Florida yacht & ship broker bonds.
$500.

Florida law requires a $25,000 surety bond before the state issues a yacht or ship broker license under the Yacht and Ship Brokers’ Act (Fla. Stat. §326.004). Ours is $500 — the price you see is the checkout price, identical for every broker. A quick soft credit check may apply; it never affects your score, and e-signed delivery is 1–2 business days.

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Required for your FL yacht/ship broker license — new applicants and renewals through the DBPR

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Fixed amount, fixed price — $25,000 bond, $500, no quote process

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Soft credit check may apply — never affects your score, and it never changes the price

A-ratedA.M. Best carriersInstantissued the moment you pay2-yr termset by the carrier

Trusted by industry leaders

How it works

Three steps to licensed.

Your broker license is waiting on this bond. Here is the entire process — no broker phone tag:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply once, online

Business details, owner information, effective date. That is the application — the only extra step is a one-time consent to a soft credit pull.

RIGHT AWAY

Approved

Most are approved as soon as you apply. Any credit check run is a soft pull that never affects your score. If it needs a second look, one to two business days at most.

WHEN YOU PAY

E-sign & file with the DBPR

Pay online and receive the executed bond, in the form the division approves, ready to deliver with your broker license application. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the division insists.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the bond actually guarantees

Florida licenses yacht and ship brokers through the DBPR Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes under the Yacht and Ship Brokers’ Act. Before a broker license issues, §326.004 requires the broker to deliver a $25,000 surety bond (or irrevocable letter of credit) to the division.

The bond is conditioned on the broker complying with the terms of any written contract made in connection with the sale or exchange of a yacht or ship, and on not violating the Act. It runs in favor of any person in a transaction who suffers a loss as a result of a violation of §§326.001–326.006.

It is not insurance for you. If a buyer or seller is harmed by fraud, deceit, willful negligence, or a failure to comply with the Act, they can bring an action against the bond — and if the surety pays, you repay the surety. The bond must stay active for the life of your license, so we track it and notify you 60 and 30 days out.

Fla. Stat. §326.004 (Yacht and Ship Brokers’ Act)Under Fla. Stat. §326.004, before a yacht or ship broker license is issued, the broker must deliver to the DBPR division a good and sufficient surety bond (or irrevocable letter of credit) in the sum of $25,000, in a form approved by the division, conditioned on compliance with the broker’s written contracts and the Yacht and Ship Brokers’ Act, in favor of any person in a transaction who suffers a loss from a violation of §§326.001–326.006.

You need this bond if you're

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Applying for a FL yacht or ship broker license — the bond is delivered to the division before the license issues

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Renewing your broker license and your current bond is expiring or your surety non-renewed

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Moving up from salesperson to broker — the broker bond is $25,000, versus $10,000 for a salesperson

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An out-of-state brokerage opening a Florida office and getting licensed here

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual underwriting fields, including a one-time consent to a soft credit pull. Submit once and your bond is issued when you pay.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Florida yacht/ship broker bond?The premium is $500 the same for every broker — that is the checkout price, set by our carrier for this bond. The $25,000 bond amount is set by §326.004, so there is no quote process.

Do I pay the $25,000?No. You pay $500. The $25,000 is the surety's maximum liability if a valid claim is made against the bond — not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.

What is the difference from the salesperson bond?A broker delivers a $25,000 bond under §326.004; a salesperson deposits a $10,000 bond. If you are licensed as a broker, this $25,000 bond is the one you need.

Is there a credit check?A quick soft credit check may apply. It's a soft pull only — never a hard inquiry, and it never affects your score. It informs approval, never the price: the premium is $500 either way.

When does it renew?The bond must stay active for as long as you hold the license. The carrier issues this bond for a single 2-year term; we send renewal notices 60 and 30 days out, with autopay available, so your license never lapses over a missed email.

Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.

How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.

Related bonds

Other Florida bonds.

The DBPR is waiting on one document.

$500 flat, short application, bond issued when you pay. Free until issued.

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Your price$500

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