By:     Craig F. Martin of Lamson, Dugan & Murray, LLP A recent case out of Missouri emphasizes the importance of providing notice to a surety when a bonded subcontractor is in default.  When the question of whether a surety is obligated under the bond is in the balance, notice is crucial. In CMS v. Safeco Insurance Company, Safeco provided a performance bond to a subcontractor for the benefit of CMS. The bond specifically provided: PRINCIPAL DEFAULT.  Whenever the Principal … [Read more...]