Brad Hall Partner View Bio

Do You Have The Right Surety Bonds Agent?

Do you have the right surety bond agent? Here are 7 questions you need to ask your surety bond agent to make sure they are the right fit for your needs.

1. How long have you been in business?

The longevity of a business is an indication of their overall success. The longer they’ve been around, the more experience they have, the more people they know and the validity they have in the marketplace. At Lawley, we are proud to say that we are celebrating 60 years in business.

2. What Surety bond companies does your agent represent?

Your agent is only as good as the markets they represent. A good agent will have the resources of multiple sureties to determine the best possible fit and program for you.
At Lawley, we represent and hold powers for nearly every major surety company — ensuring you will be represented by the best possible surety for your needs.

3. How well do they know YOUR business?

How experienced are they as an organization to understand your type of business? Our construction insurance and surety bond team handles a variety of contractors (and ONLY contractors) and represent some of the largest and most successful in the western New York and Tri-State area — from general contractors, electrical, mechanical, bridge painters, bus companies, waste haulers, exterior and interior renovators to environmental risk. Chances are, Lawley knows YOUR business.

4. Who will you be dealing with for your day-to-day needs (i.e. bond processing, information request) and what, if any, systems do they utilize?

We have a state-of-the-art bond tracking system. Our Customer Service Response team has extensive bond experience. This staff is overseen by a Bond manager and your daily business is expertly and routinely managed. This means you get your bond faster and more efficiently than most other places.

5. Who represents your account when your primary producer/account executive is not available?

All of our Construction Insurance & Bond account executives have over 15 years in the business. When your executive is on vacation, the rest of our team of 25 picks up right where you left off and there is always another associate in the office to help when needed. We routinely meet and discuss active accounts to get advice and guidance from the other professionals in the office. We like to say, when you get ONE of us, you get ALL of us. Learn more about the team here.

6. Does your agent have a working relationship with other construction professionals? Are they respected by these professionals?

Lawley has a strong basis of professional relationships including, CPA’s, Bankers, Legal counsel, potential J/V partners, subcontractors and such. We routinely refer and introduce our clients to the professionals they require — a list of references are available on request.

7. Is your bond agent helping YOU become more successful?

An agent should be a business partner, an extension of your organization that enhances your company. They should be a trusted partner and look forward to the future of YOUR success. In order to do that, they should not just be someone you call for a bond – they assist you and are a part of your daily business plan.

At Lawley, we offer a variety of services that our clients can utilize as part of our overall customer service. We want you to be a valued client for years to come. We invest in YOUR success. Here are some of the services we offer as part of your team:

  • Construction Insurance Services – we will carefully review and advise you if you have the right forms and coverage. Our expert Insurance staff is highly knowledgeable and experienced in construction insurance
  • Review of Financials – this includes analysis of financial statements (both internally and externally produced), evaluation of the company’s financial organization, practices, controls and procedures, systems, etc. We can also help with interpretation of accounting and tax guidelines (GAAP, FASB, FIN, etc.)
  • Annual and Semi-Annual Information Reminders – Our staff is so efficient we don’t wait for a problem to arise or a bond to be requested to obtain information to keep your account current. We send out reminders twice a year (with follow-up reminders in between) so that we can have your account updated and ready for when you need us
  • Contract and Bond Form Review – we can also assist in negotiations and drafting of acceptable terms with obligees and principals
  • Helpful Resources – Our interactive and updated website shares articles on relevant industry topics to help keep you up to date on what’s happening
  • Banking Support – We help to arrange and/or support your banking relationship
  • Local Market Presence – one of the most important services we can provide our customers is our intimate knowledge of the local construction marketplace

To talk with our Lawley Construction & Bond team about your specific surety bond needs, click here.

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