Surety Bonding
Meet your bonding requirements efficiently and affordably. We hold an active Surety line of authority in Wisconsin (WI OCI) — serving contractors and businesses statewide.
Surety Licensed in Wisconsin (WI) onlyNPN: 20055600 (WI OCI)OCI Compliant · SSL Secured
Apply for a Surety BondBond Types We Offer
From contractor license bonds to commercial and court bonds, we have the surety solution your business needs — quickly and professionally.
Contractor License Bonds
Required by state and local governments for licensed contractors. Ensures regulatory compliance and protects clients from contractor non-performance.
Commercial Surety Bonds
Covers license and permit bonds, public official bonds, and other bonds required by government agencies for business operations.
Court Bonds
Required by the court system, including appeal bonds, executor bonds, and guardianship bonds to protect parties in legal proceedings.
Fidelity Bonds
Protects businesses against financial losses caused by dishonest or fraudulent acts by employees, covering theft, forgery, and embezzlement.
Proposed: $100,000 CMS RID Bid Surety Bond for Round 2028
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed regulatory update to increase the required bid surety bond for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers competing in Remote Item Delivery (RID) contracts from $50,000 to $100,000. Bidders preparing for the Round 2028 window are advised by CMS to monitor the final rule publication before executing their bond purchases. Merit Protection Group can help your business structure its underwriter profiles ahead of time so you are ready to file the moment the final rule is officially adopted later this year.
Prepare Your RID Bond ProfileSurety bonds are written under Wisconsin authority only (WI OCI, NPN 20055600). DMEPOS suppliers outside Wisconsin should verify surety jurisdiction with a licensed agent in their state. This proposed requirement is pending final CMS publication — do not purchase a Round 2028 bid bond until the final rule is officially adopted. Merit Protection Group does not guarantee bond approval or specific premium rates.
Current Requirement
$50,000
Proposed Round 2028 Amount
$100,000
Applies To
DMEPOS Suppliers in CMS Competitive Bidding
Regulatory Authority
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Surety Underwriting Explained
What Do Surety Companies Look For?
Understanding the 3 C's
Applying for a surety bond is fundamentally similar to applying for a commercial line of credit. Unlike traditional insurance — which anticipates and pools risk for eventual losses — surety companies issue bonds under the strict assumption that an obligation will be successfully fulfilled and no claims will occur. To evaluate whether a business or individual qualifies, surety underwriters rigorously assess what the industry calls The 3 C's of Surety Underwriting.
Quick Reference: The 3 C's
Character — Credit history, industry references, legal standing
Capacity — Personnel, equipment, WIP schedules, internal controls
Capital — Working capital, debt ratios, CPA-prepared financials
Self-qualify before applying to reduce underwriter back-and-forth and accelerate approval.
Character
Reputation & Integrity
Before backing your business financially, a surety company must trust that you will fulfill your contractual obligations and operate ethically. Underwriters evaluate your historical financial behavior to gauge future risk.
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Credit Reports & Scores: Both personal and business credit reports are pulled to review payment history, outstanding debts, tax liens, judgments, or historical bankruptcies.
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Industry References: Underwriters look at references from past clients, material suppliers, architects, or subcontractors to verify that you pay bills and complete jobs on time.
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Legal & Professional Standings: Background checks are performed to ensure there are no active lawsuits or historical regulatory actions against your professional license.
Capacity
Operational Ability to Perform
Capacity measures whether your business physically possesses the experience, infrastructure, manpower, and organizational depth to successfully execute the bonded workload.
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Key Personnel Resumes: Review of management and leadership teams to verify technical expertise in your specific industry or niche.
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Equipment & Resource Management: Assessment of your physical assets, tools, or machinery relative to the scope of your active projects.
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Work in Progress (WIP) Schedules: For construction and contract bonds, underwriters analyze your active project timelines to ensure you are not spreading your operational capacity too thin.
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Internal Controls: Evaluation of your internal bookkeeping, project tracking systems, and cash flow management practices.
Capital
Financial Strength & Stability
Capital represents your business's financial cushion. If a claim is filed against your bond, the surety company needs to know that you have the liquid assets and net worth to rectify the default and reimburse the surety.
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Working Capital & Liquidity: Calculated from your balance sheet (Current Assets minus Current Liabilities) to ensure your day-to-day cash positions can withstand unforeseen project delays.
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Debt-to-Equity Ratios: Underwriters analyze how heavily leveraged your business is, typically looking for a healthy debt ratio well below a 4-to-1 threshold against net worth.
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CPA-Prepared Financial Statements: For larger bond limits, underwriters require fiscal year-end statements — Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement — prepared by an independent Certified Public Accountant.
Underwriting Documentation Checklist
Depending on the bond classification and total dollar amount required, have these documents organized before beginning your application.
| Document Category | Target Items Under Review | Strategic Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Authorizations | Personal and business soft-pull credit checks | Establishes the baseline financial risk tier and premium rate. |
| Corporate Financials | Balance sheets, profit & loss, aging accounts receivable | Verifies institutional liquidity and working capital health. |
| Business Plan & Persona | Entity structure (LLC/Corp), NPNs, professional licenses | Proves operational legitimacy and compliance status. |
| Bank Reference Letters | Active lines of credit, average deposit histories | Validates immediate access to cash if an emergency arises. |
| Continuity Plan | Ownership transitions or key-person life insurance | Demonstrates how the business survives a catastrophic leadership event. |
Why Merit Protection Group
The Benefits of Bonding With Us
We make surety bonding straightforward, affordable, and fast — so you can focus on running your business.
Wisconsin-Licensed Surety Agency
Our active Surety line of authority is held in Wisconsin (WI OCI, NPN 20055600). We serve Wisconsin contractors and businesses exclusively for surety bond needs. Our non-resident licenses in AZ, CO, and UT do not include Surety authority.
Fast, Streamlined Approvals
Through our trusted partner BondExchange, most bonds are approved quickly with minimal paperwork — so you meet regulatory deadlines without the stress.
Access to Top Surety Carriers
We connect you with a network of leading surety carriers, giving you competitive rates and a wide range of bond products tailored to your industry.
Regulatory Compliance Support
Our team ensures your bond meets all applicable state and local regulatory requirements — reducing your legal exposure and keeping your license in good standing.
Dedicated, Expert Guidance
We guide you through every bond type — from contractor license bonds to court bonds — matching you with exactly the right product for your specific situation.
100% Online Process
Apply, get approved, and receive your bond documentation entirely online. No in-person meetings, no delays — just efficient, professional service delivered to your inbox.
Common Surety Bonding Questions Answered
Practical answers to the bonding questions that trip up contractors and business owners most often.
Apply for Your Surety Bond
Connect with our trusted partner BondExchange to get your Wisconsin surety bond approved quickly and affordably. Surety authority held in Wisconsin only.
Apply for a Surety BondReviewed by Tammy Finley, State-Licensed Insurance Agent | NPN: 20055600 | Active Licenses: WI OCI · AZ DIFI · CO DOI | Updated July 2026
Surety Disclaimer: Surety bond products are offered through BondExchange. Bond approval, premium rates, and terms are determined by the surety carrier and are subject to underwriting and state regulatory requirements.
Financial & Tax Disclaimer: Merit Protection Group does not provide financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional or financial adviser before making insurance or financial decisions. Tax implications of insurance products vary by individual circumstance and applicable law.