N America News May 2017

84 NORTH AMERICA NEWS / MAY 2017 , South Coast Surety is one of the largest bond only agencies in the United States. As a National SuretyManaging General Agency, South Coast Surety provides the largest range of surety products for insurance brokers and direct accounts. We interviewed the firm’s President and CEO Steven Swartz to learnmore about THE firm’s focus and his own crucial role within it. Bonding Time South Coast Surety only write surety, assuring that they have the right in- house underwriting authority and surety carriers to produce the needed surety support. President and CEO Steven Swartz is responsible for the general management of the firm, with an impressive 35 years’ experience in the finance industry under his belt. He begins the interview by telling us about the background to the firm, the role his staff play in it and what they focus on. “I started South Coast Surety more than a decade ago. I do all administration and production for the entire on line resource system. I control all aspects of South Coast Surety’s marketing and sales. I also manage the office technical information scheme. Additionally, I am the primary contract surety underwriter and special commercial programs underwriter. “The staff at South Coast Surety are seasoned specialists in a wide variety of surety bond types. While Southern California had been our primary service area, our firm has grown to encompass all states nationwide and surety bond specialties. We are now among the largest commercial and contract bond surety producing agencies in the U.S.” “Our team is comprised of experienced surety producers and support personnel. The combined knowledge and understanding of the industry enables us to effectively and efficiently handle all our client’s surety bond needs. Our efforts are enhanced by extensive surety lines and in-house authority. Our firm’s focus on being strictly a surety bond agency ensures that we have the experience and skill to provide answers to a wide variety of surety bond needs.” Steven adds that to warrant that their clients are provided with the maximum available bonding capacity and efficient servicing, South Coast Surety has sought out and can represent most major insurance companies writing surety in the United States. Steven then explains this point in more detail and explains their Bad Credit Surety Bond Program. “Our knowledge combined with these market relationships has created a close-knit crew that makes a difference with better rates, larger limits and more responsive bonding service. South Coast Surety has established in-house authority which has enabled us to be more responsive to our client and producing broker needs. We have also reached out and developed programs that can assist a wide spectrum of the business community. “The firm has used or uses most of the available admitted surety markets in the area. Please see our market list (https:// southcoastsurety.com/market- list) for some of the surety companies we either presently or have previously written with. “Included in our many surety bond programs is our Bad Credit Surety Bond Program. We have several surety companies that will approve commercial and miscellaneous surety bonds for individuals and companies with less than standard credit. While the above program is not for contract bonds, we do have an express bond program that provides aggressive support.” Steven adds that almost any commercial and miscellaneous bond may be written through the firm’s Bad Credit Surety Bond Program, if there are no prior surety losses nor child support issues. “This includes Mortgage Broker Bonds, Finance Lender Bonds, Motor Vehicle Dealer Bonds, Contractor’s License Bonds, Court Bonds, Permit Bonds, General License Bonds and most other surety bonds. Many start- up businesses are also subject to bonding declinations. This is not because of bad credit, but a LACK of credit history to review. New companies may also qualify under this Bond Program” Steven concludes. 1704CA01 South Coast Surety customer comments “Very glad to have been doing business with you for three years it been very great. Thank you.” Hazel Franklin “Your staff was very pleasant and I will use SCS on my future bond needs!” Brian Clark “Wonderful first experience. Sharon Cooney has been MOST helpful as we worked through a difficult bond to secure. Our sincere thanks.” Elizabeth & Spencer Gray, Spencer E. Gray, JR. LLC “Your team is great! Thank you!” Cathy Jeffris, Farmers Agent “Kelly Specht was great. I appreciate all her help” Debbie, Western Insurance Marketing Corporation “For those of us who take care and do good work a license bond should not be a big expense. However, some insurers seem to think we should pay high premiums and South Coast keeps those rates down. Thank you!” George C. Chase “Don’t change a thing. You are super in every way. It’ a pleasure to deal with people who are good at what they do.” Henry Morgan “Any time I have needed a proposal or service, I have always received Great service. Thank you” G. Scott