Every Agent Needs a Wingman

In surety, the best agents don't fly solo. Neither should you. .

Great accounts aren't won alone. Behind every agent who closes the hard deal is a surety partner who had their back the whole way; answering the questions, talking through the tough spots, and stepping up exactly when it counts. Anyone can be there when things are easy. The best partners are right beside you when things get tough.

Cliff Spickler, a surety agent with Insurica, has seen surety from every side, he grew up in the construction industry, spent time as an underwriter, and now works the agency side. When someone with that background tells you what makes a great underwriting relationship, you listen. For him, a true partner by his side comes down to:

Too many agents know the frustration of submitting into a void and waiting days for a decision that could have taken a phone call. Or getting a no without an explanation or a path forward.

And there's a lot more at stake than just feeling frustrated. Not only does poor communication result in lost opportunities and stalled accounts, it shakes clients' confidence in you, putting your reputation at risk. That's why you need a surety partner you can trust to keep the lines of communication open.

Technical skill matters. But it only goes so far. When you have a bond that needs to move fast, a client with a complicated story, or a situation that requires a real conversation, those are the moments you need your surety partner in the conversation. And that's when you find out whether your surety relationship is real or transactional.

At Merchants Bonding Company, availability isn't a perk. It's foundational. And it starts with being local. Merchants’ national footprint means underwriters who are hired in your market, know your region, and are invested in your success, not just your submissions. Our senior staff are genuinely reachable, and we've fostered a culture where agents and underwriters actually talk to each other.

With the right surety partner, everything else follows. Accounts move faster. Clients stay confident. And agents build the kind of book that comes from having a surety partner who's genuinely in their corner and working the problem alongside them, not just processing submissions.

Because the underwriter who has your back isn't just doing their job. They're your wingman.

let merchants be your wingman

Independent agents interested in getting appointed with Merchants can submit an appointment inquiry, and a surety representative will contact you to gather additional information and answer any questions you may have.