What does a successful claim against a surety bond typically result in for the principal?

A successful claim against a surety bond typically results in increased future bond costs for the principal. When a claim is made and paid out by the surety, it reflects negatively on the principal's reliability and their financial responsibility. Insurers and sureties reassess the risk associated with a principal after a claim, often leading to higher premiums for future surety bonds. This increase in costs can be attributed to the perceived higher risk of the principal failing to meet obligations again, resulting in the surety incurring more potential payouts.

The other options do not accurately reflect the outcomes of a successful claim. For instance, while a legal trial may occur in certain disputes, this is not a typical consequence of a bond claim, and "no impact on future bonds" is misleading because a claim influences the surety's risk assessment. Lastly, a guarantee of contract renewal is not assured after a claim—renewals depend on multiple factors including the claim’s implications on risk and cost.