Can You Really Trust Your Bail Bondsman? Learn How to Tell

If you or a loved one has had a run in with the law, you want to ensure that you can pay bail as quickly as possible. For this, you will want the best bail bonds provider in town.

While there are a number of excellent bail bondsmen around, there are also, unfortunately, plenty of unscrupulous sharks and grifters lying in wait to take advantage of your desperation.

Here are some things you should look out for to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable and honest bail bonds provider.

Licensing and Certification

If the bail bonds company you’re considering is legitimate, they will be licensed by the California Department of Insurance. If they don’t list licensing information on their website, you can look up the status of their license on the California Department of Insurance’s website.

Also, the bail bond agents working for the company should be certified, assuring you that they have undergone the necessary training. Don’t be afraid to ask to see their licenses.

Online Reviews

Another quick way to ascertain whether a bail bondsman is legit is to seek out reviews and ratings others might have left the company on platforms like Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau, among others.

If you see good feedback and overall positive ratings, it’s more likely that you’re dealing with a trustworthy company. Negative reviews are not necessarily a sign of a bad actor though, so be measured in your research.

What you really want to look out for are bail bonds providers who have no online presence at all. This is a sign that you should exercise caution.

Transparency

Lastly, you should make sure that the company offers clear and detailed information about the bail process, fees, and terms of the bond. If the information is scant, contradictory, or non-existent, rather avoid that company. Any bail bondsman you can trust will be more than happy to provide this information upfront on their website.

Also, keep an eye on their fee structure. In California, the law dictates that the fee for bail bonds be set at 10% of the total bail amount. Bail bonds companies that charge more or less than this should be treated with suspicion.

If you’re looking for the best bail bonds provider in San Luis Obispo, California, contact ABC Bail Bonds for a free consultation today!