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Surety Bonds

Department Circular 570

4810-35

Department of the Treasury

Fiscal Service
(Dept. Circular 570; 2024 Revision)

Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Acceptable Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies

Effective July 1, 2024

This Circular is published annually for the information of Federal bond-approving officers and persons required to give bonds to the United States consistent with 31 CFR 223.16. (Interim changes are published on the Surety Bond website as they occur). Other information pertinent to Federal sureties may be obtained from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Surety Bond Branch, 200 Third Street, Room 1010, Parkersburg, WV 26106, Telephone (304) 480-6635.

The most current list of Treasury authorized companies is always available through the Internet at https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/surety-bonds/list-certified-companies.html. In addition, applicable laws, regulations, and application information are also available at the same site.

Please note that the underwriting limitation published herein is on a per bond basis but this does not limit the amount of a bond that a company can write. Companies are allowed to write bonds with a penal sum over their underwriting limitation as long as they protect the excess amount with reinsurance, coinsurance or other methods as specified at 31 CFR 223.10-11. Please refer to Note (b) at the end of this publication.

The following companies have complied with the law and the regulations of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Those listed in the front of this Circular are acceptable as sureties and reinsurers on Federal bonds under Title 31 of the United States Code, Sections 9304 to 9308 [See Note (a)]. Those listed in the back are acceptable only as reinsurers on Federal bonds under 31 CFR 223.3(b) [See Note (e)].

If we can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact the Surety Bond Branch at Surety.Bonds@fiscal.treasury.gov or 304-480-6635.

Tamela S. Saiko
Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Fiscal Accounting

Important information is contained in the notes at the end of this circular. Please read the Notes carefully.

Notes

(a) Under the new regulations which became effective August 9, 2024, all Certificates of Authority expire July 31, and are renewable August 1, annually. Companies holding Certificates of Authority as acceptable sureties on Federal bonds are also acceptable as reinsuring companies.

(b) The Underwriting Limitations published herein are on a per bond basis. Treasury requirements do not limit the penal sum (face amount) of bonds which surety companies may provide. However, when the penal sum exceeds a company's Underwriting Limitation, the excess must be protected by co-insurance, reinsurance, or other methods in accordance with 31 CFR Section 223.10, Section 223.11. Treasury refers to a bond of this type as an excess risk. When excess risks on bonds in favor of the United States are protected by reinsurance, such reinsurance is to be affected by use of a Federal reinsurance form to be filed with the bond or within 45 days thereafter. In protecting such excess risks, the underwriting limitation in force on the day in which the bond was provided will govern absolutely. For further assistance, contact the Surety Bond Branch at 304-480-6635.

(c) A surety company must be licensed in the state or other area in which it provides a bond, but need not be licensed in the State or other area in which the principal resides or where the contract is to be performed [28 Op. Atty. Gen. 127, Dec. 24, 1909; 31 CFR Section 223.5 (b)]. The term "other area" includes the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

License information in this Circular is provided to the Treasury Department by the companies themselves. For updated license information, you may contact the company directly or the applicable State Insurance Department. Refer to the list of state insurance departments. For further assistance, contact the Surety Bond Branch at (304) 480-6635.

(d) FEDERAL PROCESS AGENTS: Treasury approved surety companies are required to appoint Federal process agents in accord with 31 U.S.C. 9306 and 31 CFR 224.

(e) Companies holding Certificates of Authority as acceptable reinsuring companies are acceptable only as reinsuring companies on Federal bonds and may not directly write Federal bonds.

(f) Some companies may be approved surplus lines carriers in various states. Such approval may indicate that the company is authorized to write surety in a particular state, even though the company is not licensed in the state. Questions related to this may be directed to the appropriate State Insurance Department. Refer to the list of state insurance departments.

Footnotes

    1. AMERICAN CONTRACTORS INDEMNITY COMPANY (NAIC #10216) is required by state law to conduct business in the state of Texas as TEXAS BONDING COMPANY. However, business is conducted in all other covered states as AMERICAN CONTRACTORS INDEMNITY COMPANY. ↩
    2. International Fidelity Insurance Company’s (NAIC #11592) name is very similar to another company that is NOT certified by this Department. Please ensure that the name of the Company and the state of incorporation are exactly as they appear in this Circular. Do not hesitate to contact the Company to verify the authenticity of a bond. ↩
    3. United Casualty and Surety Insurance Company (NAIC #36226) is required by state law to conduct business in the state of Texas as “US Casualty and Surety Insurance Company”. Additionally, in California business is conducted using the “United Surety Insurance Company” moniker. Business is conducted in all other states as “United Casualty and Surety Insurance Company”. ↩
    4. West Bend Mutual Insurance Company (NAIC #15350) changed its name to West Bend Insurance Company. The effective date of the change is January 29, 2024.↩
    5. Grange Insurance Company (NAIC #14060) voluntary relinquished their Treasury Certificate of Authority effective March 21, 2024.
    6. Grange Insurance Company of Michigan (NAIC #11136) voluntary relinquished their Treasury Certificate of Authority effective March 21, 2024.
    7. Integrity Insurance Company (NAIC #14303) voluntary relinquished their Treasury Certificate of Authority effective March 21, 2024.
    8. XL Reinsurance America, Inc. (NAIC #20583) voluntary relinquished their Treasury Certificate of Authority effective June 30, 2024.
    9. Ascot Surety and Casualty Company (NAIC #30279) changed its name to Ascot Surety & Casualty Company. The effective date of the change is June 10, 2024.↩
    10. Indiana Lumbermens Insurance Company (NAIC #14265) changed its name to HDI Global Select Insurance Company. The effective date of the change is March 27, 2024.↩
    11. GENERAL STAR NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY (NAIC #11967) voluntarily relinquished their Admitted Reinsurer status effective July 1, 2024. Additionally, the company was approved as a Treasury Certified Surety effective July 1, 2024. ↩
    12. CERITY INSURANCE COMPANY (NAIC #10006) voluntarily relinquished their Treasury Certificate of Authority effective August 16, 2023. Additionally, the company was approved as an Admitted Reinsurer effective August 16, 2023.

Last modified 12/04/24