What is generally not a primary concern of a surety when underwriting bonds?

When underwriting bonds, a surety primarily focuses on factors that assess the risk associated with the principal, such as their financial stability, the type of work to be performed, and their historical performance. Each of these elements provides insight into the likelihood that the principal will fulfill their obligations under the bond.

The cost of the bond, while an important consideration for the principal, is generally not a primary concern for the surety during the underwriting process. Instead, the surety's main objective is to evaluate the risk involved in providing the bond. The underwriting decision hinges on the principal’s capacity to deliver on their contractual commitments, regardless of the bond's cost. This highlights the surety’s focus on risk management rather than pricing, revealing that other factors take precedence when determining whether to issue a bond.