Which check is guaranteed because it is paid for in advance?

A cashier's check is guaranteed because it is drawn against the funds of the bank rather than an individual's checking account. When someone wants a cashier's check, they pay the bank the full amount upfront, and the bank then issues the check, guaranteeing that it will be honored when presented for payment. This means that the funds are already secured, making cashier's checks a more reliable form of payment compared to personal checks, which may bounce if insufficient funds are in the account.

In contrast, personal checks reflect the account balance of the individual and depend on whether sufficient funds are available at the time they are cashed. While money orders are also prepaid and can be considered safe forms of payment, they usually have lower limits than cashier's checks and are issued by various entities rather than just banks. Online payments can vary in their reliability based on the service used and do not necessarily guarantee funds are available in the same way as a cashier's check. Hence, the cashier's check stands out as a guaranteed payment because it has been paid for in advance, assuring the recipient of its validity.