KY non-participating manufacturer bonds.
Quote on review.

A tobacco manufacturer that did not join the Master Settlement Agreement — a non-participating manufacturer (NPM) — must escrow funds on the cigarettes it sells in Kentucky. KRS 131.602(10) lets an NPM post a surety bond as a financial instrument in lieu of part of that escrow, in an amount that is the greater of $50,000 or its largest required escrow over the prior twelve quarters. Because these amounts run large, we quote the premium after a quick review.

For a non-participating tobacco manufacturer selling cigarettes in Kentucky
Amount is the greater of $50,000 or your largest escrow over the prior 12 quarters
Quote on review — enter the required amount and we return a price
Quoteon review of your amountA-ratedA.M. Best carriersNo SSNin the application
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BDG
Capital
McKinney
Terra
JLL
Triple Five
Georgetown
How it works

Apply, quoted, filed.

NPM bonds run large, so we quote the premium after a quick review rather than issuing sight-unseen. Here is the whole process:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your business details, the bond amount the statute requires, and the effective date — that is the entire application. The application collects no credit information.

WITHIN 48 HOURS

Reviewed & quoted

An underwriter reviews your amount and escrow history and returns a price. If a check is ever needed on a bond this size, it is a soft pull that never affects your score.

SAME DAY AS APPROVAL

File with the Attorney General

Submit the executed bond (the Kentucky NPM surety bond form) to the Office of the Attorney General. Wet-ink originals mailed on request.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the NPM bond actually covers

Under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, manufacturers that did not sign — non-participating manufacturers — must place money in a qualified escrow account each quarter, based on the cigarettes they sell in Kentucky, under the escrow statutes KRS 131.600 to 131.602. The escrow is a safeguard against future liability.

KRS 131.602(10) lets an NPM (or its importer) post a financial instrument — including a surety bond — as security in connection with that obligation. The amount is the greater of $50,000 or the largest required escrow due from the manufacturer or its predecessor over the immediately preceding twelve calendar quarters.

The bond runs to the benefit of the Commonwealth and is filed with the Office of the Attorney General, which administers NPM certification and the tobacco directory. If the NPM fails to fund the escrow, the state can recover against the bond — and if the surety pays, the manufacturer repays the surety. Enter your required amount and we return a quote after review.

KRS 131.602(10) (KRS 131.600–131.602)Kentucky's tobacco escrow statutes (KRS 131.600 to 131.602) require non-participating manufacturers to escrow funds quarterly on cigarettes sold in Kentucky. KRS 131.602(10) permits a financial instrument, including a surety bond, in an amount equal to the greater of $50,000 or the greatest required escrow amount due from the non-participating manufacturer or its predecessor over the immediately preceding twelve calendar quarters. The bond is filed with the Office of the Attorney General. Confirm your required amount before filing.

You need this bond if you are

A non-participating tobacco manufacturer selling cigarettes or roll-your-own in Kentucky
An importer of NPM products responsible for the Kentucky escrow obligation
Seeking Kentucky tobacco directory certification that conditions listing on the financial instrument
Posting a bond in lieu of part of the escrow under KRS 131.602(10)

One short form to apply. Quoted within 48 hours.

Submit the application with your required bond amount — an underwriter reviews it and returns a price, then the bond is ready to file with the Attorney General.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Kentucky NPM bond?Because NPM bond amounts run large — the greater of $50,000 or your largest required escrow over the prior twelve quarters — the premium is quoted after review rather than published as a formula. Enter your amount at the application and we'll return a price.
Who requires this bond?Kentucky's tobacco escrow statutes (KRS 131.600 to 131.602) require non-participating manufacturers to fund a quarterly escrow; KRS 131.602(10) lets you post a financial instrument such as a surety bond. The bond is filed with the Office of the Attorney General.
What does the bond guarantee?That you meet your escrow obligation on cigarettes sold in Kentucky. If you fail to fund the escrow, the Commonwealth can recover against the bond — and if the surety pays, you repay the surety. It is a guarantee to the state, not insurance for you.
Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information. Because NPM amounts can be large, review may include a soft credit pull — never a hard inquiry, and it never affects your credit score.
How do I figure out my required amount?It is the greater of $50,000 or the greatest escrow you (or your predecessor) owed in any of the prior twelve calendar quarters. Pull your escrow history, take the largest quarter, and compare it to the $50,000 floor — send it to us and we will confirm before quoting.
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NPM bond, quoted fast.

Quote on review, filed with the Attorney General the same day as approval.

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