Appeal bonds by the numbers
- 1.5x
- California appeal bond amount as a multiple of the judgment, via an admitted surety
- CA Code of Civil Procedure (§917.1)
What it does
A supersedeas bond, commonly called an appeal bond, stays enforcement of a money judgment while you appeal it. It guarantees the winning party that if the judgment is upheld, they will be paid, which is why the court holds collection during the appeal.
How California sets the amount
Under Code of Civil Procedure section 917.1, an appeal bond issued by an admitted surety must be 1.5 times the amount of the judgment. Other forms, such as a cash deposit or a personal surety, are set at double the judgment, which is one reason most appellants use an admitted surety bond.
| Judgment | Bond amount (1.5x) | Typical annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $150,000 | Roughly $1,500 to $4,500 |
| $500,000 | $750,000 | Roughly $7,500 to $22,500 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,500,000 | Roughly $15,000 to $45,000 |
Collateral is usually required
Appeal bonds are among the most collateral-heavy bonds. A surety generally wants collateral for close to the full bond amount, in cash or a bank letter of credit, unless the appellant has substantial net worth and liquid assets relative to the bond. See surety bond collateral for how that works and how to reduce it.
Get it placed on a deadline
Appeal bonds run on court deadlines, so start early. We place them, coordinate with your attorney, and work through the collateral question. Start a quote with your judgment amount and we will size the bond and the premium.