Douglas Commercial Solicitor Bond: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide provides information for insurance agents to help their customers obtain a Douglas Commercial Solicitor Bond

At a Glance:

• Lowest Cost: $100 per year or $10 per month
• Bond Amount: $10,000
• Who Needs it: All commercial solicitors operating in Douglas, Wyoming that accept advance payments before providing goods or services
• Purpose: To ensure the public will receive compensation for any damages should the commercial solicitor fail to provide any goods or services that have been paid for
• Who Requires the Bond: The City of Douglas

Background

Douglas Municipal Code 5.20.050 requires all commercial solicitors operating in the city to obtain a permit. The Douglas city council enacted the permit requirement to ensure that commercial solicitors engage in ethical business practices. To provide financial security for the enforcement of the permitting law, commercial solicitors that accept advance payments must purchase and maintain a $10,000 surety bond to be eligible for a permit.

What is the Purpose of the Douglas Commercial Solicitor Bond?

Douglas requires commercial solicitors that accept advance funds to purchase a surety bond as part of the application process to obtain a permit. The bond ensures that the public will receive compensation for financial harm if the solicitor fails to comply with the regulations set forth in Douglas Municipal Code 5.20.090. Specifically, the bond protects the public in the event that the solicitor does not provide all goods or services that have been paid for. In short, the bond is a type of insurance that protects the public if the commercial solicitor violates the terms of their permit.

How Can an Insurance Agent Obtain a Douglas Commercial Solicitor Surety Bond?

BondExchange makes obtaining a Douglas Commercial Solicitor Bond easy. Simply login to your account and use our keyword search to find the “license/permit” bond in our database. Don’t have a login? Gain access now and let us help you satisfy your customers’ needs. Our friendly underwriting staff is available by phone (800) 438-1162, email or chat from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM EST to assist you.

At BondExchange, our 40 years of experience, leading technology, and access to markets ensures that we have the knowledge and resources to provide your clients with fast and friendly service whether obtaining quotes or issuing bonds.

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Is a Credit Check Required for the Douglas Commercial Solicitor Bond?

No, a credit check is not required for the Douglas Commercial Solicitor bond. Because the bond is considered relatively low risk, the same low rate is offered to all commercial solicitors operating in the city, regardless of their credit history.

How Much Does the Douglas Commercial Solicitor Bond Cost?

The Douglas Commercial Solicitor bond costs just $100 per year or $10 per month.

Who is Required to Purchase the Bond?

Douglas requires commercial solicitors that accept advance payments to purchase a surety bond as a prerequisite to obtaining a permit. To paraphrase Douglas Municipal Code 5.20.020, a commercial solicitor is a person that makes unannounced visits to personal residences with the purpose of:

• Selling goods or services
• Seeking contributions
• Personally delivering flyers or other forms of marketing materials

BondExchange now offers monthly pay-as-you-go subscriptions for surety bonds. Your customers are able to purchase their bonds on a monthly basis and cancel them anytime. Learn more here.

How Do Douglas Commercial Solicitors Apply for a Permit?

Commercial solicitors in Douglas must navigate several steps to secure a permit. Below are the general guidelines, but applicants should refer to the application checklist for details on the process.

Permit Period – All Douglas Door to Door Solicitation Permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed before the expiration date

Step 1 – Purchase a Surety Bond

Commercial solicitors that accept advance payments must purchase and maintain a $10,000 surety bond

Step 2 – Purchase Insurance

Douglas requires commercial solicitors to purchase liability insurance with minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence and $1 million aggregate

Step 3 – Complete the Application

All Douglas Door to Door Solicitation Permit applications should be mailed or delivered to the following address:

101 N. 4th Street
P.O. Box 1030
Douglas, WY 82633

Commercial solicitors must complete the application in its entirety, and submit the following items:

• • Certificate of Good Standing
  • Proof of registration with the Wyoming Department of Revenue
  • Proof of a Douglas Contractors’ License (if applicable)
  • Description of the business’s nature and how long solicitors intend to be at each resident’s home
  • Disclosure of any solicitation license revocations and why they occurred (if applicable)
  • Signed application checklist (the city clerk must attest to the applicant’s signature)
  • Complete list of all individuals authorized under the permit
  • $200 application fee

All applicants must undergo a background check before receiving their permit. To obtain a background check, applicants must visit the Douglas County Police Department and complete the provided fingerprint cards. Applicants must pay a $5 fee for each set of cards, as well as a $15 fee per background check report.

How do Douglas Commercial Solicitors Renew Their Permits?

Commercial solicitors can renew their permits by mailing or delivering their completed renewal application forms, including a $200 fee, to the following address:

101 N. 4th Street
P.O. Box 1030
Douglas, WY 82633

All Douglas Door to Door Solicitation Permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed before the expiration date.

What are the Insurance Requirements for Commercial Solicitors in Douglas?

Commercial solicitors that accept advance payments must purchase and maintain a $10,000 surety bond as well as liability insurance with minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence and $1 million aggregate.

How Do Douglas Commercial Solicitors File Their Bonds?

Commercial solicitors should mail or deliver their completed bond forms, including the power of attorney, to the following address:

101 N. 4th Street
P.O. Box 1030
Douglas, WY 82633

The surety bond requires signatures from both the surety company that issues the bond and from the owner of the solicitation business. The surety company should include the following information on the bond form:

• Legal name, city, and state of the entity/individual(s) buying the bond
• Surety company’s name
• Bond amount
• Type of license being issued
• Date the bond expires
• Date the bond is signed

What Can Douglas Commercial Solicitors do to Avoid Claims Against Their Bonds?

To avoid claims against their bonds, commercial solicitors in Douglas must ensure that they provide all goods and services that have been paid for.

What Other Insurance Products Can Agents Offer Commercial Solicitors in Douglas?

Douglas requires commercial solicitors to purchase liability insurance. Bonds are our only business at BondExchange, so we do not issue any other types of insurance, but our agents often utilize brokers for this specific line of business. A list of brokers in this space can be found here.

How Can Insurance Agents Prospect for Douglas Commercial Solicitor Customers?

Douglas unfortunately does not provide a public database of active commercial solicitors in the city. We suggest contacting the city directly to obtain this information. Contact BondExchange for additional marketing resources. Agents can also leverage our print-mail relationships for discounted mailing services.