Tips for Working With Bail Bond Agents

What Bail Bond Agents Expect from Their Clients

• Be truthful with your agent when they ask you for information.
• Provide as much information as possible.
• Be realistic about your ability to pay.
• Co-signers, understand it is also your responsibility to get the defendant to appear in court as required.
• Defendants and co-signers need to communicate with your agent about any changes in the defendant’s status like a change in employment or address.

Working With Bail Bond Agents and What You Should Expect

• Before you make the call try to have this information ready.
  • The arrestee’s name. Correct spelling is very important.
  • The arrestee’s date of birth.
  • Amount of the bond.
  • Date of arrest.
  • Where the arrestee is being held.
  • Other personally identifying information such as address.

If you don’t know all of this information at the time of the call, don’t worry, our agents can still help you.

• A bail agent is not required to work with you and may choose not to if they have any concerns as to whether the defendant will go to court as required or any other related issues.

• Once an agent decides to work with you, you will be required to pay the premium. Most agencies will accept credit cards or cash for the premium payment. The premium percentage is non-refundable and non-negotiable.
  • If you don’t have the full premium amount available and need to make financing arrangements, many agents can assist you with this so discuss it with your agent.  Make sure you get copies of all paperwork related to the financing arrangement.

• A truly professional bail bond agent should treat you with courtesy and respect and demonstrate a willingness to help you.

• Make sure your agent explains everything to you and that you are comfortable with the answers. If you are confused or don’t understand something, ask them to go over it with you again. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

• Ask your agent if there will be other fees in addition to the premium. Many times there will be additional fees like travel expenses or legal filing fees.
  • If the defendant skips bail or leaves town, you may be responsible for all expenses related to bringing the defendant back to stand trial.
  • Make sure you know exactly what you are responsible for. Since you are signing for the bail bond, you could be responsible to pay the entire bail amount if the person you are bailing out does not show up for court when they are supposed to.

• Ask for an exact price, not a quote. An agent should be able to tell you exactly how much the premium is going to be. For example, the premium will be $500 not “it will be around $500″.

Licensing requirements for bail bond agents vary by state. You can verify license information and regulations through the State Department of Insurance within the state they work in.