Why Do You Only Pay 10 Percent of a Bond?

When using a bail bondsman, you typically pay 10% of the total bail amount as a non-refundable fee because the bail bond company takes on the financial risk of ensuring the defendant appears in court.

Reasons You Only Pay 10% of a Bond

• Bail Bondsmen Cover the Full Amount
  • The bail bondsman posts the full bail to the court on behalf of the defendant.
  • In exchange, the defendant (or their co-signer) pays a non-refundable 10% fee to the bondsman.
• The Fee is a Service Charge
  • The 10% fee is not bail money; it is the cost of the bondsman’s service in securing the defendant’s release.
  • Even if the defendant appears in court, the fee is not refunded because it compensates the bondsman for taking on the risk.
• Risk Protection for the Bondsman
  • If the defendant skips court, the bail bondsman is liable for the full bail amount.
  • The 10% fee helps offset potential financial losses.
• State-Regulated Rates
  • In most states, including Kansas, the 10% bail bond fee is legally set and cannot be negotiated.
  • Some states allow lower or higher rates depending on risk and financial circumstances.

Example of How It Works

• Bail set at – $10,000
• 10% bail bond fee – $1,000 (paid to the bondsman, non-refundable)
• Bondsman covers – $10,000 (to the court)
• If the defendant attends all court dates – The bond is exonerated, but the 10% fee is not returned.
• If the defendant skips court – The bondsman may track them down or seize collateral to recover losses.

Bottom Line

You only pay 10% of the bond because the bail bondsman covers the full amount, and the fee is their service charge for assuming financial risk.