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Alabama Special Agent Indemnity Bond - Marine Sanitation Device Inspectors
The $10,000 Special Agent Indemnity Bond for marine sanitation device inspectors is required by the Alabama Department of Public Safety Marine Patrol Division (MPD). The bond provided by Jet Insurance Company is a guarantee to the Department that should the Special Agent breach their contract causing fiscal injury, then Jet will provide the funds to repay the damaged party or parties.
Buy the bond online now from Jet, it only takes minutes front to back!
What Is the Lowest Price for the Special Agent Bond?
With Jet, the cost for the bond starts at $10 monthly or $100 annually. Our rates do factor in the personal credit of the inspector. Below is Jet’s preferred tier pricing for the bond.
| Bond Term | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10 |
| 1 Year | $100 |
| 2 Years | $175 |
| 3 Years | $250 |
Due to the cancellation provision on the bond form requiring payment 30 days before the bond cancels, Jet has a monthly payment plan offer that takes all the hassle that creates off the table. Once your payment is set up, you never have to worry about the bond again.
What Is the Purpose of the Special Agent Bond for Marine Sanitation Device Inspectors?
The State of Alabama wants their fees and this surety bond to guarantee that any fraud on the part of the Special Agent in the collection, handling or transfer of fees is either corrected by the Special Agent or paid by Jet. The bond does have broader coverage than that as any fiscal damage caused to the State via breach of the Special Agent duties will be covered (but fee handling is the main concern).
The Alabama Marine Patrol Division’s goal is to “enhance the safety and promote responsible use of resources on Alabama’ waterways”. The Alabama Administrative Code details the regulations surrounding marine sanitation device inspections and the duties of the special agent. Together, the Code and the MPD, are in place to stop or limit the amount of crap that can pollute Alabama’s waterways.
We all hope that Special Agents are honest and will uphold their mandated duties. Unfortunately, temptation can creep in and lead inspectors astray. The bond from Jet is a tool used by the State of Alabama’s departments to at least get paid from a third party (Jet) if the Special Agent overcharges the public, underpays the State, or forgoes/forges inspection reports; this could lead to vessel owners potentially leaking sewage all over the place, and therefore causing more financial hardship to Alabama than some missed fees.
How Does a Marine Sanitation Device Inspector Apply for the Alabama Special Agent Indemnity Bond?
With Jet, it is as simple as completing our online application and making payment which takes around 3 to 5 minutes. We do need a social security number in order to determine our rate that is based on your personal credit score. The credit check will not affect your credit or take longer than a couple of seconds.
Following the purchase of the bond, you will receive a copy of the bond and receipt.
Can Jet File the Special Agent Bond for Me?
We sure can! No shipping fees or delays either. We are the insurance carrier providing the bond, meaning no middlemen getting in the way by adding cost or delays.
Should you choose to file the bond yourself to the MPD, just let Jet know at checkout and we will send the bond to you. The bond form needs to be filed to the following location:
Alabama Department of Public Safety
Marine Patrol Division
301 South Ripley
Montgomery, AL 36130
Can I Cancel My Special Agent Bond and Get a Refund?
Send Jet a request cancellation by emailing [email protected] and we will send cancellation notice to the Department of Public Safety. You will get a prorated refund for any time left on the bond.
There is a 30-day cancellation period with the department before Jet is released from liability on the bond, meaning the bond is still technically active. Jet does have to factor those 30 days in its refund calculation.
For those on monthly payment plans, you can just cancel the bond at any time and don’t have to worry about waiting for a refund. Due to that 30-day period keeping the bond active, Jet does have to pull out one last payment after the cancellation is requested due to coverage being extended (this is beyond both Jet’s and your control).
When Does the Special Agent Bond Expire?
On Jet’s monthly plan, the bond does not expire until you want to cancel the bond! So long as the card you provide goes through, the bond stays active. Otherwise, the bond will expire based on the term that is purchased.
The Department of Public Safety requires the surety company (Jet) to notify them 30 days in advance of the expiration date with a continuation certificate. If the surety company or Jet does not receive payment in advance to renew the bond term, then Jet will not be able to send the continuation certificate, thus placing the bond in jeopardy. You can see where this would create confusion and potentially an issue with the Special Agent’s bonding status.
Jet will notify you well in advance of the bond expiration date to avoid any issue with the department. Due to the fact that we are the insurance carrier, we do have more leverage than the typical agent selling these bonds and can provide grace when receiving late payments to keep the bond active.
How Does an Inspector Avoid Special Agent Bond Claims?
When appointed as a Special Agent, the inspector must abide by the laws stated in the Alabama Administrative Code 220-6. First and foremost is to perform annual inspections on vessels that discharge treated or untreated sewage to ensure the boaters are following their rules such as securing seacocks and padlocking valves appropriately, for example.
Failure to properly inspect vessels can lead to damages to Alabama waterways, putting the Alabama Department of Public Safety at fault for your actions. However, they have indemnified themselves against that by having an inspection performed by a third party (you), thus being able to transfer that blame to you. So it is best not to take any bribes from live-a-boards (most likely baking meth on board) and make them fix that boat's issues or you will face the consequences.
A Special Agent can only charge a maximum of a $50 fee for each inspection. A $10 fee must be sent to the Department of Public Safety for each inspection. Any amount you charge over $50 can land you in hot water. If you fail to submit the MPD their dues, that will also lead to trouble. Keeping clean books to account for all collections and transfers of fees is a must.
Should the MPD catch wind of foul play, they will investigate and bring charges, if need be, against the Special Agent. It is the Special Agent’s best interest to mitigate the losses and make any damaged party whole. Failure to do so will lead to further penalties and potentially a claim on the surety bond.
What Happens if I Get a Special Agent Indemnity Bond Claim?
For those reading this section having a claim on their bond, you are most likely attempting to hold onto your status as a marine sanitation device inspector. Send Jet any evidence you have regarding the claim and we will defend you. In cases where the Marine Police Division has already investigated and made a claim, we had all better hope there is a case of malfeasance or Jet will have to make a payout on the claim.
It is Jet’s responsibility to make payment for any and all valid claims made against the surety bond up to the $10,000 limit in aggregate. Jet does guarantee payment to affected parties, but does not take on the guilt of the fraudulent action of the Special Agent. Surety bonds behave differently than insurance policies in the fact that the principal (Special Agent in this case) do have to pay back the surety company (Jet in this case).