Surety Bonds

Discover affordable surety bonds for all your business needs. Stay compliant and protect your business with expert assistance.

December 31, 2025
truck driving on highway hauling oil products
December 31, 2025
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Fuel Tax Bonds, Sales Tax Bonds, and Highway Use Tax Bonds: Who Needs Them?

Tax bonds are important financial guarantees that keep businesses compliant with state and federal tax laws. For companies involved in transportation, logistics, or any regulated industry, these bonds are more than paperwork. They act as crucial tools for compliance and risk management. Whether you distribute fuel, run a retail store, or operate a fleet of trucks, understanding tax bonds is essential for your operation.  This guide explores the three primary bond types you might encounter if you own a transportation business: fuel tax bonds, sales tax bonds, and highway use tax bonds. We will look at who needs them, why they matter, and what can happen if you fail to comply. Understanding Tax Bonds Surety bonds in the context of taxation are agreements that protect government interests. When a business acquires a tax bond, it promises to pay all required taxes and follow applicable laws. If the business fails to […]
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November 25, 2025
November 25, 2025
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How to File a BMC-84 or BMC-85 Claim: A Clear Guide 

Handling Freight Broker Non-Payment as a Carrier or Shipper Once carriers and shippers have met their end of a contract, freight brokers are legally obligated to pay as part of their end of the contract. But what happens if you’ve completed a haul and delivered as promised, and the freight broker refuses payment or suddenly drops off the radar? Carriers and shippers know this scenario too well. The work is done, but the payment is missing, leaving your business in the red and chasing what you rightfully earned. Fortunately, the broker’s BMC-84 Surety Bond or BMC-85 Trust Agreement exists for exactly these situations. These safeguards help the broker meet their financial obligations and ensure carriers and shippers get paid after completing their work. Filing a Claim with PFA Transportation Insurance and Surety Services Filing a claim is the most effective path to seek recovery. At PFA, we go beyond being […]
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October 20, 2025
Guide to ARTRANS performance bonds (formerly known as SDDC)
October 20, 2025
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How to Get Started in Military Freight with ARTRANS Performance Bonds

Why the Military Freight Market Matters The military freight market is one of the most stable and high-volume opportunities in the transportation industry. At the center of this market is the U.S. Army Transportation Command (ARTRANS), formerly known as the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). ARTRANS oversees the global movement of military equipment and supplies by surface transport, managing everything from trucks and rail to port shipments. Benefits of Working with Military Freight  For transportation companies, military freight offers unique advantages. Once in, your company gains access to a consistent, reputable stream of freight opportunities backed by the U.S. government. Maintaining your ARTRANS bond is worth it if your goal is long-term, stable growth. Beyond the financial appeal, hauling military freight builds credibility. Consistent performance with military contracts helps position your company as a serious player in government contracting. What is the ARTRANS Performance Bond? The ARTRANS Performance […]
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May 2, 2023
May 2, 2023
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The Benefits of Working with a Trusted Commercial Surety Bond Provider

A commercial surety bond is a legal contract that provides financial protection to one party in the event that the other party fails to fulfill its obligations. If you are in need of a commercial surety bond, it is important to work with a provider that you can trust. Here are some of the benefits of working with a trusted commercial surety bond provider. What is a Commercial Surety Bond? Before we dive into the benefits of working with a trusted provider, let’s first understand what a commercial surety bond is. A commercial surety bond is a three-party agreement that involves the principal (the party that needs the bond), the obligee (the party that requires the bond), and the surety (the provider of the bond). The bond ensures that the principal will fulfill its obligations as outlined in the contract. Benefits of Working with a Trusted Commercial Surety Bond Provider […]
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March 16, 2023
March 16, 2023
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Commercial Surety Bonds: What You Need to Know

Commercial surety bonds can be a bit of a mystery to those who are unfamiliar with them. However, they are an essential tool for many businesses, providing a valuable layer of protection against financial losses and other risks. In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of the basics of commercial surety bonds, including what they are, why they matter, and how they work. What are commercial surety bonds? A commercial surety bond is a contract between three parties: the principal (the business or individual that needs the bond), the obligee (the entity that requires the bond), and the surety (the company that issues the bond). The bond serves as a guarantee that the principal will fulfill their obligations according to the terms of the bond. Why are commercial surety bonds important? Commercial surety bonds are important because they help to ensure that businesses fulfill their obligations and responsibilities. For […]
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November 25, 2020
November 25, 2020
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Seasonal Challenges

The sheer volume of holiday shipping this year is unprecedented due to people shopping online like never before. The truckers currently navigating America’s roadways are a sure sign that Santa Claus is coming to town. Add freezing rain and snow along with a global pandemic, and you may have yourself a headache, especially if you’re in the transportation business. Holiday and winter seasonal challenges for transportation industry leaders include: Bad weather: Snow, freezing rain, black ice. If you live north of the Mason-Dixon Line, you tend to be old pros when it comes to the ravages of winter. Most trucking companies cross into serious winter weather no matter where they are headquartered. All the safety precautions apply here – including knowing when to stay off the road. Equipping your drivers with the latest apps and weather media channels – including The Weather Channel and Weather Underground – is a smart […]
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March 31, 2020
March 31, 2020
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Roadmap To Success – Thinking Outside of the Box

With a supply chain in flux, those of you who think outside of the box and expand your horizons will come out of this period stronger than before. That calls for new specialties. In the same way that General Motors is manufacturing respirators and shoe companies such as New Balance are producing masks, there will be opportunities for you to move beyond your comfort zone in the immediate near future. When one door closes, others could open. It means taking advantage of opportunities that have arisen such as shippers with high demand. It also means considering specific regional freight needs. Do you need to shift some of your resources to other parts of the country? This kind of thinking is not only important for you in protecting your business and ensuring your success – to put it in PFA language – it is important for entire sectors and for the […]
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May 23, 2016
May 23, 2016
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Stay Compliant: Update Your Information with the FMCSA

FMCSA Phased Rollout of Unified Registration System The FMCSA launched a phased rollout of the Unified Registration System (URS). All new registration applicants are currently using the new URS Application. Existing registrants (entities that have a USDOT number and/or operating authority) can update their information using all of the existing processes – online and paper forms – until September 30, 2016. After this date, existing registrants will use the new URS as well. Any time a carrier or other regulated entity changes its name or address, or other details in their record, they should update their USDOT and operating authority record with the FMCSA in a timely manner. In addition, the FMCSA requires all entities under its jurisdiction to update their information every two years. Per the FMCSA, failure to complete a Biennial Update will result in deactivation of your USDOT number and may result in civil penalties of up […]
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