Tennessee Public Official Bond: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide provides information for insurance agents to help their customers obtain a Tennessee Public Official bond.

At a Glance:

• Lowest Cost: $100 per year or $10 a month
• Bond Amount: Determined on a case-by-case basis (more on this later)
• Who Needs It:  All public officials elected for state, county, or city offices in Tennessee
• Purpose: To protect the public from financial harm if the public official commits fraud or otherwise abuse their position of power
• Who Regulates Public Officials in Tennessee: The Tennessee Secretary of State

Background

Tennessee Code Unannotated 8-19-101 requires all public officials elected for a state, county, or city position to obtain a surety bond before being sworn in for their office term. The Tennessee Legislature enacted the surety bond requirement to ensure that public officials do not abuse their position of power. To provide financial security for enforcing such laws, public officials must purchase and maintain a surety bond to be eligible for their elected position.

What Is the Purpose of the Tennessee Public Official Bond?

Tennessee Code Unannotated 8-19-101 requires all public officials to purchase a surety bond as part of the process of being sworn into office. The bond ensures that restitution is available to any damaged party should the public official fail to abide by the regulations outlined in the Tennessee Code Unannotated Title 8, Chapter 19. Specifically, the bond protects claimants if the public official commits fraud or otherwise abuses their position of power. In short, the bond is a type of insurance that protects the public if the public official violates the terms surrounding their elected position.

How Can an Insurance Agent Obtain a Tennessee Public Official Bond?

BondExchange makes obtaining a Tennessee Public Official bond easy. Simply log in to your account and use our keyword search to find the “public official” bond in our database. Don’t have a login? Enroll now and let us help you satisfy your customers’ needs. Our friendly underwriting staff is available by phone (800) 438-1162, email, or chat from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM EST to assist you.

At BondExchange, our 40 years of experience, leading technology, and access to markets ensures that we have the knowledge and resources to provide your clients with fast and friendly service whether obtaining quotes or issuing bonds.

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How Is the Tennessee Public Official Bond Amount Determined?

The limit on the Tennessee Public Official bond can significantly vary based on the locale and elected official’s position. In most cases, a Public Official Bond limit is determined by the state governor and must be in an amount they deem necessary for any elected official in said department, institution, commission, bureau, board, or agency.

Is a Credit Check Required for the Tennessee Public Official Bond?

If the Tennessee Public Official bond limit is under $50,000, a credit check is not required. Because the bond is considered relatively low risk, the same rate is offered to all public officials in Tennessee regardless of their credit history.

How Much Does the Tennessee Public Official Bond Cost?

The Tennessee Public Official bond typically costs $100 per year or $10 per month. However, if the required bond limit is over $50,000 (this is unlikely), premium costs can vary. In most cases, rates sit at 0.5% of the bond amount.

Who Needs a Public Official Bond in Tennessee?

In most states, many government positions require a surety bond before they may be sworn in for their elected term. Public Official bonds cover town, city, or municipal governments, state government agencies, city and state courts, as well as community and state colleges. 

Below is a general list of elected officials that may be required to obtain a Tennessee Public Official bond:

• Governor
• Mayor
• Attorney General
• State Auditor
• State Treasurer
• Fire Marshall
• Court Clerks
• Sheriff
• Deputy Sheriff
• Constable
• Tax Commissioner
• City Clerks or other City Officials
• Town Clerks or other Town Officials
• County Clerks or other County Officials
• Agents Selling Hunting and Fishing Licenses

The Tennessee Public Official bond must be filed with the office of the Secretary of State before the officeholder may be officially sworn in. The surety bond will generally run concurrently with the public official’s term of office.

BondExchange now offers monthly pay-as-you-go subscriptions for surety bonds. Your customers are able to purchase their bonds on a monthly basis and cancel them anytime. Learn more here.

What Are the Insurance Requirements for Public Officials in Tennessee?

In most cases, Tennessee does not require public officials to purchase any form of liability insurance as a prerequisite to being sworn into office. However, public officials must purchase and maintain a surety bond.

How Do Public Officials File Their Bonds in Tennessee?

Tennessee public officials should submit their completed bond forms, including the power of attorney, to the office of the Secretary of State (see the mailing address listed below).

           Secretary of State
           3rd Floor Customer Counter
           312 Rosa L Parks Ave
           Nashville, TN 37219

The surety bond requires signatures from the surety company, as well as the elected public official. The surety company should include the following information on the bond form:

• The legal name of the individual buying the bond
• Surety company’s name 
• Date the bond is signed

What Can Tennessee Public Officials Do to Avoid a Claim Against Their Surety Bond?

To avoid claims against their bonds, public officials in Tennessee must follow all regulations regarding their elected position, including some of the most important issues below that tend to cause claims:

• Misrepresentation
• Negligence
• Misfeasance
• Malfeasance
• Fraud

What Other Insurance Products Can Agents Offer Public Officials in Tennessee?

Most governing institutions will purchase liability insurance covering losses pertaining to a public official committing fraud, negligence, or misconduct. Bonds are our only business at BondExchange, so we do not issue any other types of insurance, but our agents often utilize brokers for this specific line of business. A list of brokers in this space can be found here.

How Can Insurance Agents Prospect for Public Official Customers in Tennessee?

Unfortunately, Tennessee does not provide a public list of active public officials in the state. We suggest contacting the Secretary of State here for a list of active public officials in the state. Contact BondExchange for additional marketing resources. Agents can also leverage our print-mail relationships for discounted mailing services.