Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs 
Heffernan Insurance Brokers: How Do They Compare for Surety Bonds?
What Is Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance?
BHSI provides commercial and specialty insurance in the U.S., with product-specific industry lists that include healthcare, energy and technology. Online quote and application submissions are nonbinding. 1,2,3,4
Read the Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance profile
Read the Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Surety Bonds page
What Is Heffernan Insurance Brokers?
Heffernan’s technology practice targets mid- and late-stage, venture-funded and pre-IPO companies; early-stage firms seeking a direct online quote should compare digital providers. It also offers claims consulting and workers’ compensation support. 6,7,8
What Are Surety Bonds?
A surety bond guarantees that your business meets a specific obligation to a customer, contracting party or government agency. If a contract, license or permit requires one, get its exact form and amount; a bond is not insurance for your own losses. 11,12,13,14,15
What Are the Key Differences Between Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Heffernan Insurance Brokers Surety Bonds?
General contract accounts and logistics programs
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance names regional, national and global contractors and construction suppliers or service firms among its target accounts. Heffernan describes Quick Insure bonds for any business needing a bond and separately lists surety within its Marine Cargo programs for freight forwarders and logistics companies. These are distinct routes; ask which program would address the obligation before comparing terms. 5 9 10
Bond types and service mechanics
Heffernan’s Quick Insure FAQ names performance, payment, and license/permit bonds. Its Marine Cargo page separately lists a surety option within that transportation program and describes in-house underwriting authority for the cargo program; that authority is not stated as a feature of Quick Insure bonds. BHSI lists advance-payment, maintenance, supply, and warranty forms in addition to performance and payment. Confirm which Heffernan route and bond form address your obligation. 9 10 5
What Should You Confirm in Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Heffernan Insurance Brokers Surety Bonds Quotes?
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Heffernan Insurance Brokers Review Scores
These averages can combine ratings for different products, locations, and customer groups, including approximate BBB grade conversions. Read each review for the sources, scope, and calculation.
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Review Score
Review Score
No reviews found
The public ratings for Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance are low but thin: Trustpilot shows 2.1 out of 5 from 9 reviews and BBB shows 1 out of 5 from 6. Both mix travel and commercial customers, so we don't count them in a score.[5][7]
Read Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance reviewsHeffernan Insurance Brokers Review Score
Review Score
1 rated source
Heffernan’s available review sample is small and local, with a low Google rating for one office. Check the team that would actually serve your business.[6][7][8]
Read Heffernan Insurance Brokers reviewsBerkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers Surety Bonds Compared
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers: Surety Bonds: documented features by provider
| Criteria | U.S. Surety | Heffernan Surety Bonds |
|---|---|---|
| Role in This Line | Confirm in your quote. | Heffernan offers surety bonds two ways: as an on-demand Quick Insure product for any business needing a bond, and as a coverage option bundled into its Marine Cargo transportation-insurance programs for freight forwarders and logistics companies. 9,10Company-reported. Surety Bonds and Marine Cargo pages as read on 2026-09-23. |
| Who It’s For | BHSI names regional, national and global contractors and construction suppliers or service firms among its target accounts. 5Company-reported. A target description does not establish approval, bonding capacity or qualification for a particular contract. | Heffernan says surety bonds are relevant to businesses whose contracts require them, and within its transportation practice markets bonds specifically to freight forwarders, customs brokers, and import/export operators. 9,10Company-reported. Surety Bonds and Marine Cargo pages as read on 2026-09-23. |
| Coverage Features | BHSI lists performance, payment, advance-payment, maintenance, supply and warranty bonds. 5Company-reported. The catalogue identifies bond types; actual obligations are set by each bond form, principal, obligee and governing jurisdiction. BHSI lists performance, payment, advance-payment, maintenance, supply and warranty bonds as separate bond types. 5Company-reported. Each bond carries its own obligation; the product list does not establish bond form terms or approval. | Heffernan's Quick Insure FAQ says available bond types include performance bonds, payment bonds, and license or permit bonds, describing a bond as a financial guarantee that contractual obligations will be met. 9Company-reported. Surety Bonds page as read on 2026-09-23; does not describe bond amounts, obligee requirements, or underwriting criteria. |
| Limits and Retentions | Confirm in your quote. | Neither reviewed page publishes bond-amount ranges, pricing, or underwriting thresholds. 9,10Not publicly disclosed. Surety Bonds and Marine Cargo pages as read on 2026-09-23. |
| Risk Services | BHSI says its surety team supports public-private partnership and project-delivery arrangements. 5Company-reported. The page does not specify the scope or availability of that support for an individual account. | For its Marine Cargo program, Heffernan says it has in-house underwriting authority for faster, more flexible quoting and exclusive access to major insurance carriers, plus interactive online tools for declaration issuance and claim reporting. 10Company-reported. Marine Cargo page as read on 2026-09-23; described for the marine-cargo program generally, and the reviewed page does not confirm the same underwriting authority applies to the stand-alone Quick Insure bond product. |
| How to Apply | Confirm in your quote. | For the on-demand product, Heffernan directs buyers to request a quote online or call a listed phone number; for the marine-cargo program, it directs freight forwarders to a named contact and an online client portal for policy management. 9,10Company-reported. Surety Bonds and Marine Cargo pages as read on 2026-09-23. |
Related Pages for Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers
Surety Bonds Pages for Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Heffernan Insurance Brokers
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Other Surety Bonds Provider Comparisons
Sources for Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers
Sources About Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance
- At A Glance. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; United States section, zero-based PDF pages 49–53 (viewer pages 50–54): product/industry lists on pages 49–50; U.S. disclosure/version footer on page 53 is 2026-8-03 A. The 2026-09-14 A footer is on preceding European page 48, not the U.S. section. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- About Us. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; About BHSI; company profile page re-opened through official site on 2026-09-28; company says it is part of National Indemnity group. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Terms of Service. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; Important Information Concerning Use of this Web Site, paragraphs 2–4; nonbinding submissions, contracted-agent authority, state variation, product availability and policy-specific terms. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Public Disclosure — Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Singapore Branch. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; Singapore branch public disclosure, Company Profile ¶¶ 1–2; direct page opened 2026-09-28. ¶ 1 identifies BHSIC as a Nebraska-domiciled direct P&C insurer; ¶ 2 states BHSIC is wholly owned by National Indemnity Company, itself wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated. Accessed 2026-09-28.
- Surety. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance; Retained canonical source record locator: U.S. Surety product highlights list performance, payment, advance-payment, maintenance, supply and warranty bonds; target contractors and construction suppliers/services; lines 6–32. Prior access 2026-09-28; direct re-open failed in this session. Accessed 2026-09-28.
Sources About Heffernan Insurance Brokers
- Our Story. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Headquartered in Walnut Creek; nationwide presence; founded 1988; employee owned; niche practices including technology. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Technology Company Insurance. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Pre-IPO and venture-funded heading; mid to late stage specialization; global expansion copy; self-insurance strategies; Key Markets list; Why Heffernan broker history; Joseph Talmadge practice leader; FAQ. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Heffernan Business Insurance Brokerage. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Forward-Thinking Business Insurance: basic coverages (general liability, commercial property and auto, workers’ compensation); corporate and executive protection (EPL, D&O, fiduciary responsibility, cyber, kidnap and ransom); alternative risk capabilities; claims, loss control and risk-management services; industry practice links including Technology and Claims Advocacy. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Surety Bonds. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Surety Bonds: Trust in Your Projects; Project Assurance; Customizable Bonds: Tailored options for a variety of industries; FAQ: What types of surety bonds are available? Types include performance bonds, payment bonds, and license/permit bonds; Call (925) 448-2695. Accessed 2026-09-23.
- Marine Cargo. Heffernan Insurance Brokers; Coverage Options: General Merchandise Logistics, Household Good Logistics, Marine Cargo Legal Liability, Errors & Omissions, Surety Bonds, Special Projects; In-house underwriting authority for faster, more flexible quoting; Exclusive access to major insurance carriers. Accessed 2026-09-23.
Sources for the Surety Bonds Guide
- Glossary of Insurance Terms. National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Surety Bond; Fidelity. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Surety bonds. U.S. Small Business Administration; Opening guarantee of work completion; Contract or commercial bonds; Bid, Payment, Performance, Ancillary; Eligibility > credit, capacity, and character. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- 40 U.S. Code § 3131 — Bonds of contractors of public buildings or works. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, reproducing 40 U.S.C. § 3131; §3131(b) Type of Bonds Required — performance bond and payment bond. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Surety Bonds. Chubb; Construction Surety Bonds (performance, payment, maintenance); Commercial Surety Bonds (license and permit, court, commercial contract). Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Surety Bonds Insurance. Harper; What is Surety Bonds insurance?; A bond is not insurance; License & permit bonds; Contract bonds — bid, performance, and payment; Is a bond the same as insurance? Accessed 2026-09-16.
