Mary, FL 32795
888-656-0817
For 1Step Users:
- For bonds executed within your underwriting authority, retain the documents listed above in your office.
- For bonds over your authority, send the documents to the underwriter that granted approval or upload the documents to 1Step.
Billing & Invoicing
Q: When will I receive an invoice from The Hartford?
A: The Premium Advice is typically mailed within 2 business days from the date a transaction is processed. Renewal invoices are usually processed 60 to 90 days before the bond anniversary date. Please allow for potential variables in mailing time. Typically, you should receive an invoice within 2 weeks from our receipt and approval of your request. If you experience an unusual delay in receiving your invoice, contact the National Surety Office service team at 888-656-0817 or by email:
bucsurety@thehartford.com
Q: Can I use Direct bill and/or TABS?
A. Yes. However, be sure your submission clearly communicates your billing preference. Unless Direct Bill or TABS is specified on the application or directly to your underwriter, the bond will be invoiced through Agency Bill. You will need to provide the TABS number if you want the bond billed through TABS.
Q: Where do I send money for Direct Billed items?
A. Send the check with the payment stub to:
The Hartford
P.O. Box 660916
Dallas, TX 75266-0916
Please reference the bond number on the payment check.
Q: Where do I send money for Agency Billed items?
A. Send it to:
The Hartford
P.O. Box 7247
Philadelphia, PA 19170-0234
AgencyBill.NH2@thehartford.com
Philadelphia, PA 19170-0234
AgencyBill.NH2@thehartford.com
Accounting questions? Please call: 800-962-6170
Underwriting questions? Please call your Bond team at: 888-656-0817
Questions or Need Assistance?
The National Surety Office (NSO) is your countrywide quick turnaround source for transactional and Commercial Surety business.