When is it permissible for a bail licensee to charge a non-refundable premium?

Charging a non-refundable premium is permissible upon the forfeiture of a bail bond. When a bail bond is forfeited, this means that the court has determined that the defendant has failed to appear as required, and as a result, the bond becomes inactive. At this point, the bail licensee is entitled to the premium because the service of underwriting the bond has been rendered, regardless of the outcome. The premium, being a form of compensation for the risk assumed and the services provided, is considered earned when the bail bond is forfeited.

In contrast, charging a premium at different points, such as upon entry of the bail bond or upon request, is not aligned with the regulations surrounding bail practices. The premium is typically understood as owing only after a certain event has occurred, which, in this case, is the forfeiture of the bond. Furthermore, once a bond has been exonerated, the obligations may have concluded, making it too late to charge for services rendered under conditions tied to a forfeited bond.