We recently conducted a state of the bail profession survey amongst bail agents to try and better understand agents’ general impression of the industry, as well as the things they felt were the most important things they wanted from their surety. While the results were all very interesting, the one thing that stood out the most was that agents wanted their surety to help more in fighting bail reform. It stood out because it ranked higher than every other category including rate. The good news is; at AIA Surety, we couldn’t agree more.
As one of the founding members of the American Bail Coalition, the bail profession’s leading advocacy group and surety trade association, AIA has been at the tip of the spear fighting bail reform for decades. From funding lobbyists and referendums to writing articles and research papers to testifying in front of legislative committees, AIA is committed to being one of the most loyal and steadfast defenders of bail. What might shock you is that not all sureties approach the industry in this way. Many sureties decide to let others carry the burden of organizing and funding the effort while they sit on the sidelines and ride the coattails of others. In our opinion, we think all bail sureties should support the bail industry, not just rely on others to do the work.
So, you might be wondering how you can find out if your surety is a leader or a follower. The first thing you can do is visit the ABC website at www.americanbailcoalition.org and see if your surety is a member. The sureties listed on the ABC site are the driving force behind protecting, promoting and defending the bail profession. If your surety is not a member, you need to ask yourself why.
The second thing you can do is talk to your state association. They typically know which sureties are actively supporting and participating in the fight in their specific state. And don’t just look at whether a surety gives money to the state association. While those donations are an important funding source, they are really just a marketing spend by the surety to get exposure to agents. Those donations and sponsorships typically go towards funding continuing education courses and conferences. They are not a true reflection of the surety’s commitment and role in fighting for bail.
The last thing agents can do is simply talk to your surety. Ask how much of the premium that you send them in every report goes back into the business. How much goes specifically into funding lobbyists? How much goes to hiring attorneys? How much goes to funding campaigns? How much goes into political and charitable donations? These are the true measures of support, and as an agent, you have the right to ask you surety if they are committed to the success of your profession.
At AIA Surety we are investing in the future of the bail profession every day. We very much understand that an agent’s ability to write bail is the most important thing. That is why we have never stood by and done nothing. We understand that we have a responsibility to protect every agent’s ability to have a livelihood. Because if agents aren’t able to write bail, then they aren’t able to put food on their table and support their family. And if agents can’t make a living, their sureties can’t either. That is why defending the bail profession in the way we do is such a no brainer. Of course we should support our agents. Of course we should defend their livelihood. It’s too bad not all sureties agree with this approach. Hopefully, agents start playing more of a role in holding their sureties accountable. Hopefully, agents decide to work with sureties that support the industry. Because the more support those sureties like AIA and others get, the better we all will be. We hope you agree and are willing to take action.