United Surety Agents, Inc. (USA Inc.) is the largest single general bond agency in the State of Indiana. With broad underwriting authority, United Surety Agents, Inc. provides a wide range of civil and criminal bonding services. However, its primary focus is appearance (bail) bonds for the criminal justice system.
Les Sebring, its current President and Chief Executive Officer, began his experience in the industry in 1965. In 1986 he founded United Surety Agents, Inc. which has grown into a network of more than 140 agents in over 12 states. To support this business expansion, United Surety Agents, Inc. headquarters staff has increased to ten full time employees. In November 2002 the company moved into its own building in order to accommodate the larger staff and additional office space needed to maintain service to our agents and clients.
The company’s solid record of success has been built around several key operating principles:
- Integrity
- Experience and Leadership
- A deep, continuing commitment to service
- Active involvement in legislative and educational processes.
While a major portion of the company’s underwriting is for surety appearance (bail) bonds, United Surety Agents, Inc. can provide a wide range of civil bonds covering employee dishonesty, municipal contracts, janitorial/maintenance services, notary publics, public officials and others.
“Without our agents we have nothing. They are the only reason we exist.”
United Surety Agents, Inc. and Les Sebring are members of the Professional Bail Agents of the United States (PBUS), Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Sheriff’s Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Sertoma, Masonic Order, Murat Shrine, and the Scottish Rite.
Experience and Leadership
Throughout the bail bond profession nationwide, there are few individuals with broader experience or more capable leadership qualities than Les Sebring, the Founder and current President of United Surety Agents, Inc. His career began in 1965 as a non-liable executing agent. His early employment spanned positions with the largest general agency – Allied Agents Inc. – rising from Marketing Analyst to Incorporator and Director, and eventually Agency Vice President of Allied Fidelity Insurance Company (AFIC). His “hands-on” experience includes: Recruiting and training bail agents all over the country – Expanding agency representation 262% – Personally apprehending numerous criminals – Drafting and lobbying for legislation to improve and protect the industry – Consistently cutting losses for AFIC and in his own agency (one year to the point that no losses were paid).
Les Sebring is a Master Certified Bail Agent (MCBA). “With over 35 years experience at virtually every level in the bail bond business, and with assistance from a team of dedicated agents, I can help build our profession…and improve its image.” Les Sebring is a life member and one of a handful of members of the Professional Bail Agents of United States’ prestigious Hall of Fame. “More important, however, is that my staff members and I can relate to every aspect of being a bail agent…We are absolutely committed to providing all the help and support our agents need.”
Legislation and Education
United Surety Agents, Inc. is absolutely dedicated to active representation in the area of legislation. For many years, we have been the only general bond agency in the State of Indiana with a full time lobbyist. Our lobbyist maintains a continuous vigil on matters affecting the industry – both present and future – and aggressively works to support our interests. His primary goal, however, is the long term interest of the industry. Having our own lobbyist ensures that premiums are channeled back into the industry and not to some outside association or expensive consultant. We have been instrumental in the drafting, development, and passage of more significant bail legislation than anyone else in business in Indiana today.
Under the leadership of Les Sebring, the company’s founder and current President, United Surety Agents, Inc. has worked hard to upgrade the image of the industry and raise the standards of professionalism for bail agents. We have worked tirelessly to streamline the complaint procedure, improve investigative techniques and raise ethical standards in general.
“We’ve spent a great deal of time and effort on preserving the basic ethics of the bail bond industry and insuring a fair competitive environment…”
“…Competitive practices must be fair to everyone…so all agents are on a level playing field.” Through ongoing attendance at conferences and seminars, we stay abreast of all issues affecting the bail bond industry. Additionally, in July of 1992, Les Sebring was appointed as Chairman of the Education and Insurance Committees of the Professional Bail Agents of the United States (PBUS). Under his leadership, PBUS’ Certified Bail Agent (CBA) program was completely rewritten and a Master certification program was introduced. His committee developed a complete line of insurance products at affordable rates. Liability insurance for Bail and Recovery Agents became a cost-effective reality. In 1996 he was appointed Chairman of the Legislative Committee.
Commitment to Service
United Surety Agents, Inc. has broad underwriting authority. With few exceptions, bonds are approved and executed right in our own office.
RESPONSIVE UNDERWRITING
At United Surety Agents, Inc., underwriting is accomplished rapidly. Given the proper information and documentation, decisions can be made in a matter of minutes, not hours or days. When home office approval is needed, the underwriting process is quick, utilizing telephone, facsimile and computer facilities.
Because most bonds are pre-approved we provide “one call” underwriting service. This means less hassle and quick execution.
“We pride ourselves in the personalized attention extended by all our employees. But I want everyone to know that I personally am available to our agents for help and assistance at anytime…day or night.” – Les Sebring
24-HOUR AVAILABILITY
United Surety Agents, Inc. has toll-free telephone service 800-467-2245. We are available on a 24-hour basis to serve and support our agents. Therefore, underwriting is accomplished around the clock.
FIELD AUDITS
Routine field audits are conducted periodically. These audits help agents on the United Surety Agents, Inc. team to comply with the rules, regulations and requirements of the various Departments of Insurance.
COMMISSIONS
Our commissions are in line with industry rate practices. They are structured to provide fair direct compensation as well as other major benefits such as recovery services, lobbying, educational activity and public relations support. Our agents are never required to pay for such things as lobbyists, organization memberships, bond fees or supplies. We do not require (or mandate) the splitting of commissions on large bonds.
Public Relations
Over the years USA, Inc. has cultivated what has become an excellent reputation, particularly among key functionaries within the judicial system. We have established a close working relationship among those with whom we come in contact. These groups include the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, the Association of Clerks of Circuit Courts of Indiana, and the Fraternal Order of Police. “We have learned from experience that spending money in general media is unproductive; it is an expensive effort to tell the general public a story about an area of life that rarely affects them…or that they don’t want to hear.” Consequently, United Surety Agents, Inc. directs it image building efforts toward members of Congress and other professional intermediary groups. In this manner, money invested to improve and strengthen our industry has a higher rate of return. Les Sebring, founder and current President of United Surety Agents, Inc., serves as liaison between our Bail Agents and Indiana’s Department of Insurance. He works closely with this important body on policy, procedural and enforcement matters.
Recovery
United Surety Agents, Inc. has one of the best records, if not the best record, of recovering fugitives in the industry. We have a team of full time, licensed recovery agents who are very experienced at tracing skips. Both have received extensive training in weapons and apprehension techniques. We have established close working relationships with law enforcement officials and the courts all over the country.
United Surety Agents, Inc. loss ratio since 1992 is consistently less than .2%, that is, less than two tenths of one percent. This is based on hundreds of failures to appear and thousands of bonds written representing millions of dollars at face value.
The company performs nearly all its own recovery work. Only a few, very specialized cases are sub-contracted.
United Surety Agents, Inc. has a sophisticated computer database system that provides access to over 500 different sources of information. This allows us to trace and locate skips more quickly and efficiently and helps keep losses low.
“Recovery is another one of our strengths. We are known nationwide as being among the most professional, best trained, and best equipped.”
Continued dedication to our already high recovery rate stems from the simple philosophy that crime victims deserve the opportunity to see criminals brought to justice.