In part one of this two-part blog, we went over some of the basic ways a bail bondsman assists you if you or a loved one has been arrested. A high-level bondsman not only assists with the posting of bail, but also with a few other important parts of the process you might need help with.

At Beehive Bail Bonds, our bail bond agents are here to help anytime this happens to you, a loved one or a friend. Our agents often go well above the scope of our requirements, including driving clients home, coming to you to receive payment, and other areas that help make this difficult time a bit simpler and more convenient. In today’s blog, we’ll go over several of the questions and areas you should be inquiring about when looking into hiring us or any other bond agent.

Current Local Licensure

No matter what, any bail bondsman you work with should first be fully locally certified. This certification should be current and up-to-date for the area you or your loved one is incarcerated in.

What happens if the agent you hire is not certified? Well, you have to pay more for the same service. In this case, this bondsman will have to hire another in the same position to actually post the bail amount, and a “posting” fee will come with this – and it’s you who will have to pay that fee.

Fees and Charges

Not all bail bondsman offer the same rates or fees for their services, and you should be completely sure you understand the full scope of what you’re paying for. The rough average fee percentage is 10 percent of the bail amount, but this can vary slightly. If you see a number well above or below this range, inquire further as to why.

Better Business Bureau Listing

In addition to local licensure, check if the bondsman is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, or BBB. If so, you can check their rating and see if they have any major complaints or issues. At Beehive Bail Bonds, we’re proud to maintain an A+ rating with the BBB.

Length of Process

In addition to the above, inquire with your potential bond agent about how long the process will take, particularly how long it will take for you or your loved one to be released from jail if everything goes right. Experienced agents can give you a general range here, or sometimes a specific date.

Indemnitor Requirements

If you are acting as the indemnitor for a friend or loved one, ask the bondsman in advance about what will be required of you. Know that you’ll be responsible for the bond if your friend or loved one fails to fulfill their responsibility to the court.

For more on what to ask a bail bondsman in advance of hiring them for their services, or to learn about any of our bail bond services, speak to the staff at Beehive Bail Bonds today.