---
title: "Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Surety Bonds"
description: "Marsh McLennan Agency names international surety and advisor-led placement; USI names construction roles, SDI and a packaged surety submission."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/surety-bonds"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-23"
---

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

# Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Surety Bonds

Marsh McLennan Agency names international surety and advisor-led placement; USI names construction roles, SDI and a packaged surety submission.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate Marsh and USI Insurance Services 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

Marsh McLennan Agency arranges contract, commercial and international surety through more than 150 specialists. USI's surety practice serves construction contractors and lists bid, performance, payment, commercial surety and subcontractor default insurance. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds")

## What Is Marsh?

Marsh is a global insurance broker and risk advisor. In the United States it places coverage through core Marsh teams and through Marsh McLennan Agency for many middle-market buyers, including technology, cyber, property, casualty and benefits programs. [1](https://www.marsh.com/en/home.html "Marsh | Leader in risk, strategy, people, and investments") [2](https://www.marsh.com/content/dam/marsh/Documents/PDF/US-en/us-client-compensation-guide.pdf "Compensation guide for US clients") [3](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/marsh-mclennan-agency.html "Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)") [4](https://www.marsh.com/en/industries/technology.html "Technology | Insurance Broking & Risk Management")

[Marsh profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/marsh)

## What Is USI Insurance Services?

USI Insurance Services is a U.S. insurance brokerage and consulting firm that arranges property and casualty, employee benefits, personal risk, and retirement programs. Its Technology practice says it works with software, hardware, and related companies from early seed stage through IPO, using a consultative process rather than a published self-serve quote. [6](https://www.usi.com/about-usi "The Power of ONE") [7](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/ "Technology Insurance") [8](https://www.usi.com/commissions-fees/ "Commissions and Fees")

[USI Insurance Services profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/usi)

## What Are Surety Bonds?

A surety bond is a three-party agreement: a surety guarantees an obligation your business (the principal) owes to a customer or other party (the obligee) if your business defaults. It isn't insurance that pays your business for its own losses. [10](https://content.naic.org/glossary-insurance-terms "Glossary of Insurance Terms") [11](https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/surety-bonds "Surety bonds")

## Key Differences in Surety Bonds

### What Each Coverage List Includes

Marsh McLennan Agency and USI both broker. MMA lists contract surety, commercial surety for nationwide license and permit bonds, and international surety. USI lists bid bonds, domestic and international performance and payment, established surety programs, commercial surety and financial obligations, and subcontractor default insurance.

For a buyer, that means MMA's reviewed page is the one that names international surety as its own bucket, while USI's is the one that names SDI and an established surety program. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds")

### Who the Practice Is Described For

MMA's surety page does not name industries or contractor roles; it describes a dedicated practice and advisor-led placement. USI names general contractors, trade contractors, highway and heavy work, construction managers, developers and design-builders in public and private sectors, and says the network also has experience outside construction. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds")

### How You Work With Each Team

MMA describes working with a surety specialist and names a Surety Department Supervisor. USI describes a proprietary submission that packages underwriting and operations with its analysis, and directs you to a published email or a local office. Neither page names the issuing surety. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds")

## What to Confirm in Surety Bonds Quotes

- Ask MMA whether international surety or joint-venture prequalification applies. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk")
- Ask USI whether you need SDI or an established surety program. [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds")
- Get the issuing surety from both. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds")
- Confirm penal sum and rate; MMA publishes none, and USI cites case studies rather than a general table. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | Marsh McLennan Agency Surety Bonds | USI Surety Bond — Contract, Commercial and International Surety |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA), Marsh's middle-market subsidiary, arranges surety bonds through a dedicated surety practice rather than underwriting them itself. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: MMA surety insurance page..) | USI is a surety bond broker, not a surety. It says it is one of the leading domestic and international surety brokers and negotiates bonding capacity and terms with surety underwriters on a client's behalf. [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Surety Bond practice page..) |
| Issuing Insurer | The reviewed page does not name a specific surety insurer for a standard bond; MMA says it offers national market representation, implying the issuing surety varies by placement. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: MMA surety insurance page as read on 2026-09-23..) | USI does not name surety companies on its practice page; it describes placing bonds through its surety-market relationships rather than a fixed panel. [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Page as read on 2026-09-23..) |
| Who It’s For | Not described in the reviewed sources. | USI says its surety practice has a long history serving general contractors, trade contractors, highway/heavy construction projects, construction managers, developers and design-builders in the public and private sectors, and that its surety network also has experience outside construction. [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Company description of client base..) |
| Coverage Features | MMA offers Contract Surety for construction and similar projects, Commercial Surety issuing license and permit bonds nationwide (in lieu of or alongside letters of credit and other banking obligations), and International Surety for global operations facing varied regulatory requirements. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: MMA surety insurance page, Surety Coverage section..) | USI lists bid bonds, performance and payment bonds (domestic and international), established surety programs, commercial surety and financial obligations, and subcontractor default insurance among its construction and surety products. [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Practice page product list; actual bond forms and terms are set by the surety and obligee..) |
| Limits and Retentions | MMA says it has more than 150 surety professionals across all 50 states, placed $353 million in surety premium for nearly 10,000 clients, and that its markets write 95% of all contract bonds in the U.S., according to the company. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: MMA surety insurance page; company-reported statistics, not independently verified, and do not indicate bond size or capacity for an individual client..) | USI does not publish standard bonding-capacity figures; it cites individual case studies (a general contractor's bonding limits supporting a $10,000,000 revenue increase, and a mechanical contractor whose surety line supported $110,000,000 in revenue) rather than a general limit range. [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Case-study figures on the page are specific to those named accounts, not a published capacity table..) |
| Risk Services | MMA lists competitive indemnity package negotiation, industry benchmarking, joint-venture and teaming-agreement prequalification support, continuity and ownership-transfer consulting, and competitive program design review as services tied to its surety practice. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: MMA surety insurance page, Benefits of Surety and Surety Coverage sections..) | USI describes a proprietary bond submission process that summarizes a client's underwriting and operational information alongside its own analysis and recommendations, and says its surety professionals help clients present their financials to the surety market and negotiate terms. [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Company description of its submission methodology..) |
| How to Apply | You work with an MMA surety specialist directly; the page names a Surety Department Supervisor and describes advisor-led placement rather than an online bond application. [5](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html "Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: MMA surety insurance page..) | USI directs contractors and other prospective surety clients to email pcinquiries@usi.com or contact a local USI office. [9](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/ "Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Contact instructions on the Surety Bond practice page..) |

## Full Comparison

- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Are Surety Bonds?](https://spot.insure/coverage/surety-bonds): A surety bond guarantees an obligation your business owes to a customer or other party if your business defaults.
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Commercial Property Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/commercial-property)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Crime Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/crime)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Cyber Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/cyber)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services D&O Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/directors-officers)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Employee Health Benefits](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/employee-health-benefits)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Employment Practices Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/employment-practices)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Fiduciary Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/fiduciary)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Management Liability Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/management-liability)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/professional-errors-omissions)
- [Marsh vs USI Insurance Services Workers’ Compensation Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/workers-compensation)
- [Chubb vs Marsh Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/chubb-vs-marsh/surety-bonds)
- [Chubb vs USI Insurance Services Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/chubb-vs-usi/surety-bonds)
- [Coverdash vs Marsh Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/coverdash-vs-marsh/surety-bonds)
- [Coverdash vs USI Insurance Services Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/coverdash-vs-usi/surety-bonds)
- [Embroker vs Marsh Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/embroker-vs-marsh/surety-bonds)
- [Embroker vs USI Insurance Services Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/embroker-vs-usi/surety-bonds)

## Sources

### Marsh

1. [Marsh | Leader in risk, strategy, people, and investments](https://www.marsh.com/en/home.html). Marsh; Hero and capability tiles; FAQ: What does Marsh do?; industries served; Is Marsh the same as Marsh McLennan? January 2026 brand change. Accessed 2026-09-16.
2. [Compensation guide for US clients](https://www.marsh.com/content/dam/marsh/Documents/PDF/US-en/us-client-compensation-guide.pdf). Marsh; US broking segments; broker role; retail commissions, client fees, wholesale, insurer consulting, contingent and supplemental commissions; Marsh LLC and Marsh USA LLC; page 3: broker role and Marsh & McLennan Agency segment; page 7: copyright © 2024 Marsh LLC. Accessed 2026-09-16.
3. [Marsh McLennan Agency (MMA)](https://www.marsh.com/en/services/marsh-mclennan-agency.html). Marsh; Middle-market US organizations; wholly-owned subsidiary; business insurance, employee health and benefits, retirement, private client. Accessed 2026-09-16.
4. [Technology | Insurance Broking & Risk Management](https://www.marsh.com/en/industries/technology.html). Marsh; Opening Technology Practice description; practice links including data center insurance, fintech and Stratus; Talk to us. Accessed 2026-09-16.
5. [Surety Bonds to Mitigate Company Risk](https://www.marshmma.com/us/solutions/surety.html). Marsh McLennan Agency; Opening positioning and stats (150+ surety professionals across all 50 states; $353 million in surety premium for nearly 10,000 clients; 95% of all contract bonds in the U.S. written in our markets); Surety Coverage: Contract Surety, Commercial Surety, Joint ventures and teaming agreements, International Surety; Benefits of Surety. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### USI Insurance Services

6. [The Power of ONE](https://www.usi.com/about-usi). USI Insurance Services; History, client-count, nationwide office, and P&C / benefits / personal risk / retirement description. Accessed 2026-09-16.
7. [Technology Insurance](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/technology/). USI Insurance Services; Technology practice client types, seed-to-IPO range, and listed insurance placement lines including PrivaSafe. Accessed 2026-09-16.
8. [Commissions and Fees](https://www.usi.com/commissions-fees/). USI Insurance Services; Licensed-producer authority, insurer-paid commission default, contingent compensation, and client request right. Accessed 2026-09-16.
9. [Surety Bond-Contract, Commercial and International Surety Bonds](https://www.usi.com/property-casualty/surety-bond/). USI Insurance Services; USI's Surety team provides a full suite of surety bond services...Contract, Commercial and International Surety solutions; long history...providing substantial surety credit in the construction industry; USI's proprietary bond submission process; USI's construction and surety products include: Bid Bonds, Performance & Payment Bonds..., Establish Surety Programs, Commercial Surety and Financial Obligations, Subcontractor Default Insurance (SDI); CASE STUDY: 50% Revenue Increase; CASE STUDY: $110,000,000 in Revenues. Accessed 2026-09-23.

### Surety Bonds Guide

10. [Glossary of Insurance Terms](https://content.naic.org/glossary-insurance-terms). National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Surety Bond; Fidelity. Accessed 2026-09-16.
11. [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.

Updated 2026-09-23. 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.

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- [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/marsh-vs-usi/surety-bonds.md)
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