Commercial Surety Claims
How To File A Claim
Claim Reporting Information
Old Republic Surety writes thousands of different commercial surety bonds in all 50 states. This makes it impractical to list the information needed to support every type of claim that may occur. We have, however, supplied some key information for the most frequent surety claims we experience in an effort to streamline your claim and ensure you have the proper procedure.
Here are some important things to note when making a claim for a commercial surety bond:
- We will need a copy of the contract between the parties, if available
- Documentation regarding any payments issued or received
- A narrative explaining what the problem is and what resolution you are seeking
- If you have filed a complaint with any governmental agency regarding this matter, please also provide a copy of that complaint and any response
During the course of our investigation of the claim, it may be necessary to request additional information or documentation.
Common Commercial Surety Bond Claims
A claimant may notify Old Republic Surety's claims department of a potential claim under an Arizona Contractors License Bond by email, fax, or regular mail. However, please note that per Arizona law (A.R.S. 32-1152) a person seeking recovery from the bond "shall maintain an action at law" against both the contractor and surety if claiming against the surety bond.
For a California Contractors License Bond claim, it is not necessary to submit your information in writing to open a claim. However, once a file has been opened, we will request written documentation from you. As every claim situation is unique, additional information or documentation may be required as the investigation proceeds and will be requested, as needed.
Please contact our office by phone, fax, email, or regular mail.
To present a claim under an Oregon Construction Contractors Board Bond, Oregon Statute 701.145 (residential) or 701.146 (commercial) requires you must first contact the Oregon Construction Contractors Board to initiate a complaint. You may contact the Board as follows:
Oregon Construction Contractors Board
700 Summer Street NE, Suite 300
Salem, OR 97309-5052
Phone: 503-378-4621
To initiate a claim, please provide Old Republic Surety with a copy of your invoice, rate confirmation and Bill of Lading.
To proceed with a claim, a suit typically must be filed against the Principal and Surety in accordance with RCW 18.27.040. There are also specific time limitations that may apply. We are unable to give any legal advice regarding your claim. Please contact Washington counsel for any additional information you may need to ensure statutory compliance.
Upon receipt of a claim notice, the matter is assigned to a claims representative and a claim file is established. We then begin an investigation of the claim. A surety bond is a three-party agreement; we therefore will notify the Principal of the claim being asserted and will request their position regarding this claim. Because each situation is unique it is impractical to determine, at the outset, how long an investigation will take. Various states have regulations regarding the investigation of claims. Old Republic policy is to meet or exceed all state regulations regarding the fair and equitable handling of claims.
Should a claim be made against you, a file will be established and a claims representative will be in contact with you.
Claim Contact Information
Old Republic Surety
Attn: Claims Department
PO Box 1635
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Email: claims@orsurety.com
Phone: (262) 797-2640, option 2
Toll Free: (800) 217-1792, option 2
Claims Payment Portal
Overnight deliveries please use street address:
Old Republic Surety
Attn: Claims Department
18500 W Corporate Drive, Suite 170
Brookfield, WI 53045