Terms of Use & Referral Partner Terms

These Terms of Use and Referral Partner Terms (together, the "Terms") govern the OneHourBinder website, the referral tools made available on it (the "Site"), and the referral relationship between OneHourBinder, a Maryland limited liability company at 1 E Chase St, Baltimore, MD 21202 (the "Company," "OneHourBinder," "we," "us," or "our"), and the mortgage loan officers, Realtors, companies, and individuals who refer homebuyers, borrowers, and homeowners to us (each a "Referrer"). Part A applies to everyone who uses the Site, including Referrers and the borrowers and buyers they refer. Part B applies to Referrers in addition to Part A. By using the Site or submitting a referral, you accept these Terms. If you accept on behalf of a company, you confirm that you have authority to bind it.

Definitions. A "Referral" is a Referred Customer whom a Referrer directs to OneHourBinder, usually by sharing the Referrer's personal referral link, after which the Referred Customer submits their own quote request. "NPI" means nonpublic personal information about a Referred Customer, such as name, address, and mortgage or purchase details. "Company Systems" means the Company's website, personal referral links, quote request form, and any portal or tracker it provides.

Section A1

Acceptance of Terms

These Terms apply to anyone who visits the Site, submits a referral, or completes an intake form (each a "user" or "you"). By using the Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms and by our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site. If you violate these Terms, we may deny you further access and pursue any other remedy available to us. Referrers who submit a referral also accept Part B.

Section A2

License to Use the Site

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Site for its intended purpose: learning about our homeowners insurance referral and binding service, and submitting a referral or intake form. This license does not permit commercial use of the Site or its content except as we expressly authorize.

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Site at any time, with or without notice, including for maintenance or updates. We are not liable if any part of the Site is unavailable.

Section A3

Intellectual Property

All content on the Site, including text, graphics, logos, the OneHourBinder name and mark, page layouts, and underlying code, is owned by OneHourBinder or its licensors and protected by intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, distribute, or create derivative works from it without our prior written permission, except for ordinary personal, non-commercial viewing. Referrers may use our name and marks only as Part B, Section 2.4 allows.

Section A4

Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use the Site to:

• Submit false, fraudulent, or misleading information on a referral or intake form, including by impersonating another person;
• Violate any applicable law or regulation or any third party's rights;
• Interfere with, disrupt, or attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Site or its systems;
• Introduce viruses, malware, or other harmful code;
• Scrape, harvest, or collect data from the Site by automated means; or
• Compete with OneHourBinder, or use the Site for any purpose unrelated to its intended use.

We may restrict or end your access for any violation of this section.

Section A5

Children's Privacy

The Site is not directed to anyone under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us using the information in Section A13 so we can remove it.

Section A6

Accuracy of Information & Third-Party Links

We make reasonable efforts to keep the Site accurate and current, including our licensed states and general process descriptions. The Site may still contain typographical errors or outdated information, and we do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. We may correct or update the Site at any time without notice.

The Site may link to third-party websites, such as license-verification tools like the National Insurance Producer Registry. We do not control and are not responsible for the content, accuracy, or practices of third-party sites, and a link does not imply our endorsement.

Section A7

Referral Submissions & Insurance Disclaimers

This section explains how our referral service works and what it does and does not promise.

• No referral fees. OneHourBinder does not pay mortgage loan officers, Realtors, or anyone else for referrals, and a referral creates no financial obligation between OneHourBinder and the referring party.
• Customer choice. A borrower or buyer is never required to use OneHourBinder and may choose any insurance provider.
• Accuracy of information. Anyone who submits a referral or intake form is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. We rely on it to contact the borrower or buyer and begin the quoting process.
• Consent to contact. We call or text a borrower or buyer only after that person consents, through our own quote request form, and verifies their mobile number. Without that consent, we contact them by email only. A referrer cannot give this consent for someone else.
• Who we are. OneHourBinder places homeowners insurance with third-party insurance carriers and is not an insurer. OneHourBinder's licensed insurance professionals are licensed in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. License details are on our Licensing page and can be verified through the National Insurance Producer Registry.
• No guarantee of coverage or timing. Submitting a referral does not guarantee that a quote will be issued, that coverage will be approved, or that a policy will be bound within any timeframe. All coverage is subject to carrier underwriting, eligibility requirements, and applicable law.
• Licensed producer required. Only a licensed insurance producer may quote, bind, or issue coverage. Nothing on the Site is an offer of coverage. Coverage exists only once it is formally bound by a licensed agent.
• Not professional advice. Site content is general information and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice for any individual's circumstances.

Section A8

Disclaimer of Warranties

The Site and its content are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Site will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free, or that any information obtained through the Site will be accurate or reliable.

Section A9

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, OneHourBinder and its owners, employees, and agents will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of the Site, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages. This limitation does not apply to liability that cannot be limited or excluded under applicable law. [Counsel to decide whether to add a dollar cap.]

Section A10

Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. If a dispute arises out of or relates to these Terms or your use of the Site, please contact us first using the information in Section A13 so we can try to resolve it directly. Referrers are also subject to the dispute provisions in Part B, Section 8, which control for them.

Section A11

Indemnification

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless OneHourBinder and its employees and agents from any claim, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of your willful breach of these Terms or your knowing submission of false or misleading information through the Site. Referrers' indemnity obligations are in Part B.

Section A12

Termination, Assignment & Changes

These Terms remain in effect until terminated. We may suspend or end your access to the Site at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including a violation of these Terms. These Terms create no rights for anyone other than you and OneHourBinder, and we may assign our rights or obligations in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of substantially all of our assets.

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or services. Changes are effective once posted to the Site, and continued use of the Site after they are posted is acceptance of the revised Terms.

Section A13

Contact Us

Notices to the Company under these Terms may be sent to that email address.

Section 1

The Referral Program

1.1 What the Company Provides. The Company provides homeowners insurance quotes, binders, and policies, placed with third-party insurance carriers, to homebuyers, borrowers, and homeowners the Referrer refers to it (each a "Referred Customer"). The Company's licensed insurance professionals hold the licenses required in each state where it does business.

1.2 How Referrals Work. The Referrer signs up for a personal referral link and shares it with clients. A client who chooses to use it completes their own quote request, with their name, contact information, property address, and expected closing date, and decides for themselves whether to agree to calls and texts. The Company then contacts the Referred Customer in the way that customer chose, collects the information needed for a quote, provides quotes, and, if the Referred Customer accepts and a carrier approves, arranges the binder and policy.

1.3 Customer Choice. A referral does not obligate the Referred Customer to buy from the Company. The Referrer will tell each Referred Customer that they may choose any insurance provider, and the Referrer will not condition any service on the purchase of insurance from the Company.

1.4 Protection of Referrer Clients. The Company will not solicit the Referrer's past or present clients for purposes other than the referrals the Referrer submits, during or after the term of these Terms. See Exhibit A.

1.5 Duties of the Parties. The Referrer will perform the duties in Exhibit B, and the Company will perform the duties in Exhibit C. The Exhibits are part of these Terms. The Company may amend them by written notice to the Referrer, including by email or portal notice.

Section 2

Independent Status & Restricted Representation

2.1 Independent Contractors. The parties are independent contractors. These Terms do not create a partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship.

2.2 No Authority to Bind. The Referrer and its employees and agents have no authority to act for, bind, or represent the Company in any capacity.

2.3 No Insurance Activity by the Referrer. Unless the Referrer is separately licensed and authorized by the Company in writing, the Referrer will not quote, solicit, negotiate, bind, or sell insurance, recommend coverage types, limits, or carriers, or give insurance advice to any Referred Customer. The Referrer may share only quotes and information that the Company has provided, without changes.

2.4 Use of Company Marks. The Referrer will not use the Company's name, logo, or trademarks in any advertising, marketing materials, or social media without the Company's express written consent. If the Company consents, the Referrer may use them only as the Company approves, under a limited, revocable, non-transferable license and the Company's brand guidelines, which the Company will provide on request.

2.5 No Negotiation on the Company's Behalf. The Referrer will not negotiate pricing, fees, or service terms on the Company's behalf with Referred Customers, real estate agents, lenders, or any other third party.

2.6 Responsibility for Unauthorized Statements. The Referrer is responsible for claims or damages to the extent caused by its or its employees' breach of this Section 2 or negligent, unauthorized statements about the Company's services, premiums, or fees.

Section 3

No Compensation and Compliance

3.1 No Compensation. No fee, commission, payment, gift, or other thing of value is paid, given, or exchanged between the Company and the Referrer, or any of its employees or agents, for or in connection with a referral. The Company will not offer, and the Referrer will not request or accept, anything of value for a referral. These Terms are not a marketing services agreement, and none is required. A referral creates no obligation to refer any business to the Company.

3.2 Compliance. Each party is responsible for complying with the laws that apply to its own business, including the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and Regulation X, other federal and state laws on referral fees and settlement services, and insurance licensing laws. The Company will not accept a referral that it believes violates those laws.

Section 4

Referrer Access, Systems & Data

4.1 Status Updates. The Company shares the status of a Referred Customer's request with the Referrer (for example, that a quote is in progress or a binder is ready) only if that customer agrees on the quote request form. The Company does not share the customer's other personal or insurance details with the Referrer unless the customer agrees separately. A Referrer may not expect or require status updates.

4.2 System Integrity and Prohibited Use. The Referrer will not (i) share account credentials with any unauthorized third party; (ii) use automated means, such as scraping or bots, to access Company systems; or (iii) attempt to circumvent security features or probe the vulnerability of the Company's network. The Company may end access immediately for any suspected security breach.

4.3 Third-Party Systems. The Company is not responsible for outages or errors on third-party systems, including carrier portals, that affect quotes, binders, or policy issuance.

4.4 Data and Backup. The Company handles Referred Customers' personal information under its privacy policy. The Company is not a document storage or backup provider for the Referrer, which is responsible for keeping its own records of its transactions.

Section 5

Quotes, Binders, Policies & Liability

5.1 Carrier Decisions. Insurance carriers, not the Company, make underwriting decisions and issue policies. Quotes, binders, and policies depend on carrier approval and on the information provided, and the Company cannot guarantee any quote, premium, coverage, carrier availability, or binder date.

5.2 Information Provided. Quotes and binders are prepared from information supplied by the Referred Customer and the Referrer. The Referrer is responsible for the accuracy of the information it provides, and quotes may change if that information changes.

5.3 Transaction Timing. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver binders that meet the insurance requirements communicated to it by the lender or closing party in time for closing. The Referrer remains responsible for confirming those requirements and the closing timeline for its own transaction, and for any other aspect of its own transaction.

5.4 Call Recording. Maryland requires the consent of all parties to record a call. The Company may record telephone calls with the Referrer and with Referred Customers for quality control and dispute resolution, and will tell everyone at the start of a call that it may be recorded. A party who continues the call consents to the recording. [Confirm the Company's actual recording practice and disclosure script with counsel.]

5.5 AI and Automated Processing. The Company may use artificial intelligence or automated systems to assist with intake, document indexing, and data extraction. All AI-generated output is subject to human review. The Referrer remains responsible for the accuracy of the information it provides.

5.6 Consumer Consent and Privacy. The Company obtains each Referred Customer's consent to be contacted by phone, SMS, and email directly from that customer, through the Company's own quote request form, and does not contact a customer who has not given it. The Referrer will direct each Referred Customer to that form using the Referrer's personal link, will not complete the form or give or claim consent on a customer's behalf, will not submit a customer's information to the Company without the customer's knowledge, and will tell customers that the Company will contact them. The Referrer will indemnify the Company against claims arising from unauthorized consumer contact caused by the Referrer's breach of this section. [Counsel to approve the consent language; save the timestamp, IP address, and exact disclosure shown for each consent.]

5.7 Indemnification. The Referrer will indemnify, defend, and hold the Company harmless from all claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising out of (1) any unauthorized representation or insurance activity by the Referrer or its employees; (2) any breach of the Referrer's representations, warranties, or duties under these Terms; or (3) inaccurate information supplied by the Referrer.

Section 6

Term and Termination

6.1 Termination. Either party may end this relationship at any time by written notice, including email. The Company may suspend or end the Referrer's access immediately for any breach of these Terms or any legal or compliance concern. Referrals submitted before the termination date will continue to be handled, so that Referred Customers keep their quotes, binders, and policies.

6.2 Survival. Sections 1.4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 and Exhibit A survive termination.

Section 7

Confidentiality and Data

7.1 Confidentiality. All information about Referred Customers and the terms of these Terms will be kept confidential and disclosed only as required by law.

7.2 Text Messages. Text messages to Referred Customers are governed by the Company's separate SMS Terms, which state the message types, frequency, and how to opt out. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help.

Section 8

Legal Provisions

8.1 Governing Law and Venue. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland. Any legal proceeding must be brought exclusively in the courts of Baltimore City, Maryland.

8.2 Jury Trial Waiver. To the extent permitted by law, each party knowingly and voluntarily waives the right to a jury trial in any dispute arising from these Terms.

8.3 Attorneys' Fees. The prevailing party in any legal action may recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

8.4 Limitation of Liability. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Company's total liability to the Referrer for any claim is limited to $[amount; confirm with counsel]. In no event is the Company liable to the Referrer for (1) indirect damages; (2) consequential damages; (3) lost profits, commissions, or transactions; or (4) losses arising from a carrier's decisions, including declination, cancellation, or claim denial. This section limits only the Company's liability to the Referrer, not to Referred Customers.

8.5 Limitation Period. Any legal action arising out of or related to a specific referral must be commenced within one (1) year after the cause of action accrues, or it is permanently barred.

8.6 Changes to These Terms. The Company may update these Terms from time to time. The "Last updated" date above shows the current version. Continued use of the referral process after an update means the Referrer accepts the updated Terms.

8.7 Entire Agreement; Order of Precedence; Severability. Part A, Part B, and the Exhibits, together with the Privacy Policy and SMS Terms, are the entire agreement between the parties on this subject. If Part A and Part B conflict as to a Referrer, Part B controls. If these Terms conflict with the Privacy Policy or SMS Terms on how personal information or text messages are handled, the Privacy Policy or SMS Terms control. If any provision is held unenforceable, it will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted and the rest will remain in effect.

8.8 Assignment and Notices. The Referrer may not assign or transfer these Terms, including to another agent or team member, without the Company's written consent. The Company may assign them to a successor to its business. Notices may be given by email to the address each party provides in the referral process, and to the Company through the contact form at onehourbinder.com/contact or by mail to the address above.

8.9 Consent to Jurisdiction. The Referrer consents to personal jurisdiction in the courts of Baltimore City, Maryland, even if it is located elsewhere.

8.10 Electronic Signatures. Accepting these Terms electronically, such as by clicking to accept or submitting a referral, is a valid signature. The Referrer consents to receive notices and records electronically.

8.11 Force Majeure. Neither party is liable for a delay or failure caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including carrier or third-party system outages, internet or utility failures, natural disasters, or government action.

Section 9

Service Levels

9.1 Turn Times (Targets). The Company aims to contact each Referred Customer and move a complete referral to the next step, such as a quote or binder request, on the same business day when it is received before 3:00 PM (Company's local time). These are targets, not guarantees, and are subject to Sections 5.1 and 9.2. [Confirm target turn times and what makes a referral complete.]

9.2 Exclusions. Turn times are paused for incorrect or incomplete customer information, an unresponsive Referred Customer or Referrer, or pending carrier or third-party responses.

9.3 Follow-Ups. Standard follow-ups occur every 24 hours, unless carrier or closing timelines require otherwise.

Exhibit A

Referrer Protection

The Company will not use the Referrer's leads, client lists, or marketing strategies for any purpose other than the referrals the Referrer submits. The Company and its employees will not solicit the Referrer's clients for other products or services, or encourage third parties to contact the Referrer's leads.

Exhibit B

Referrer Responsibilities

[Draft for confirmation] The Referrer will (1) direct each Referred Customer to the Company's quote request form using the Referrer's personal link; (2) tell each Referred Customer that they may choose any insurance provider; (3) share the lender's or closing party's insurance requirements and the expected closing date, when known; (4) respond promptly to Company requests; (5) not quote, bind, or advise on insurance, as stated in Section 2.3; and (6) hold all licenses required for its own business.

Exhibit C

Company Responsibilities

[Draft for confirmation] The Company will (1) contact each Referred Customer promptly after the customer submits a quote request, in the way the customer chose; (2) provide quotes and, upon the customer's acceptance and carrier approval, arrange the binder and policy; (3) meet the turn times in Section 9; (4) keep the Referrer informed of referral status, as allowed by Section 4.1; (5) protect Referred Customers' information as described in Section 7; and (6) maintain the licenses required to provide its services.