Warehouse Bond
Candlefocus EditorWhen signing a warehouse bond solution, the warehouse owner is publicly exposing himself/herself to financial liabilities from risk or damages to buyer's goods. The surety company makes the warehouse liable for the extreme cases, such as theft, fire, water damage or roof collapse. In essence, these companies guarantee the financial integrity of all transactions.
The warehouse bond, then, is an agreement between a third-party surety company and warehouses, whereby the former agrees to pay out a predetermined amount to cover losses of the stored goods in the event of any of the aforementioned events.
Warehouses that obtain such a bond must meet certain criteria in order to qualify, usually involving the concept of solvency, financial resilience and proper storage conditions and maintenance.
It is important to note that, while the warehouse bond is designed to provide financial security to its clients in cases of events that would damage or destroy goods, the warehouse bond is not a cover for situations such as lost or delayed shipments. That falls under a "cargo insurance" policy, which would provide similar protection for goods in transit.
Overall, a warehouse bond is a contractual arrangement that guarantees that a third-party surety company will compensate an individual or business for losses incurred if the warehouse owner fails to meet the contract terms. By obtaining such a bond, warehouse owners expose themselves to a certain level of financial liability and grant their clients reassurance and peace of mind.