CALIFORNIA BAIL BOND RATES

Know the rate.
Understand the cost.

10% Standard. 8% Preferred. 7% for qualifying attorney referrals with the premium paid in full.

A clear explanation of the premium before you move forward. Call House of Bail Bonds to confirm the rate and requirements for your bond.

Talk through your options · 1-800-944-2249

Available 24/7 · California Bail License #1843860

THREE STATE-BOND RATE CATEGORIES

The percentage is only part of the picture.

10%

Standard

State bail bonds

The standard state-bond premium shown in the rate schedule.

$50 for bonds up to $500; 10% above $500.

Preferred

For qualifying bonds

Available under the filed categories: qualified union membership, private defense counsel, government employment, or full collateral with real property.

$50 for bonds up to $600; 8% above $600.

Attorney Referral

Full premium paid in full

For qualifying attorney referrals with the full premium paid and applicable documentation completed.

$50 for bonds up to $700; 7% above $700.

“Preferred” is our description for the qualifying 8% category. Eligibility and approval must be confirmed. These are total premium rates, not down-payment percentages. The 7% category requires full premium payment.

SEE THE NUMBERS

Compare your estimated premium.

Enter the court-set bail amount to compare state-bond premiums. The calculator applies the $50 small-bond amounts at the thresholds listed in the rate sheet.

Estimates show premium only. They do not establish eligibility, include additional permitted expenses, or guarantee approval. The qualifying rate is confirmed during review.

Bail amount: $50,000

10% Standard

$5,000

8% Preferred*

$4,000

7% Attorney*

$3,500

*Qualification required. The 7% rate requires the full premium paid.

WHO MAY QUALIFY?

What the 8% preferred category covers.

Qualified union membership

The defendant or indemnitor is a member of a qualifying union.

Private defense counsel

A practicing defense attorney is retained for or on behalf of the defendant in the case covered by the bond.

Government employment

The defendant or indemnitor is currently employed by a U.S. city, county, state, or federal government agency.

Full real-property collateral

Real property secures the bond exposure, with unencumbered value exceeding 100% of the bond amount.

How is the 7% attorney category different?

It is the attorney-referral category with full premium payment. Having private counsel alone does not automatically establish eligibility for the 7% rate. We confirm the referral, documentation, and payment requirements.

Explore attorney referrals →

BEFORE YOU RESPOND TO A “1%” AD

“1% bail bonds” usually means 1% down.

A low advertised percentage can be a marketing tactic to get you through the door. It often highlights the initial payment, while the rest of the premium is still owed. A smaller down payment does not necessarily mean a cheaper bail bond.

1%DOWN PAYMENT
≠ TOTAL COST

In this example: 10% of the premium paid now · 90% still owed

EXAMPLE · $50,000 BAIL · 10% TOTAL PREMIUM

Advertised 1% down

$500

Remaining premium

$4,500

Total premium

$5,000

Illustration only, before any permitted additional expenses or disclosed financing costs. This is not an offer of a 1% down plan from House of Bail Bonds.

Ask for the total, not just the first payment.

Is 1% the down payment or the entire premium?
What is the total dollar amount I will owe?
What are the installments, due dates, and any financing charges?
What qualifications, cosigners, or collateral are required?

A properly disclosed low-down-payment plan can help a qualifying family. Terms vary by agency and approval; the headline alone does not tell you the full cost. Get the complete terms in writing before signing.

Want a clear explanation? Call 1-800-944-2249 →

PREMIUM. PAYMENT. COLLATERAL.

Three different things.

The bail amount is set by the court. The premium is the cost of the bail bond. A payment plan changes when an approved premium is paid; it does not automatically change the total rate.

Explore payment options

Ask before you sign

What is the full premium?
Which rate category applies?
Are any additional expenses permitted?
What are the payment and collateral requirements?

Collateral secures the bond obligation and is separate from the premium. Requirements are reviewed for the individual bond.

Common rate questions.

Does every California bail company charge the same rate?

No universal percentage is set by statute. California’s Department of Insurance explains that each surety files its rates, and agents representing that surety must charge those filed rates. Confirm the applicable schedule for your bond.

Is 7% a down payment?

No. In this category, 7% is the qualifying premium rate and the full premium must be paid. It is not a 7% down-payment offer.

What about federal bonds?

The supplied United States Fire Insurance Company schedule lists $50 for federal bonds up to and including $350, and 12% for federal bonds above $350. Federal bonds are separate from the state-bond comparisons above. Call to confirm availability and applicable terms.

Can I qualify just because I own a home?

Home ownership by itself is not the real-property category described in this schedule. That category requires full collateral with real property and unencumbered value exceeding 100% of the bond being written.

Rate schedule & official information

This guide summarizes the Bail USA / United States Fire Insurance Company California rate notice, form S-0008US (07/22), showing an effective date of April 25, 2012. The applicable filed schedule and eligibility must be confirmed for the bond.

View the Bail USA rate notice (PDF) ↗California Department of Insurance: bail bonds ↗

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. REAL PEOPLE.