Opening a Bail Bond Agency
So, you’re thinking about opening your own bail bond agency?
Well, before you open the doors for the first time, a review of the laws and rules affecting bail bond agents and the operation of Florida bail bond agencies is important. After all, you want to create and maintain a successful agency. Insurance laws are located in Title XXXVII of the Florida Statutes and predominantly in Capítulo 69B del Código Administrativo de la Florida. Specifically, Chapters 648 y 903 should be reviewed by all bail bond agents.
Here’s a quick overview of laws and procedures that new (and not-so-new) agents frequently inquire about, along with the applicable cites, for opening and operating a bail bond agency. If that's not for you, maybe you want to check out the guidelines for opening a general insurance agency y una title insurance agency. Coming soon: adjusting firms.
Owning a bail bond agency
A person may not own or have any control in a bail bond agency unless they are a licensed and appointed bail bond agent. Since the Florida Statutes limit who may be a licensed bail bond agent, the following persons would not be allowed to be a bail bond agency owner nor be employed at a bail bond agency. [s. 648.285 and ss. 648.44(2) F.S.]
- Carceleros o personas empleadas en una cárcel
- Oficiales de policía o empleados de una agencia de policía
- Jueces, empleados de un tribunal o empleados de la secretaría de un tribunal
- Sheriffs y subsheriffs o empleados de cualquier departamento del sheriff
- Abogados
- Personas con poder para arrestar o personas que tienen autoridad o control sobre prisioneros
- Any person who has been convicted or pleaded guilty or no contest to a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude
Obtaining Forms
You may download forms en nuestro sitio web.
Please make sure you view these references:
Florida Statute sections
648.285 Bond agency; ownership requirements
648.29 Build-up funds posted by bail bond agent
648.295 Reporting and accounting of funds
648.33 Bail bond rates
648.36 Bail bond agent's records
648.42 Registration of bail bond agents
648.44 Prohibitions; penalty
648.441 Furnishing supplies to unlicensed bail bond agent prohibited
648.442 Collateral security
648.55 All bail bond agents of same agency; licensed by same companies
648.571 Failure to return collateral; penalty
Florida Administrative Code rules
69B-221.095 Soliciting Business
69B-221.110 Premium Shall Be Term Charge; Premium Refund; When
69B-221.145 Use of Credit Cards and Cash Advance Facilities in Conjunction with Issuing Bail Bonds
Good luck with your new agency!