In certain situations, such as owning corporate stock, holding a promissory note, or possessing another valuable document, safeguarding your investment through a surety bond may become necessary. This ensures protection in the event that the legal instrument is lost, stolen, or destroyed. To address such circumstances, a lost instrument surety bond can be obtained to facilitate the issuance of the document.
Coverage for lost instruments and surety bonds
A “lost instrument” is a broad term encompassing various valuable legal documents that have been lost, stolen, or destroyed. Some common examples of lost instruments include:
- Corporate stock certificates
- Corporate bonds
- Municipal bonds
- Promissory notes
- Mortgages
- Security agreements
- Deeds
- Title documents for motor vehicles and other assets
- Insurance policies
- Certificates of deposit
- Personal or business checks
- Money orders
- Cashier’s checks
In the context of lost instruments, a surety bond is a legal agreement involving three parties:
- The principal: the individual or entity that possessed the lost instrument.
- The obligee: the entity that issued the lost instrument.
- The surety: the company that provides the surety bond.
A surety bond is a form of insurance for the obligee, with the principal paying the premium. The surety guarantees to pay the obligee a specific amount if any legal claims, including situations related to the replacement of the lost instrument or a maintenance bond. This situation could occur if the original lost instrument resurfaces in someone else’s possession and a demand for payment is made.
If the surety ends up making a payment to the obligee, the surety will then seek reimbursement from the principal. Should the principal locate the original missing document later, the terms of a lost instrument bond typically require the principal to surrender it to either the bonding company or the obligee.
Different types of surety bonds for lost instruments
Surety bonds for lost instruments are categorized into two types based on the nature of the instrument:
- Fixed Penalty Bond: This type of bond is required when the value of the lost instrument remains constant and does not fluctuate over time. For instance, a fixed penalty bond would be appropriate if a $500 money order goes missing.
- Open Penalty Bond: An open penalty bond is utilized when the value of the lost instrument is variable and subject to change over time. For example, if a certificate for 100 shares of corporate stock is lost, and the value of each share can fluctuate, an open penalty bond would be necessary.
Obtaining a bond
When the principal informs the obligee about the loss of a document and requests a replacement, there are typically two requirements imposed by the obligee:
- Provide an affidavit – The principal must furnish an affidavit, signed before a notary public, which certifies the loss and agrees to indemnify the obligee for any potential loss.
- Obtain a lost instrument surety bond – The obligee will specify the necessary steps to obtain a replacement document, such as submitting an affidavit of lost stock certificate or the lost promissory note. Additionally, depending on state laws, a surety bond may be required.
To acquire a lost instrument surety bond, a waiting period of at least 30 days from the time of loss is generally necessary. The principal must complete an application and submit it to a bonding company. The application should include details about the date of loss and an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the loss. Financial information must be provided to assess their creditworthiness if the applicant is an individual or a business entity.
The bond amount is determined based on the value of the lost instrument and may exceed its face amount. For instance, if a promissory note worth $10,000 is lost, the required bond might be one and a half times that amount, or $15,000.
Surety bond premiums are calculated based on the bond amount and can vary depending on factors like the applicant’s creditworthiness, the state, and the bonding company. The premium may be a set percentage of the lost instrument’s value, or there could be a flat fee for bonds up to a certain threshold, with incremental increases for higher-value instruments. For example, the fee could be $100 for any bond up to $5,000, with an additional $20 for each additional $1,000. Bonds are typically issued for one year, although the obligee may require coverage for a longer duration.
If you misplace a valuable document, the initial step is to inform the obligee and inquire about the requirements for obtaining a replacement. If a lost instrument surety bond is necessary, you will need to contact a bonding company to apply for the bond.