If you've never been asked to help get someone out of jail before, the idea of needing to hire a bail bonds company can seem completely foreign.

Sure, all companies are required to charge the same rate but that's not to say that all companies are alike.  When you do start to call around these are the three most important questions you'll want to ask your bondsman before deciding who to go with.

What hours does the company keep?  Just because someone picks up the phone in the middle of the night doesn't guarantee the agent you're talking to posts bail bonds in the middle of the night.   Ask the bondsman how far they are from the jail and how long it will take to get the defendant released from custody.  If you're calling at 9 p.m. on a Friday but their office doesn't open back up until Monday morning, you'll want to pull out the phone book and call someone who can help you right away.

How long has the company been in business?  After A&E premiered the show Dog the Bounty Hunter, bail bonds agencies started sprouting up all over the place.  Newer doesn't mean better.  A company with decades of experience in helping clients get their loved ones out of jail will be able to help you in the fastest and most efficient way possible.  They're also far less likely to make mistakes because they'll know the ins and out of the local jails like they do the back of their hand.

Will you need to post collateral?  This requirement will vary based on who you decide to work with.  Some companies always want collateral while others only ask for it under certain circumstances (or if the bail was set very high).   Company A may only accept deeded property while company B will let you put up jewelry, cars or other items of value.  Find out whether the bondsman you're talking to will require you secure the bond and if so, what they'll accept in terms of collateral.