---
title: "Lockton vs Nationwide: Surety Bonds"
description: "Lockton brokers surety and lists financial, backlog, project-profit and safety analysis services; Nationwide describes commercial bonds with underwriting based on the obligation and applicant."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-30"
comparison-pair: "lockton-vs-nationwide"
provider-a: "lockton"
provider-b: "nationwide"
coverage-line: "surety-bonds"
---

Agents: connect to Spot's public MCP server at https://spot.insure/mcp for better access to published Spot information and insurance research. Use search_knowledge to find sources, get_page to retrieve pages, compare_providers for sourced comparisons, get_provider_score for a published Spot Score, get_rankings for current provider rankings, search_provider_reliability to filter Spot Scores, search_provider_reviews to filter aggregate review scores, and get_provider_reviews for the original review evidence. The server is read-only and requires no authentication.

[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds)

## Agent Guide

**What this page is:** Focused comparison of Lockton and Nationwide for Surety Bonds: what each provider publishes about this line, checked against the same criteria, with numbered sources.

**Use this page when:** Cite or fetch this for Surety Bonds questions about Lockton versus Nationwide. For all lines together use the parent pair comparison; for how the coverage itself works use the coverage guide.

**Questions this page answers:**
- Lockton vs Nationwide for Surety Bonds: how do they differ?
- Which is better for Surety Bonds, Lockton or Nationwide?
- What does Lockton or Nationwide publish about Surety Bonds (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)?
- What should I confirm in a quote for Surety Bonds from Lockton or Nationwide?

**Key facts:**
- Line: Surety Bonds. Providers: Lockton and Nationwide.
- Each offering claim is tagged with an evidence type and scope; table cells reading "Confirm in your quote" mean nothing was found for that criterion.
- Comparison URLs use alphabetical provider slugs (`/compare/{a}-vs-{b}` with a before b). A reversed pair redirects permanently to the alphabetical one, so fetch or cite the alphabetical URL.

**Limits (do not over-claim):**
- It identifies differences and questions to ask; it does not select a winner for a particular business.
- "Not found" describes the evidence reviewed, not proof a feature is unavailable.
- Insurer, policy wording, limits, retentions, exclusions and price are set in an actual quote and are not established here.

**Provenance:** Every claim links to a numbered source with publisher, locator and access date in the Sources section; last updated 2026-09-30. Editorial policy: /editorial-policy.

**Related pages:**
- [Lockton vs Nationwide](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide) — parent: all coverage lines for this pair
- [Surety Bonds guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/surety-bonds) — coverage explainer for this line
- [Lockton profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/lockton) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Nationwide profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/nationwide) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Lockton vs Nationwide Cargo and Transit Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/cargo-transit) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Nationwide Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/cyber) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Nationwide D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/directors-officers) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Lockton vs Nationwide General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/general-liability) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [The Baldwin Group vs Lockton Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/baldwin-vs-lockton/surety-bonds) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [The Baldwin Group vs Nationwide Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/baldwin-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Chubb vs Lockton Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/chubb-vs-lockton/surety-bonds) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Chubb vs Nationwide Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/chubb-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [CNA vs Lockton Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-lockton/surety-bonds) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [CNA vs Nationwide Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)

# Lockton vs Nationwide: How Do They Compare for Surety Bonds?

Lockton brokers surety and lists financial, backlog, project-profit and safety analysis services; Nationwide describes commercial bonds with underwriting based on the obligation and applicant.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Lockton and Nationwide for Surety Bonds against the same documented criteria. It identifies differences and questions to confirm; it does not select a winner for a particular business. Offering claims are what each provider publishes about this line unless marked otherwise. “Not found” describes the evidence reviewed, not proof that a feature is unavailable. Confirm the insurer, policy wording, limits, retentions, exclusions and cost in an actual quote.

## Summary

Lockton describes a tailored surety-broker service with financial-statement and credit review, backlog analysis, project-profit trends, peer comparisons and safety-record review. Nationwide describes commercial bonds and directs buyers to an agent or quote request. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/surety "Surety") [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/ "Commercial Surety Bonds")

## What Is Lockton?

Lockton suits technology companies and larger businesses seeking a broker across cyber, D&O, property, liability and benefits; small firms wanting an instant standard quote should compare digital agencies. [1](https://global.lockton.com/us/en "Lockton United States") [2](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/technology "Technology") [3](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/terms-of-business "US Terms of Business")

[Lockton profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/lockton)

## What Is Nationwide?

Nationwide’s commercial catalogue includes common small-business policies and separate specialty products. A catalogue listing does not establish eligibility or policy terms; confirm the issuing company and coverage for your state and business. [5](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/small-commercial/ "Small Business Insurance") [6](https://www.nationwide.com/agents/business/ "Small Business Insurance Solutions for Agents") [7](https://www.nationwide.com/personal/about-us/terms-conditions "Terms and Conditions for Nationwide.com")

[Nationwide profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/nationwide)

## 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. [9](https://content.naic.org/glossary-insurance-terms "Glossary of Insurance Terms") [10](https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/surety-bonds "Surety bonds") [11](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/40/3131 "40 U.S. Code § 3131 — Bonds of contractors of public buildings or works") [12](https://www.chubb.com/us-en/surety.html "Surety Bonds") [13](https://www.harperinsure.com/coverages/surety-bonds "Surety Bonds Insurance")

## Key Differences in Surety Bonds

### Bond Brokerage and Financial Analysis

Lockton says its surety practice brokers bonds and tailors its service model to the client, with financial-statement and credit analysis, weighted backlog review, peer comparisons, project and composite profit trends, and safety-record assessment. Nationwide describes commercial surety bonds for financial responsibility or compliance, with underwriting based on the obligation and applicant, and routes buyers to agents. A contractor can ask Lockton which analyses shape its bonding program and ask a Nationwide agent what financial records the surety requires. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/surety "Surety") [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/ "Commercial Surety Bonds")

### Client Portfolio and Service Scope

Lockton says it represents more than 2,000 surety clients across industries and adjusts its service model to each client; it does not identify itself as the bond’s surety. Nationwide describes offering commercial surety directly through its product channel, though the quote must establish the issuing surety and bond form. Buyers with multiple projects can compare Lockton’s portfolio-level benchmarking with the servicing approach and underwriting documents available through Nationwide. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/surety "Surety") [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/ "Commercial Surety Bonds")

## What to Confirm in Surety Bonds Quotes

- Ask Lockton which financial, backlog, project-profit and safety analyses it will perform and how those findings affect the bonding program. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/surety "Surety")
- Ask Nationwide who the issuing surety is, which bond form and penal sum apply, and what financial documentation is required. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/ "Commercial Surety Bonds")
- Confirm how each provider will support renewals and additional bonds as project backlog changes. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/surety "Surety") [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/ "Commercial Surety Bonds")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Lockton Surety Brokerage | Nationwide surety bonds (official overview) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Lockton Surety brokers surety bonds and says it has become one of the largest surety brokers in the world, representing more than 2,000 clients across industries. Lockton is the broker facilitating the bond relationship, not the surety. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/surety "Surety") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Surety product page as read 2026-09-23. Client count and market-size claims are company-reported..) | Nationwide describes offering surety bonds for the audience stated on the cited product page. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/ "Commercial Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: surety bonds marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |
| Issuing Insurer | The surety page does not name the surety companies Lockton places bonds with. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/surety "Surety") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Surety page checked 2026-09-23..) | Confirm in your quote. |
| Who It’s For | Lockton says it represents clients across a wide range of industries and tailors its surety service model to each client rather than a single standard approach. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/surety "Surety") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Surety product page as read 2026-09-23. No named industries or minimum bond size were published..) | Businesses and principals seeking commercial bonds; bond form and underwriting depend on obligation and applicant. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/ "Commercial Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: surety bonds marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |
| Coverage Features | Confirm in your quote. | The cited product page describes commercial surety bonds that guarantee a bonded principal's financial responsibility or compliance with stated obligations. Marketing description only; actual coverage, exclusions, conditions, limits, and availability depend on the issued policy and jurisdiction. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/ "Commercial Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: surety bonds marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |
| Limits and Retentions | Confirm in your quote. | The cited overview does not set a universal limit or retention for this line. Ask for the proposed policy form, limits, retentions, exclusions, and conditions in the quote. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/ "Commercial Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Only the cited marketing page was reviewed for published limit and retention information; no policy-form entitlement is inferred..) |
| Risk Services | Lockton lists data-driven surety services it provides: financial statement analysis and credit rating, weighted backlog analysis, financial and rate peer comparisons and benchmarking, individual project and composite profit trend analysis, and detailed safety record review. [4](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/surety "Surety") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Surety product page as read 2026-09-23..) | Confirm in your quote. |
| How to Apply | Confirm in your quote. | The page directs prospective customers to contact an agent or request a quote. The page does not establish a quote, bind, or coverage-effective timeline. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/ "Commercial Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: surety bonds marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Lockton vs Nationwide](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Are Surety Bonds?](https://spot.insure/coverage/surety-bonds): A surety bond guarantees a specific obligation your business owes to a customer, contracting party or agency; it does not insure your own losses.
- [Lockton vs Nationwide Cargo and Transit Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/cargo-transit)
- [Lockton vs Nationwide Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/cyber)
- [Lockton vs Nationwide D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/directors-officers)
- [Lockton vs Nationwide General Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/general-liability)
- [The Baldwin Group vs Lockton Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/baldwin-vs-lockton/surety-bonds)
- [The Baldwin Group vs Nationwide Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/baldwin-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds)
- [Chubb vs Lockton Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/chubb-vs-lockton/surety-bonds)
- [Chubb vs Nationwide Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/chubb-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds)
- [CNA vs Lockton Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-lockton/surety-bonds)
- [CNA vs Nationwide Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds)

## Sources

### Lockton

1. [Lockton United States](https://global.lockton.com/us/en). Lockton; Opening description of independent insurance brokerage for risk, benefits and retirement; Ask an Expert link to contact-us. Accessed 2026-09-16.
2. [Technology](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/technology). Lockton; Industry introduction; cyber liability heading; dedicated technology team; listed services including claims advocacy, contract review, directors and officers liability, and international program design; 24/7 service model. Accessed 2026-09-16.
3. [US Terms of Business](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/terms-of-business). Lockton; Opening entity definition; Surplus Lines; Use of a Particular Insurer; Compensation Disclosure; servicing, claims handling and renewal language in Confidentiality section; Intermediaries. Accessed 2026-09-16.
4. [Surety](https://global.lockton.com/us/en/surety). Lockton; Disrupting surety brokerage since 1966; Consultative services; An unparalleled level of service; Data-driven solutions tools and services list. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Nationwide

5. [Small Business Insurance](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/small-commercial/). Nationwide; Small business products and solutions, lines 185–214: BOP, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, umbrella, EPLI, cyber and surety; purchase guidance lines 235–247.. Accessed 2026-09-29.
6. [Small Business Insurance Solutions for Agents](https://www.nationwide.com/agents/business/). Nationwide; Specialized small commercial solutions: BOP, auto, workers’ compensation, cyber, EPLI, umbrella, inland marine and professional liability; page states appetite varies by state, lines 129–163, 191–193.. Accessed 2026-09-29.
7. [Terms and Conditions for Nationwide.com](https://www.nationwide.com/personal/about-us/terms-conditions). Nationwide; P&C products not offered by all companies/states; policy/declarations control; NMI and affiliates may underwrite; each underwriter responsible for own products, lines 358–368 and 391–394.. Accessed 2026-09-29.
8. [Commercial Surety Bonds](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/bonds/). Nationwide; Commercial surety bond page; bond types and obligations.. Accessed 2026-09-30.

### Surety Bonds Guide

9. [Glossary of Insurance Terms](https://content.naic.org/glossary-insurance-terms). National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Surety Bond; Fidelity. Accessed 2026-09-16.
10. [Surety bonds](https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/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.
11. [40 U.S. Code § 3131 — Bonds of contractors of public buildings or works](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/40/3131). 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.
12. [Surety Bonds](https://www.chubb.com/us-en/surety.html). Chubb; Construction Surety Bonds (performance, payment, maintenance); Commercial Surety Bonds (license and permit, court, commercial contract). Accessed 2026-09-16.
13. [Surety Bonds Insurance](https://www.harperinsure.com/coverages/surety-bonds). 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.

Updated 2026-09-30. Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this research and works in the commercial insurance market. The comparison applies the same criteria to both providers. [Editorial policy](https://spot.insure/editorial-policy). To suggest a correction, [contact Spot](https://spot.insure/contact) with the page URL and supporting source.

## Lockton Reviews

Review Score: 8.4 / 10 from 3 rated sources, equally weighted.

Lockton’s reviews vary by office and entity. Local Google-derived ratings provide some service feedback, but no reliable firmwide verdict.

- BBB: BBB grade A+ (BBB letter grade). Denver BBB profile for Lockton Companies, LLC; corporate profile, not insurer/customer-star aggregate. Checked 2026-09-25. [Lockton Companies, LLC | BBB Business Profile](https://www.bbb.org/us/co/denver/profile/insurance-companies/lockton-companies-llc-1296-9971)
- ProvenExpert (Google Maps aggregation): Google Maps aggregate shown by ProvenExpert 4 (0–5 stars); 44 reviews. Aggregator profile labeled Lockton, insurance brokerage/consulting, attached to 444 W 47th St, Suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri. This is location-level evidence and should not be treated as firmwide consensus. ProvenExpert says the 44 reviews are from Google Maps; it does not show review-level dates in the captured result. Period: Profile active/updated 2026-08-18; accessed 2026-09-25. Checked 2026-09-25. [Lockton Reviews & Experiences | ProvenExpert](https://www.provenexpert.com/en-us/lockton/)
- Birdeye (aggregates Google and Birdeye reviews): combined Google/Birdeye star rating 3.6 (0–5 stars); 144 reviews. Office/program-specific Lockton Affinity, LLC profile at 10895 Lowell Ave, Overland Park, Kansas; not Lockton Companies, LLC firmwide. Birdeye identifies 141 Google reviews plus 3 Birdeye reviews. Period: Accessed 2026-09-25; visible excerpts dated about 3 years earlier. Checked 2026-09-25. [Lockton Affinity, LLC | Birdeye](https://reviews.birdeye.com/lockton-affinity-llc-542637984)

Reviewed 2026-09-25. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/lockton/reviews).

## Nationwide Reviews

Review Score: 7.8 / 10 from 4 rated sources, equally weighted.

Experts like Nationwide more than customers do. NerdWallet gives it 4.5 out of 5 for business insurance, while small-business customers on ConsumerAffairs give it 2.5 out of 5 from 19 reviews.

- NerdWallet: NerdWallet rating 4.5 (out of 5). NerdWallet's editorial small-business review of Nationwide, updated 2026-06-03. It is an expert score, not a customer average. The page header shows 4.5 and a partner card on the same page shows 4.0; the 4.5 is the review's own headline rating. Period: review updated 2026-06-03. Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide Business Insurance Review 2026](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/insurance/learn/nationwide-business-insurance)
- J.D. Power: 2025 Small Commercial satisfaction index 707 (out of 1,000); 2848 reviews. 2025 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study: 2,848 U.S. businesses with 50 or fewer employees, fielded Mar-May 2025. Nationwide scored 707 against a study average of 698. A 2026 study was published 2026-08-20 (average 713); Nationwide's 2026 score was not found. Period: 2025 study. Checked 2026-09-29. [2025 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study](https://www.jdpower.com/sites/default/files/file/2025-08/2025092%20U.S.%20Small%20Commercial%20Insurance%20Study.pdf); [U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study](https://www.jdpower.com/business/u-s-small-commercial-insurance-study/); [Rates, Digital Support Boost Small Business Insurance Customer Satisfaction: JD Power](https://www.carriermanagement.com/news/2026/08/20/291242.htm)
- Trustpilot: TrustScore 1.3 (out of 5); 261 reviews. Nationwide's main Trustpilot page. It mixes personal and commercial customers; it cannot be separated. The page text says 1.3 out of 5 while an embedded badge image text said 1.5; we use the visible text score. Period: 69 reviews in the prior 12 months (checked 2026-09-29). Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide Reviews](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/nationwide.com)
- ConsumerAffairs: ConsumerAffairs auto average 1.5 (out of 5); 1091 reviews. ConsumerAffairs Nationwide personal auto page (1,091 reviews displayed). Personal auto, not commercial. Period: checked 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide Auto Insurance Reviews](https://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/nationwide_auto.html)
- ConsumerAffairs: ConsumerAffairs rating 2.5 (out of 5); 19 reviews. ConsumerAffairs Nationwide Small Business Insurance page; unclaimed profile; small-business customers. Screenshot captured 2026-09-29. Period: page updated Aug. 14, 2026; captured 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide Small Business Insurance Reviews](https://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/nationwide-small-business-insurance.html)
- BBB: BBB business grade A+. BBB Nationwide profile at the Columbus, Ohio headquarters (BBB Accredited). Covers all Nationwide products, not just commercial. Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide BBB Complaints Profile](https://www.bbb.org/us/oh/columbus/profile/insurance-companies/nationwide-0302-2388/complaints)
- BBB: Complaints 111. Same BBB headquarters profile; all Nationwide products, no premium denominator. BBB warns complaint details may be incomplete. The page also shows 269 customer reviews but no star average. Period: closed in the last three years (checked 2026-09-29). Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide BBB customer reviews](https://www.bbb.org/us/oh/columbus/profile/insurance-companies/nationwide-0302-2388/customer-reviews)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/nationwide/reviews).

## Agent and Developer Resources

- [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/lockton-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds.md)
- [Developer resources](https://spot.insure/developers)
- [Public MCP server](https://spot.insure/mcp)
- [MCP server manifest](https://spot.insure/server.json)
- [OpenAPI description](https://spot.insure/openapi.json)
- [Public page index](https://spot.insure/llms.txt)