Why Mama Tried Requires 10% Upfront - And Why That Protects You
Kacie Roof
If you've ever called a bail bond company in Horry or Georgetown County and been surprised that the fee isn't negotiable, you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions families ask us at Mama Tried Bail Bonds: "Why do I have to pay the full 10% today? Can't we work out a payment plan?"
The short answer: it's not our choice. It's South Carolina law.
The Law Behind the 10% Minimum
Under South Carolina Code Section 38-53-175, every licensed bail bondsman in the state is required to charge and collect a minimum premium of $100 or 10% of the bond amount — whichever is greater — before the bond is executed. That premium isn't a deposit or a down payment. It's the bondsman's fee for taking on the financial risk of the full bond amount, and state law says it has to be paid in full, upfront.
That's why Mama Tried doesn't offer payment plans. It's not a policy we invented to make things harder on families during an already stressful time — it's the rule every surety agency in South Carolina operates under. Agencies that quietly offer "payment plans" on the 10% premium are taking on legal risk, and that risk has a way of trickling down to the client in the form of inconsistent practices, unclear paperwork, or worse.
Why This Protects You, the Client
When an agency follows the law to the letter, you get:
- Clear, upfront pricing. You know exactly what you owe before you commit — no surprise balances later.
- A properly licensed process. Full payment at execution is part of what keeps the bond legally valid and enforceable.
- Protection from bait-and-switch practices. An agency willing to bend the premium rule to win your business may bend other rules too.
A Law That May Be Changing
Here's where it gets worth watching: there's currently a bill in the South Carolina House (Bill 4512) that would raise the maximum premium cap to 15% and, for the first time, formally allow payment agreements above the 10% minimum — under strict conditions, including a required minimum down payment and structured repayment terms capped at 18 months.
If it passes, it wouldn't eliminate the upfront requirement — it would create a regulated framework for financing the rest. Until that becomes law, the current rule stands: 10% (or $100, whichever is greater), paid in full, before the bond is posted.
We'll keep this page updated if those change. In the meantime, if you're navigating a bond in Horry or Georgetown County, Mama Tried Bail Bonds will always explain exactly what you owe and why — no surprises, no shortcuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 10% fee refundable? No. It's the bondsman's fee for guaranteeing the bond, not a deposit toward the bond amount.
Can any bondsman legally offer a payment plan on the 10%? Under current law, no — the full minimum premium must be collected before the bond is executed. (This may change if Bill 4512 passes.)
Does the 10% go toward my bail amount? No. It's a separate fee for the bond service. The full bond amount is what the bondsman is guaranteeing to the court.
What if I can't afford the full 10%? Talk to us directly. While we can't offer payment plans on the premium itself, we can walk you through your options and be transparent about costs from the start.
Mama Tried Bail Bonds serves Horry and Georgetown Counties, South Carolina. Call 843-220-0051 or visit mamatriedbonding.com.