What is a Bail Bond?
A bail bond is a type of surety.
When a court posts bail, you are required to pay the amount of the bail as a deposit. The theory is that this will disincentivize you from running. If you fail to appear, the court keeps the bail money. The bail is returned if you appear at all required hearings and follow the terms.
However, the fact that you will get it back does not change the fact that you may not have it. A bail bond means that you have contacted a bail bondsman or bail bond agent to secure funding for a court case. You will pay them a percentage, usually 10%, of the bail amount. They will then pay the rest on your behalf but secure it with some collateral, such as your car.
If you don't show, the bond agent may take your collateral and sell it. You will owe them the full amount of the bail. If you show up to court, the bondsman gets their money back, but your fees to them are non-refundable (this is how they make their money). Bond agents will often remind you of your court dates as it is in their interests for you to show up.