Is collateral sometimes required for obtaining surety bonds?

Collateral is often required for obtaining surety bonds, especially in the case of higher-risk applicants. This is because surety companies need to mitigate their risk exposure. When an applicant's financial stability or creditworthiness is questionable, the surety provider may demand collateral as a safeguard. This collateral can act as a form of security that compensates the surety company in the event that the principal defaults on their obligations. The requirement for collateral serves as a protective measure for the surety, reducing the financial risk associated with issuing the bond to individuals or entities with higher perceived risks.

In contrast, other options either incorrectly imply that collateral is never required or limit its requirement to narrow circumstances that do not reflect general practices within the surety industry. Hence, the recognition that higher-risk applicants more commonly require collateral accurately reflects how surety bonds are issued and managed in practice.