Hiring Bodyguard Services: Contract Terms for Executive Protection (Client/Buyer Guide)

Hiring bodyguard services isn’t just a security decision—it’s a contractual one. For executives, founders, celebrities, and other high-profile individuals, the executive protection service contract is where expectations become enforceable, where risk is allocated, and where you gain clarity about what you’re actually buying.

This guide breaks down the most important bodyguard contract terms to review before you sign. It’s written from the client/buyer perspective, with a focus on practical protections, common pitfalls, and negotiation points that matter when your safety, privacy, and reputation are on the line.

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Why the contract matters in executive protection

Many clients assume “security is security.” But the difference between a smooth, professional protective detail and a stressful or unsafe experience often comes down to the personal protection agreement—especially:

• What the bodyguard team is responsible for (and what they are not)
• How coverage changes with travel, events, or last-minute schedule changes
• Whether you’re protected from liability if something goes wrong
• Whether confidentiality is airtight
• Whether the provider can subcontract without your knowledge

If you’re about to hire bodyguard contract services, treat the contract like a mission plan: clear scope, chain of command, communications protocols, and contingencies.

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1) Parties, roles, and “who is actually providing the protection?”

Your contract should clearly identify:

• Client (you personally, your company, or family office)
• Protected person(s) (you, spouse/partner, children, assistants, etc.)
• Provider (the security company)
• Whether individual agents are employees, contractors, or subcontractors

Watch for subcontracting language

Many providers staff assignments using subcontractors. That isn’t necessarily bad—but your executive protection service contract should say:

• Whether subcontracting is allowed at all
• Whether subcontractors must meet the same training/licensing requirements
• Whether you have approval rights for subcontractors
• Who is liable for subcontractor acts/omissions

Buyer tip: Add a requirement that the provider remains fully responsible for all personnel (including subcontractors) and that you can reject assigned agents for reasonable cause.

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2) Scope of services: define protection deliverables in writing

The heart of any personal protection agreement is the scope. It should specify:

• Type of coverage (residential, workplace, travel, event, route protection)
• Hours and days (e.g., 12-hour shifts, 24/7 rotations, on-call)
• Number of agents per shift and supervisory structure
• Threat assessments and advance work (site surveys, route reconnaissance)
• Transportation (driver duties, defensive driving, armored vehicles)
• Protective intelligence (open-source monitoring, social media risk)
• Coordination with assistants, corporate security, venue security, and law enforcement
• Special requirements (language skills, medical training, female agents, etc.)

Spell out what is excluded

Common exclusions include:

• Hands-on medical care (beyond first aid)
• Firearms use (or any weapons)
• Confronting stalkers or serving legal notices
• Childcare duties
• Crowd control beyond reasonable protective movement
• Investigations not related to immediate protection

Buyer tip: Ask for an exhibit/appendix describing “Services Included” and “Services Excluded.” Ambiguity is where disputes live.

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3) Standard of care and use-of-force boundaries

An executive protection provider should not promise outcomes (“we guarantee nothing will happen”). Instead, the contract should require professional standards like:

• Services performed in a reasonable, professional manner
• Compliance with applicable laws, licensing requirements, and industry standards
• Clear use-of-force policy and escalation guidelines

Key contract points to request:

• A written use-of-force policy as an exhibit
• Requirements for de-escalation training
• A requirement that the provider maintains incident reporting procedures
• A commitment to comply with venue policies and local regulations

Buyer tip: If you travel internationally, require the provider to address country-specific legal constraints (weapons, licensing, local partner requirements, etc.).

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4) Personnel qualifications: licensing, training, and background checks

If you’re going to hire bodyguard contract services, don’t rely on marketing claims. Require documentation or clear representations in the contract about:

• State/provincial licensing (company and individual agents)
• Training certifications (executive protection, firearms where legal, defensive driving)
• Medical training (Stop the Bleed, CPR/AED, EMT level if needed)
• Background checks (criminal, identity, employment verification)
• Drug testing policy (where lawful)
• Minimum experience requirements for lead agent(s)

Continuity and “no swapping” protections

Executives often want consistent personnel. Consider terms like:

• Provider cannot replace lead agent without your approval (except emergencies)
• Advance notice for staffing changes
• Minimum overlap/handover requirements during rotation changes

Buyer tip: Ask for a named “Team Lead” in the contract and require that this person attend key advances and briefings.

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5) Confidentiality, privacy, and NDAs (the most overlooked risk)

Executive protection teams see everything: family routines, business discussions, locations, health information, and personal relationships. Confidentiality is not optional.

Your bodyguard contract terms should include:

• Strong confidentiality obligations covering all non-public information
• Restrictions on recording (audio/video) unless explicitly authorized
• Rules on social media posting (usually a complete ban about the assignment)
• Secure handling of itineraries, access codes, and floorplans
• Data retention and destruction timelines after the engagement ends

Ownership of reports and sensitive information

If the provider produces:

• Incident reports
• Daily activity logs
• Advance reports
• Threat assessments

…the contract should specify who owns them and how they are stored/transmitted.

Buyer tip: Add a clause requiring encrypted communication for sensitive schedules and a “need-to-know” principle for access to your information.

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6) Term, scheduling flexibility, and rapid changes

Protection needs change quickly. Your executive protection service contract should address:

• Contract term (one-time event, month-to-month, annual)
• Scheduling process and minimum notice requirements for changes
• Surge coverage (extra agents for events or emerging threats)
• Travel coverage: notice, per diem, rest requirements, and standby time

Standby and on-call time

Clarify how you’re billed when agents are:

• On standby at a hotel or residence
• Waiting during meetings
• Traveling with you
• Off-duty but on-call

Buyer tip: Define “billable hours” carefully to avoid surprise invoices.

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7) Fees, expenses, deposits, and what “day rate” really means

Pricing in personal protection can be structured as hourly, day rate, retainer, or blended models. Your personal protection agreement should clearly define:

• Base fees (hourly/day/shift)
• Minimum hours per shift
• Overtime thresholds
• Rate differences for lead agents vs. agents vs. drivers
• Holiday/weekend premiums
• Emergency call-out fees
• Travel time billing rules

Expenses to clarify (often the biggest surprises)

Include a detailed expense policy for:

• Airfare (class of travel)
• Hotels (star level, room requirements)
• Meals/per diem (amount and whether receipts required)
• Ground transport (rental cars, fuel, parking, tolls)
• Equipment (radios, medical kits, protective gear)
• Specialized vehicles (armored SUV, secure chauffeur service)
• Local security partners abroad

Buyer tip: Require pre-approval for expenses above a set threshold and insist on itemized invoices.

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8) Liability, indemnification, and insurance: protect yourself from downstream risk

This is where contracts become truly protective—or dangerously one-sided.

Insurance requirements

Your provider should carry appropriate insurance, which may include:

• Commercial General Liability (CGL)
• Professional Liability / Errors & Omissions (E&O)
• Workers’ compensation (if applicable)
• Auto liability (especially if driving is included)
• Umbrella/excess coverage

Your contract should require:

• Minimum coverage amounts
• Certificates of insurance (COIs) upon request
• Notice if coverage is canceled or reduced
• Your entity named as an additional insured where appropriate (consult counsel)

Indemnification

Indemnity language should be reviewed carefully. Watch out for clauses that:

• Make you indemnify the provider for the provider’s negligence
• Require you to cover claims “arising out of” services, even if caused by the provider

Buyer tip: A common fair approach is mutual indemnity, with the provider responsible for claims caused by their negligence or misconduct, and you responsible for risks you control (like providing unsafe instructions).

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9) Compliance with laws, permits, and weapons policy

The contract should state that the provider:

• Maintains required security licenses
• Complies with labor laws and safety rules
• Ensures any weapons policies are lawful and documented
• Coordinates with venues and local authorities when necessary

If firearms may be involved (where legal), the bodyguard contract terms should specify:

• Whether armed protection is included or excluded
• Qualification standards and requalification frequency
• Safe storage, transport, and rules of engagement
• Country/state restrictions during travel

Buyer tip: If you prefer unarmed protection, make it explicit—don’t assume.

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10) Operational protocols: communications, command structure, and incident reporting

Executive protection works best with clear operating procedures. Consider requiring:

• A communications plan (primary/backup channels)
• Who has authority to make real-time calls (agent lead vs. client vs. assistant)
• Coordination expectations with your staff and driver(s)
• Incident response procedures (medical, evacuation, law enforcement interface)
• Reporting cadence (daily summary, incident reports within X hours)

Buyer tip: Add a clause requiring immediate notice of incidents that could affect safety or reputation (e.g., threat contacts, suspicious surveillance, security breaches).

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11) Cancellation, termination, and refunds: don’t get locked in

Your contract should include:

• Termination for convenience (with reasonable notice)
• Termination for cause (breach, misconduct, loss of license/insurance)
• Refundability of deposits/retainership (often partially earned)
• Cancellation fees for events (based on staffing commitments)

What if you simply don’t like the assigned agent?

Include a practical “removal upon request” clause. You shouldn’t need to prove a breach to rotate personnel—comfort and trust are essential in protective relationships.

Buyer tip: Negotiate a short “trial period” (e.g., first 1–2 weeks) with more flexible termination terms.

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12) Non-solicitation and non-compete: avoid clauses that trap you

Security firms often include:

• Non-solicitation (you can’t hire their agents directly)
• Non-compete (you can’t use a competing firm for a period)

Non-solicitation is common and often reasonable if limited in time and scope. Broad non-competes can be problematic—especially if you need continuity of protection.

Buyer tip: If there’s a non-solicit, negotiate a buyout option or limit it to agents you worked with directly and for a short period.

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13) Dispute resolution, governing law, and confidentiality of disputes

For high-profile clients, public disputes are reputational risk. Consider:

• Private arbitration vs. court litigation
• Venue selection (where disputes must be brought)
• Attorneys’ fees provisions
• Confidentiality of proceedings and outcomes (where enforceable)

Buyer tip: If you operate across states/countries, ensure the governing law and venue are not overly inconvenient—or strategically unfavorable.

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14) Red flags in an executive protection service contract

Before you sign, pause if you see:

• Vague scope (“general security services”) with no staffing plan
• No proof of licensing/insurance or refusal to provide COIs
• Overbroad indemnity that shifts provider negligence to you
• Unrestricted subcontracting with no qualification requirements
• No confidentiality clause (or a weak one)
• No incident reporting requirements
• No termination right unless there’s a major breach
• Billing terms that allow undefined expenses without pre-approval

If you encounter these, it doesn’t always mean “walk away,” but it does mean “renegotiate and tighten.”

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Practical checklist: what to request before you hire

Use this short checklist when you’re ready to hire bodyguard contract services:

1. Written scope of services with staffing levels and hours
2. Personnel qualifications and background check commitments
3. Confidentiality and no-recording/social media restrictions
4. Insurance requirements + COIs
5. Clear fees, overtime rules, and pre-approved expenses policy
6. Travel terms (per diem, lodging, billing for travel time)
7. Subcontractor controls and provider responsibility
8. Use-of-force policy and compliance language
9. Incident reporting + communication protocols
10. Reasonable termination and cancellation terms

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Conclusion: buy protection like you buy risk management

The best personal protection agreement isn’t the longest—it’s the clearest. Strong bodyguard contract terms align expectations, prevent surprise costs, and protect your privacy while giving the provider the operational flexibility needed to keep you safe. If you’re reviewing an executive protection service contract, focus on scope, personnel standards, confidentiality, insurance, and termination rights before you focus on rate.

If you want a faster way to create and customize a solid agreement structure (and then have counsel review it for your situation), you can generate a tailored contract using Contractable, an AI-powered contract generator, at https://www.contractable.ai.

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Other questions you may ask next

• What’s the difference between executive protection and standard bodyguard services?
• What insurance limits are typical for executive protection providers?
• Should I sign a separate NDA in addition to the protection contract?
• Can I require a specific bodyguard by name in the contract?
• How do contracts handle international travel and local security partners?
• What’s a reasonable cancellation fee for event-based protection?
• What should a use-of-force policy include for private security?
• How can I verify licensing and credentials for bodyguards in my state?
• What’s the best way to structure a retainer for on-call executive protection?
• How do I contract for protection of my family members and household staff?