The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC) announced a partnership with The Zebra that will allow member lenders to connect borrowers directly with homeowners insurance options during the mortgage origination process.
The agreement gives TMC lenders access to The Zebra’s insurance marketplace, where borrowers can compare quotes from more than 110 carriers and purchase coverage before closing. TMC said lenders will receive compensation for qualified referrals tied to actions borrowers are already completing during the homebuying process.
For mortgage lenders, the partnership reflects a growing industry push to keep more of the homebuying process inside the lender ecosystem. As competition for purchase business intensifies, lenders have increasingly looked beyond origination alone and toward embedded services — including insurance, title and real estate partnerships — to improve pull-through, strengthen borrower retention and create additional non-interest revenue opportunities.
“Finding and securing the right homeowners insurance adds a layer of complexity in an already complex homebuying process,” said Jodi Hall president and CEO of TMC. “Partnering with The Zebra gives our lender members a meaningful way to support their borrowers through that moment with a trusted, transparent platform that makes it easier to compare options and move forward with confidence.”
The partnership also comes as homeowners insurance costs continue rising in many parts of the country, creating additional affordability pressure for borrowers and operational headaches for lenders attempting to keep loans on track to close. In some markets, rising premiums have affected debt-to-income ratios and increased payment shock concerns late in the transaction process.
“TMC has built a fantastic community of lenders and vendors solely focused on creating better outcomes for borrowers as they navigate one of the largest financial decisions of their lives,” said Fritz Merizon strategic partnerships manager at The Zebra. “Partnering with them is a natural fit, and we’re excited to help lenders give borrowers peace of mind knowing their investment is well protected with the right coverage at the right price.”
Once borrowers are under contract, they will answer questions about coverage needs and budget before comparing insurance quotes or consulting with a licensed agent through The Zebra’s platform. The company said that declaration pages will be delivered directly, and the platform will also monitor for future savings opportunities after purchase.
The partnership will become available to TMC lender members beginning June 2.
*This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed and edited by a human editor before publication.
