How Do You Hire a Bodyguard?

Before you look at profiles, write down why you want protection. Is it a specific person who has threatened you, a public event, a period of travel, a stalking situation, or general visibility because of your work? A rough threat assessment decides how many agents you need, whether they should be armed, and whether protection is needed continuously or only at certain times.

If someone has made a credible threat, report it to the police as well. Private protection supplements law enforcement and does not replace it.

Rules differ in every state, and there is rarely a license called bodyguard. Close protection is commonly performed under a general security guard license, an armed guard license where a firearm is carried, or a private patrol or personal protection category in states that have one. Some states license unarmed guards lightly and others require training hours and background checks.

Ask the professional which license they hold, then check it against the issuing state regulator. On XGuard, every professional passes identity verification, which matches government photo identification to a live selfie, plus a license check before they are listed.

Be wary of anyone who quotes a price without asking questions. A capable professional will want to know:

• Your daily routine, regular locations and the routes you take.
• Who knows your schedule and who might want to harm you.
• Any medical needs, family members or staff who travel with you.
• Whether the venue allows armed protection.
• How visible you want protection to be.

Discretion is part of the job. The professional should never discuss your movements, address or family with anyone, should keep their phone off social media while working, and should dress to suit the setting. Ask directly how they handle confidentiality and whether they will sign a confidentiality agreement. Messages with the professional on XGuard go through messaging through the platform, which helps keep sensitive details out of ordinary text threads.

Settle the hourly rate, which typically runs $85 to $180 for executive protection, the minimum booking length, travel costs, who is on duty at which times and what happens when plans change. Our page on bodyguard costs works through examples. Payment on XGuard is held until the job is complete.

Finally, meet or speak with the person before the first shift. You will spend long hours close to them, and trust matters as much as qualifications.

Ask what kinds of assignments the person has done: corporate executives, public figures, private families, events or travel. Ask for references you can call, and ask how they handled a time when plans changed suddenly. Look for calm, practical answers rather than boasts.

Training matters too. Ask about first aid and emergency medical skills, defensive driving, and any close-protection courses completed. Ask how they plan an advance check of a venue and what they do if a threat appears. Someone who has a clear, repeatable method is usually more reliable than someone who relies on size or reputation.

Finally, trust your own sense. You will be sharing your schedule and sometimes your home with this person. If anything about their manner, punctuality or willingness to answer questions makes you uneasy, say so and choose another professional.

Before the first shift, agree how you will communicate, who else will be told about your schedule, and what the agent should do if plans change at the last minute. Clear expectations at the start prevent most problems later.