Can You Get a Bail Bond With No Money Down? Payment Plans Explained

Short answer: in California you still pay the bail bond premium, usually 10% of the bail amount, a rate filed with the California Department of Insurance. What many families can get is a payment plan: a low down payment for qualified co-signers, with the rest of the premium paid over time. When you see “no money down” in an ad, it usually means the premium is financed, not waived.

What you actually pay for a bail bond

• The premium. Usually 10% of the bail amount. On a $25,000 bail, that is $2,500. The premium is the fee for the bond and is not refunded. See how bail bond costs are calculated.
• Collateral, sometimes. For larger bail amounts, the bail agency may ask for collateral, such as a property or a vehicle. It is returned when the case ends and the bond is released. See how collateral is returned.

How a bail bond payment plan works

1. We confirm the bail amount and where the person is held.
2. The co-signer applies. We look at things like the co-signer’s job, how long they have lived in the area, and the bail amount.
3. You pay the down payment agreed for your case.
4. You sign the plan, which lists the total premium, the remaining balance and the payment dates.
5. We post the bond, and you pay the balance on the agreed schedule.

The plan stays in place even if the case ends early or the charges are dropped, because the premium was earned when the bond was posted.

Before you sign, ask for these in writing

• The total premium and the bail amount it is based on
• The down payment and the payment schedule
• Any other fees
• Whether collateral is required, and how it is returned

Be careful with any offer that makes bail sound free. The premium can’t simply be skipped; it can only be spread out.

Frequently asked questions

Is the bail bond premium refundable?

No. The premium is the fee for the bond. It is earned once the bond is posted and is not refunded, even if the charges are later dropped.

Do I get my collateral back?

Yes. Collateral is returned after the case ends and the court releases (exonerates) the bond, as long as the defendant went to every court date and the premium is paid.

Can I get a bail bond with no down payment at all?

The premium can’t simply be skipped. What we can often do is set up a payment plan with a low down payment for qualified co-signers. Call 888-669-0295 for a quote for your case.

Talk to us about a payment plan

Call 888-669-0295, 24/7, in English or Spanish. We post bail at every Riverside County jail and explain every dollar before you sign.