New India Assurance Co Ltd on Friday announced the launch of its Surety Bond business, making it the second insurer to offer the same in the country. Surety bonds legally enforceable tripartite contracts that guarantee compliance, payment and performance. The insurance company provides an underwriting guarantee, for a premium, in case of a default in execution of a project.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) permitted general insurers to issue Surety Insurance Bonds since April 2022.
It assures one party – the obligee, that the party responsible for project or service delivery – the principal, delivers on the project in a timely manner by adhering to the prescribed stipulations. The principal is also reassured that the surety will assume responsibility for timely payments. If the principal defaults on the performance, the Surety Insurance provider pays damages to the obligee.
Key features of the product:
Surety Bonds are underwriting guarantees that ensure compliance, payment and/or performance
Indemnifies the client against damages resulting from non- performance or fraudulent and incomplete delivery of projects
Offers a more convenient option than bank guarantees
May enable small developers to bid for large infrastructure projects Commenting on the launch, Neerja Kapur, Chairman cum Managing Director, New India Assurance Co Ltd. said, "Surety Bonds will soon revolutionise the dynamics of India’s infrastructure industry. Surety Bond Insurance will act as a security shield for infrastructure projects and protect the interests of both the contractor and the principal. In today’s increasingly uncertain and volatile business environment, our Surety Bonds will provide much-needed financial reassurance to all parties involved in infrastructure projects. Going forward, we believe that surety bonds will drive India’s infrastructure push. We aspire to grow in the surety insurance business in India and are geared up for it."
For small businesses, surety bonds are a useful tool as the collateral requirements of insurance companies are mostly less than Bank Guarantees. Surety Bonds can enable smaller infrastructure developers to compete with larger, more established players for bigger contracts.
The authorities issuing the contracts, usually Governments, are generally hesitant to deal with smaller contractors as they are apprehensive about timely delivery. When the contractors furnish a Surety Bond, the authorities will readily consider them as the bonds indemnify them to the extent of the bond issued in the event of non-performance.
