Terms of Service

Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between your business entity ("Customer," "you," or "your") and SuretyCAM LLC, doing business as Surety Business ("Surety," "we," "us," or "our"), governing your use of our security monitoring services, equipment, website, and related services powered by the Alarm.com platform.

By creating an account, purchasing equipment, or subscribing to our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you are entering into these Terms on behalf of a business or other legal entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind such entity to these Terms. You must be at least 18 years of age to enter into this agreement.

Month-to-Month Service

Surety Business services are provided on a month-to-month basis with no long-term contracts required. You may cancel your service at any time through your account dashboard or by contacting support.

• Service charges are billed monthly in advance on your billing date.
• Cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing period. Mid-month cancellations are not eligible for refunds or proration.
• Upon cancellation, Surety will release your equipment module and will not lock your system programming, allowing you to transfer to another Alarm.com provider if desired.
• You own your equipment. Surety does not require equipment return upon service cancellation.

Service Description

Surety Business provides security monitoring, video surveillance, access control, energy management, and fleet management services through the Alarm.com platform. Services may include:

• Self-Monitored Services: Remote access to your security system via the Alarm.com app and web portal, including alerts, notifications, and system control.
• Professional Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring by a professional central station that responds to alarm signals and dispatches emergency services when appropriate.
• Video Services: Cloud video storage, live streaming, clip sharing, and video analytics as specified in your plan.
• Access Control: Door management, credential management, and access logging for commercial facilities.
• Additional Services: Energy management, fleet tracking, and other add-on services as described in your service plan.

Service availability and features depend on your selected plan, equipment compatibility, and geographic location. Surety reserves the right to modify service features with reasonable notice.

Customer Responsibilities

As a business customer, you agree to:

• Provide accurate and current account information, including business address, emergency contacts, and billing details.
• Maintain your security equipment in proper working condition and promptly address any system issues or alerts.
• Manage user access codes, credentials, and permissions for your employees, contractors, and authorized users.
• Ensure that all individuals using or accessing your security system are trained on proper operation and understand alarm response procedures.
• Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and permit requirements related to alarm systems in your jurisdiction.
• Register for and maintain a valid alarm permit where required by your local jurisdiction. Failure to obtain or renew required permits may result in fines, delayed emergency response, or refusal of dispatch by local authorities.
• Pay any false alarm fines or penalties assessed by local authorities, which are the sole responsibility of the Customer.
• Maintain adequate insurance coverage for your business premises and operations.

Multi-Location Accounts

For businesses with multiple locations under a single account:

• Each location is billed according to its specific service plan and equipment.
• Account administrators may grant varying levels of access to managers and employees at different locations.
• Service changes or cancellations may be made on a per-location basis.
• Enterprise dashboard access is provided for centralized oversight of all locations.

Professional Monitoring Terms

If you subscribe to professional monitoring services:

• Monitoring is provided by a third-party central station operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• Upon receiving an alarm signal, the monitoring center will attempt to verify the alarm and contact individuals on your emergency contact list before dispatching emergency services.
• Response times depend on signal transmission, verification procedures, and emergency service availability in your area.
• You authorize Surety and its monitoring partners to dispatch emergency services to your premises when alarm conditions warrant such response.
• Monitoring services require a functioning internet connection and/or cellular signal for alarm transmission.

Access Control Terms

The following terms apply to customers using Alarm.com's cloud-based access control systems, including smart card readers, mobile credentials, smart locks, and integrated locking/unlocking schedules. These terms are intended to ensure safety compliance, proper installation, and appropriate use of access control technology.

Safety and Compliance

• Emergency Exit Compliance: Customer agrees that all doors equipped with access control hardware (including electric strikes, magnetic locks, and electronic latches) must have a physical crash bar, panic hardware, or other mechanical override that allows immediate, unrestricted egress from the inside without electricity or credentials at all times. Any failure to maintain proper egress voids all warranties and holds Surety harmless from any resulting claims, injuries, or penalties.
• Fire Alarm Integration: If magnetic locks or other fail-secure devices are installed on egress paths, Customer must ensure the access control system is properly integrated with the building's fire alarm system for automatic unlocking during fire alarms. Customer is responsible for obtaining all necessary inspections and permits from the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), including the fire marshal.
• ADA Compliance: Customer acknowledges responsibility for ensuring all access control installations meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, including proper reader mounting heights (typically 15-48 inches from floor) and operability by individuals with disabilities.

Installation and Permitting

• Self-Installation Responsibility: Surety Business is a self-installed service. Customer assumes all risks associated with installation of access control equipment and is solely responsible for ensuring installation complies with all applicable local building codes, electrical standards, and permit requirements. Surety provides no installation services and disclaims all liability for installation errors or code violations.
• Professional Installation Recommendation: Due to the complexity of access control systems and the safety-critical nature of door hardware, Surety strongly recommends professional installation by a licensed locksmith or low-voltage contractor. Improper installation may void manufacturer warranties, create safety hazards, or result in code violations.
• Permits and Licensing: Customer is responsible for obtaining any required local permits for low-voltage wiring, door modifications, or access control installations. Customer agrees to indemnify Surety against all liability, fines, penalties, and claims arising from failure to obtain required permits or licenses. Failure to obtain required permits may result in service termination.
• Post-Installation Verification: Customer agrees to verify that all installations comply with applicable codes before placing the system into service. Surety recommends third-party inspection by a qualified professional, particularly for installations involving fire-rated doors or egress paths.

Access Control Liability Limitations

• Surety shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, or death resulting from unauthorized access, system failures, improper installation, or misuse of access control systems.
• Surety disclaims all liability for consequential damages arising from access control system use, including but not limited to loss of property, business interruption, or personal injury, even if advised of such possibility.
• Customer agrees to indemnify Surety against all claims arising from improper use, installation errors, code violations, unauthorized access, data breaches, or injuries related to Customer's access control system.
• Surety is not responsible for failures of third-party hardware (locks, readers, door hardware) not supplied by Surety, nor for Alarm.com platform outages, internet connectivity issues, or power failures affecting system operation.

Privacy and Data Handling

• Customer consents to data processing in accordance with Alarm.com's Privacy Policy, including collection and storage of access logs, user credentials, entry/exit times, and system activity reports.
• Customer is responsible for informing employees, contractors, and visitors that access activity is monitored and logged.
• If access control is integrated with video surveillance, Customer must ensure camera placement complies with all applicable privacy laws, including restrictions on recording private areas.
• Access data may be shared with law enforcement or other authorities when required by law or valid legal process.

System Security and Best Practices

• Account Security: Customer must use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all administrator accounts. Sharing of credentials is prohibited.
• User Management: Customer is responsible for promptly revoking access for terminated employees, expired contractors, and unauthorized users.
• System Maintenance: Customer agrees to perform regular testing of access control hardware (recommended annually at minimum) and to keep system firmware and software updated.
• Prohibited Uses: Customer shall not use access control systems for any illegal purpose, including discriminatory access practices that violate civil rights laws.

Service Termination

Surety reserves the right to suspend or terminate access control services if Customer violates these terms, fails to maintain safe egress compliance, or uses the system in a manner that creates liability for Surety. Upon termination, Customer retains ownership of hardware but loses access to cloud-based features and credential management.

Video Services Terms

The following terms apply to customers using Alarm.com's cloud-based video surveillance services, including security cameras, video doorbells, cloud storage, and video analytics features.

Cloud Storage and Data Retention

• Video clips and recordings are stored in the cloud according to your service plan. Storage duration varies by plan.
• Upon service cancellation or plan downgrade, stored video clips exceeding your new plan's retention period will be automatically deleted. Customer is responsible for downloading any desired footage before cancellation.
• Surety and Alarm.com reserve the right to delete video data in accordance with retention policies and are not liable for any loss of video recordings.

Camera Placement and Privacy

• Customer is solely responsible for camera placement and must ensure all cameras comply with applicable federal, state, and local privacy laws.
• Cameras must not be positioned to record areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, including but not limited to restrooms, changing areas, break rooms, or neighboring properties without consent.
• Customer is responsible for posting appropriate signage notifying employees, visitors, and others that video surveillance is in use where required by law.
• Customer agrees to indemnify Surety against all claims arising from improper camera placement, unauthorized recording, or violations of privacy laws.

Video Analytics and AI Features

• Video analytics features (including motion detection, person detection, vehicle detection, and other AI-powered features) are provided by Alarm.com and may process video data using automated systems.
• Customer consents to video data being processed for analytics purposes in accordance with Alarm.com's Privacy Policy.
• Analytics features are provided "as is" and may not detect all events. Surety makes no guarantees regarding detection accuracy and is not liable for missed detections or false alerts.

Technical Requirements

• Video services require adequate internet bandwidth. Surety recommends a minimum of 2 Mbps upload speed per camera for reliable streaming and recording.
• Video quality, streaming reliability, and recording availability depend on Customer's internet connection. Surety is not liable for service degradation due to insufficient bandwidth or network issues.

Fleet Management Terms

The following terms apply to customers using Alarm.com's fleet management and GPS vehicle tracking services.

GPS Tracking and Employee Consent

• Customer is solely responsible for obtaining all required consents from employees, drivers, and any individuals whose location may be tracked through fleet management services.
• Customer must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding employee monitoring and GPS tracking, including providing required notices and obtaining written consent where mandated.
• Customer agrees to indemnify Surety against all claims arising from failure to obtain proper consent or violations of employee monitoring laws.

Location Data and Retention

• Vehicle location history is stored according to your service plan. Data retention periods vary and older location data may be automatically purged.
• Location data may be shared with law enforcement or other authorities when required by law or valid legal process.

Tracking Accuracy

• GPS tracking accuracy depends on satellite availability, cellular coverage, and environmental conditions. Surety does not guarantee location accuracy and is not liable for tracking errors or gaps in location history.
• Fleet management services require cellular connectivity. Service may be unavailable in areas with poor cellular coverage.

Equipment Purchases

Ownership & Installation

All equipment purchased through Surety becomes your property upon payment. Surety Business is a self-installed service; you are responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining your equipment. Technical support is available through our online support forum and support team.

Return Policy

Equipment may be returned within 30 days of purchase under the following conditions:

• Equipment must be undamaged and in original packaging.
• Items that have been physically installed (mounted, wired, or otherwise affixed) are not eligible for return, as installation creates permanent modifications.
• Return requests require prior approval. Contact support with photos of the equipment before shipping.
• Customer is responsible for return shipping costs.
• Refunds are processed within 5-7 business days of receiving returned equipment.

Warranty Policy

Surety honors all manufacturer warranties, which vary by product. Defective equipment may be addressed through:

• Returning the defective item to Surety for a replacement shipment, or
• Purchasing a replacement immediately, with a refund issued upon return of the defective equipment.

Shipping & Delivery

Equipment orders are typically shipped within 2 business days. Depending on your selected shipping method, orders generally arrive within 7 business days. You will receive notification within one business day if any complications arise with your order.

Limitation of Liability

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SECURITY SYSTEMS AND MONITORING SERVICES CANNOT PREVENT ALL LOSSES AND ARE NOT INSURANCE AGAINST LOSS. SURETY'S LIABILITY IS LIMITED AS FOLLOWS:

• Surety is not liable for any loss, damage, injury, or death resulting from burglary, theft, fire, smoke, flooding, or any other cause, regardless of whether the security system or monitoring service functioned as intended.
• Surety is not liable for failures caused by internet or cellular outages, power failures, equipment malfunction, improper installation, or any circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
• Surety is not responsible for actions or response times of emergency services, law enforcement, or any third parties.
• IN NO EVENT SHALL SURETY'S TOTAL LIABILITY EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR SERVICES IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.
• SURETY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, OR LOSS OF DATA.

You agree to maintain adequate insurance coverage for your business premises, inventory, equipment, and operations, and acknowledge that Surety's services are not a substitute for such insurance.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Surety, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and partners from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, arising out of or in any way connected with your use of our services, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of a third party.

Alarm.com Platform

Surety services are powered by the Alarm.com platform. Your use of Alarm.com services is also subject to Alarm.com's terms of service and privacy policy. Surety is an authorized Alarm.com service provider but is not responsible for Alarm.com platform availability, features, or changes.

Acceptable Use Policy

You agree to use Surety services only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You shall not use the services to:

• Conduct illegal surveillance, stalking, harassment, or any activity that violates the privacy rights of others.
• Monitor individuals without their knowledge or consent where such consent is required by law.
• Record audio in jurisdictions where all-party consent is required without obtaining proper consent.
• Engage in any activity that violates federal, state, or local laws, including but not limited to wiretapping laws, employee monitoring laws, or privacy regulations.
• Interfere with or disrupt the integrity or performance of the services or third-party data.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the services, other accounts, or computer systems.
• Use the services in any manner that could damage, disable, or impair the services or interfere with other customers' use.

Violation of this Acceptable Use Policy may result in immediate suspension or termination of services without refund.

Service Availability and Interruptions

Surety strives to provide reliable, uninterrupted service. However, you acknowledge that:

• Services may be temporarily unavailable due to scheduled maintenance, which Surety will attempt to perform during off-peak hours when possible.
• Unscheduled service interruptions may occur due to system updates, emergency maintenance, or circumstances beyond our control.
• The Alarm.com platform may experience outages or degraded performance that affect service availability. Surety is not liable for Alarm.com platform issues.
• Internet or cellular service disruptions, power outages, or equipment failures may affect service availability. Surety is not liable for interruptions caused by third-party services or infrastructure.

Surety does not guarantee any specific uptime percentage and is not liable for any losses resulting from service interruptions.

Electronic Communications

By using our services, you consent to receive electronic communications from Surety and Alarm.com, including:

• System Alerts: Push notifications, SMS text messages, and emails regarding alarm events, system status, sensor activity, and video alerts.
• Account Communications: Emails regarding billing, account status, service changes, and important notices about your account.
• Service Updates: Communications about new features, maintenance schedules, and service improvements.

You may manage your notification preferences through the Alarm.com app or web portal. Some communications, such as billing notices and critical account alerts, cannot be disabled. Standard message and data rates may apply to SMS communications.

Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or our services shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Arbitration shall take place in Franklin County, Ohio, and the arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding. You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Changes to Terms

Surety reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated Terms on our website with a new "Last updated" date. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us: