The lives of private investigators and detectives exude mystery and secrecy. But one thing we can be sure of about the profession is how surety insurance is put in place to protect consumers from shifty, deceitful investigators and detectives.
For starters, it’s important to recognize that the terms private investigator bond and private detective bond are used interchangeably, as both refer to the same bonding terms and conditions. They both work like other license and permit bonds in that they are required of certain professionals or businesses before they can receive an operating license.
Private investigator bonds encourage a licensee to follow all regulations related to their work as a private investigator or detective. For example, if an investigator or detective were to accept payment from a client and then fail to fulfill the services for which he was contracted, the client could make a claim on the bond. The bond would then hold the investigator—or possibly the surety—accountable for rectifying the problem, which might include paying reparation up to bond’s full value.
Although bonding requirements vary by state, professionals who might need to secure a private detective or investigator bond include:
- private investigators
- investigative assistants
- private investigative agencies
- private security agencies
- protective security agencies
- watch guard/patrol agencies
- security guards
- security guard agencies
- burglar alarm system contractors
- bail enforcement agencies
The penal sum for a private investigator bond also varies depending on specific requirements. For example, West Virginia professionals only need a bond in the amount of $2,500 whereas New Hampshire professionals need the bond to be $50,000. On average, most states require private investigator bonds to be in the amount of $10,000.
Some variables that affect the bond’s penal sum include whether the bond is for an individual or a company working in the field, in addition to considering if the detective or investigator is a resident of the state he needs to be bonded in. In Oklahoma, private investigators and security guards who will be armed must be bonded for $10,000 while those who will be unarmed must only be bonded for $5,000. Watch our video to learn more about Oklahoma private investigator surety bonds.
While the majority of private investigators and detectives are out there performing difficult and reputable work, it’s good to know that there are preventative measures in place to protect consumers from the few might take advantage of their cunning skills.
