Document:

exv10w3

 

Exhibit 10.3

SONICWALL, INC.

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the SonicWALL, Inc. 1998 Stock Option
Plan (the “Plan”) shall have the same defined meanings in this Stock Option Agreement (the “Option
Agreement”).

     Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined
meanings in this Option Agreement.

	I.	 	NOTICE OF GRANT

Matthew Medeiros

     You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company, subject to the terms
and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as follows:

	 	 	 
	Grant Date

	 	May 2, 2005

	Vesting Commencement Date

	 	May 2, 2005

	Exercise Price per Share

	 	$5.19

	Total Number of Shares Granted

	 	250,000

	Total Exercise Price

	 	$1,297,500

	Type of Option:

	 	Incentive Stock Option & Nonstatutory Stock Option

	Term/Expiration Date:

	 	May 1, 2015

     Normal Vesting Schedule:

     Subject to accelerated vesting as set forth in duly authorized written agreements by and
between Optionee and the Company and as set forth below, this Option may be exercised, in whole or
in part, in accordance with the following schedule:

     1/48 of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest each month after the Vesting Commencement
Date, subject to the Optionee remaining in Continuous Employment on such dates.

 

 

     Accelerated Vesting Schedule:

     For each full $5 million dollars in GAAP revenue achieved over the Company’s fiscal year 2005
business plan, the Option Shares shall accelerate vesting as to 25% of the Shares originally
subject thereto. There shall be no partial acceleration for revenue achieved above the 2005
business plan in amounts less than full $5 million increments. Such acceleration, if any, will
occur upon the later of the Company’s public reporting of its financial results for the 2005 fiscal
year or the one year anniversary of the grant date. To the extent the Option Shares are only
partially accelerated, they shall continue to vest at the rate of 1/48th of the Shares
subject to the Option each month, subject to the Optionee remaining in Continuous Employment on
such dates.

II. AGREEMENT

     1. Grant of Option.

          The Board hereby grants to the Optionee (the “Optionee”) named in the Notice of Grant section
of this Agreement (the “Notice of Grant”), an option (the “Option”) to purchase the number of
Shares set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of
Grant (the “Exercise Price”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan (which is
incorporated herein by reference) and this Option Agreement. In the event of a conflict between
the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, the
terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

          If designated in the Grant Notice as an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”), this Option is
intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code. However, if this
Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule
of Code Section 422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option (“NSO”).

     2. Exercise of Option.

          (a) Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its term in accordance with
the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and the applicable provisions of the Plan and
this Option Agreement, subject to Optionee’s Continuous Employment on each vesting date.

          (b) Post-Termination Exercise Period. Subject to any extended post-termination
exercise period set forth in duly authorized written agreements by and between Optionee and the
Company, this Option’s post-termination exercise period is as follows:

               (i) Normal Termination. If Optionee’s service as a Consultant ceases, or, except as
specified in Sections 2(b)(i) and (ii) below, if Optionee’s Continuous Employment ceases, this
Option may be exercised, but only to the extent vested on the date of such cessation of Continuous
Employment or service as a Consultant, until the earlier of (i) ninety days after the date upon
which Optionee ceases his or her Continuous Employment or service as a Consultant, or (ii) the
original ten-year Option term.

2

 

               (ii) Death. If Optionee’s Continuous Employment ceases upon Optionee’s death or
within the 90-day period preceding Employee’s death, this Option may be exercised, but only to the
extent vested on the date of such cessation of Continuous Employment, by the Optionee’s estate or
by a person who acquired the right to exercise this Option by bequest or inheritance, until the end
of the original ten-year Option term.

               (iii) Disability. If Optionee’s Continuous Employment ceases upon Optionee’s
Disability (as defined in the next sentence) or within the 90-day period preceding Employee’s
Disability, this Option may be exercised, but only to the extent vested on the date of such
cessation of Continuous Employment, until the earlier of (i) one year after the date upon which
Optionee ceases his or her Continuous Employment, or (ii) the original ten-year Option term. For
the purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means the Optionee has been unable to perform with
reasonable accommodation his or her duties with the Company as the result of Optionee’s incapacity
due to physical or mental illness, and such inability, at least 26 weeks after its commencement, is
determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and
acceptable to the Optionee or the Optionee’s legal representative (such agreement as to
acceptability not to be unreasonably withheld).

          (c) Leave of Absence. If you are granted a leave of absence, you shall be deemed to
be in the employ of the Company, except that you may not exercise an option during such leave of
absence, unless otherwise required by applicable laws or as permitted by the Committee.

          (d) Method of Exercise. This option may be exercised with respect to all or any part
of any vested Shares by giving the Company, Smith Barney, or any successor third-party stock option
plan administrator designated by the Company written or electronic notice of such exercise, in the
form designated by the Company or the Company’s designated third-party stock option plan
administrator, specifying the number of shares as to which this option is exercised and accompanied
by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all exercised shares.

     This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company, Smith Barney, or any
successor third-party stock option plan administrator designated by the Company of such fully
executed exercise notice accompanied by such aggregate Exercise Price.

     No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option unless such issuance and
exercise complies with applicable laws. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the
exercised shares shall be considered transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is
exercised with respect to such exercised shares.

          (e) Payment of Exercise Price. Payment of the aggregate exercise price shall be by
any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

             (i) cash; or

             (ii) check; or

             (iii) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by
the Company in connection with the Plan.

3

 

     3. Non-Transferability of Option.

          This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee.
The terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors,
administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the Optionee.

     4. Term of Option.

          This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be
exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

     5. Tax Consequences.

          Some of the federal tax consequences relating to this Option, as of the date of this Option,
are set forth below. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR
DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

               (a) Exercising the Option.

                    (i) Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Optionee may incur regular federal income tax
liability upon exercise of a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Optionee will be treated as having
received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of
the fair market value of the exercised shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise
Price. If the Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to
withhold from his or her compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing
authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this compensation income at the time of
exercise, and may refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding
amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.

                    (ii) Incentive Stock Option. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, the Optionee will
have no regular federal income tax liability upon its exercise, although the excess, if any, of the
fair market value of the exercised shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise
Price will be treated as an adjustment to alternative minimum taxable income for federal tax
purposes and may subject the Optionee to alternative minimum tax in the year of exercise. In the
event that the Optionee ceases to be an Employee and immediately thereafter becomes a Consultant,
any Incentive Stock Option of the Optionee that remains unexercised shall cease to qualify as an
Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the
date three (3) months and one (1) day following such change of status.

               (b) Disposition of Shares.

4

 

                    (i) NSO. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at least one year, any gain realized on
disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax
purposes.

                    (ii) ISO. If the Optionee holds ISO Shares for at least one year after exercise and
two years after the grant date, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as
long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes. If the Optionee disposes of ISO Shares
within one year after exercise or two years after the grant date, any gain realized on such
disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the extent
of the excess, if any, of the lesser of (A) the difference between the fair market value of the
Shares acquired on the date of exercise and the aggregate Exercise Price, or (B) the difference
between the sale price of such Shares and the aggregate Exercise Price. Any additional gain will
be taxed as capital gain, short-term or long-term depending on the period that the ISO Shares were
held.

                    (iii) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the Optionee sells or
otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to an ISO on or before the later of (i)
two years after the grant date, or (ii) one year after the exercise date, the Optionee shall
immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition.

     6. Entire Agreement; Governing Law.

          The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute
the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in
their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to
the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee’s interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and Optionee. This agreement is governed by the internal
substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.

          By your signature and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company
agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and
this Option Agreement. Optionee has reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety,
has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement and fully
understands all provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Optionee hereby agrees to accept
as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any
questions relating to the Plan and Option Agreement. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company
upon any change in the residence address indicated below.

	 	 	 
	OPTIONEE:

	 	SONICWALL, INC.
	 
	 	 
	 	 	 
	Signature

	 	By
	 
	 	 
	 	 	 
	Print Name

	 	Title
	 
	 	 
	 	 	 
	Residence Address
	 	 

5<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.91

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                                   NASE - MEGA
                                VENDOR AGREEMENT

      This agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into effective as of
January 1, 2005 by and between The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company, an
Oklahoma domiciled life and health insurance company ("CARRIER"), and the
National Association for the Self-Employed, Inc., a Texas non-profit corporation
(the "NASE").

      WHEREAS, the NASE is a member organization that provides or makes
available to its members a variety of services and benefits, including health
insurance products and other insurance related products;

      WHEREAS, CARRIER is in the business of selling life and health insurance
and other insurance related products;

      WHEREAS, CARRIER currently has association group insurance policies
("Association Group Policies") in force with NASE Group Insurance Trust Fund, an
Alabama trust, and with The NASE 2003 Group Insurance Trust, an Illinois trust
(collectively, the "Trust"), pursuant to which certificates of insurance have
been and will be issued to members of the NASE. CARRIER has also issued
individual insurance policies ("Individual Policies") to members of the NASE in
states that do not authorize the marketing and sale of "association group"
policies;

      WHEREAS, the Parties entered into that certain Agreement dated April 1,
1996 (the "1996 Agreement") setting forth the terms under which the NASE made
available to its members insurance products and other health related products of
CARRIER; and

      WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend, revise and restate in its entirety
the 1996 Agreement defining the relationship between the NASE and CARRIER;

      NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, the receipt and sufficiency of which is
acknowledged by the Parties hereto, the NASE and CARRIER hereby agree as
follows:

1. VENDOR RELATIONSHIP. The NASE agrees that, during the Term hereof and upon
the terms and conditions contained herein, it will make available to members of
the NASE such Association Group Policies, Individual Polices and other insurance
related products (collectively, the "Products") offered by CARRIER as the
Parties may agree from time to time. CARRIER shall be solely responsible for
designing the Products and for establishing the prices to be charged for such
Products. The NASE shall be solely responsible for determining which Products of
CARRIER will be made available through the NASE to its members. The NASE will
make such Products available to its members through its communications to
members and prospective members, through its catalog of benefits, through
newspaper, television and other advertisements and/or through other means
selected by the NASE in its sole discretion. Nothing contained herein and no
performance by the NASE of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed to
constitute an endorsement by the NASE of CARRIER or of the Products, and the
NASE assumes no financial responsibility for the profitability of any Products
sold by CARRIER to members of the NASE.

                                       1
<PAGE>

2. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:

            (a) Administrative Expense means, with respect to any period, costs
      incurred in such period by CARRIER for policy issuance and policy
      maintenance, but excluding the cost of investigating and paying claims.

            (b) Collected Premium means, with respect to any period, the
      insurance premiums actually received in cash by CARRIER in such period.

            (c) Governmental Authority means any nation or government, any state
      or political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive,
      legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
      pertaining to government.

            (d) Health Policies means Individual Policies and Association Group
      Policies (but excluding ancillary products) issued by CARRIER, which are
      the principal Products that CARRIER will sell to members of the NASE.

            (e) Marketing Expense means, with respect to any period, the
      insurance commissions paid to outside insurance agents during such
      periods, plus any out-of-pocket marketing costs incurred in such period by
      CARRIER for selling and servicing the Health Policies to members.

            (f) Person means any individual, corporation, limited liability
      company, business trust, association, company, partnership, joint venture,
      Governmental Authority, or other entity.

            (g) Term shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24 hereof.

3. LIMITATION ON HEALTH POLICIES MARKETING EXPENSE AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE.
As partial consideration for the NASE's agreement to make the Products available
to its members, CARRIER agrees as follows:

            (a) unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties, Marketing Expense
      with respect to Health Policies shall not exceed in any calendar year the
      following amounts (expressed as a percentage of Collected Premiums in such
      calendar year): (i) 44.5% of first year Collected Premiums, (ii) 30% of
      second year Collected Premiums and (iii) 15% of all Collected Premiums
      after the second policy year; and

            (b) unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties, Administrative
      Expense in any calendar year with respect to Health Policies shall not
      exceed 10% of Collected Premiums in such calendar year.

4. CARRIER'S REPORTS.

      (a). Annual Reports. Except for the reports provided pursuant to Section
4(a)(i), within ninety (90) days after the end of each calendar year during the
Term hereof, CARRIER shall submit written reports to the NASE setting forth the
following information:

            (i) Financial Status of CARRIER Report, including CARRIER's most
      recent annual audited statutory financial statements filed with the state
      insurance departments and CARRIER's current ratings with any rating
      agencies, which reports shall be submitted to the NASE on or before June
      15 of each year for the most recent calendar year.

                                       2
<PAGE>

            (ii) Health Insurance in Force Report, including, with respect to
      members of the NASE, the number of policies in force and the amount of
      Earned Premiums thereon for the most recent calendar year.

            (iii) Claims Report, which shall be substantially in the form, and
      contain substantially the information, as set forth in SCHEDULE 4(a)(III)
      hereto.

            (iv) Complaints Report, including the number of complaints received
      regarding claims handling and regarding agent conduct, the source of such
      complaints (department of insurance, members of the NASE or other) and the
      number of claims disposed of during the most recent calendar year on
      Health Policies issued by CARRIER.

            (v) Litigation Report. The number of legal actions brought against
      CARRIER with respect to any Products sold to members of the NASE, the
      number of such actions disposed of during the most recent calendar year
      and a brief description of any material litigation pending at year-end.

            (vi) Certificate of Compliance, containing the calculation of
      CARRIER's compliance with the limitation on Marketing Expense and the
      limitation on Administrative Expense for the most recent calendar year
      and, if CARRIER did not comply with any of such limitations, CARRIER's
      plan for curing such non-compliance.

      (b) Quarterly Reports. Within sixty (60) days following the end of each
calendar quarter during the Term hereof (other than the fourth quarter of each
year), CARRIER shall provide to the NASE unaudited statutory financial
statements of CARRIER as filed with the Oklahoma state insurance department, and
a Health Insurance in Force Report, as described in Section 4 (ii) above, in
each case as of the end of and for such calendar quarter.

      (c) Other Reports. CARRIER shall also provide such other reports as may
reasonably be requested by the NASE during the Term hereof.

5. NOTICE OF RATE INCREASES. CARRIER shall provide to the NASE not less than
forty five (45) days' advance written notice of any proposed rate increases for
the Health Policies, such notice to include a statement that such premium rate
increase is deemed necessary based upon the analysis of the actuarial department
of CARRIER. NASE shall have the right to provide to CARRIER input with respect
to proposed rate decisions, and CARRIER agrees to share claim information and
experience with the NASE to permit the NASE to provide such input. CARRIER
agrees to consider recommendations by the NASE and to provide its rationale to
the NASE for decisions regarding rate increases that are contrary to the NASE's
recommendations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CARRIER shall at all times
retain the right to determine in its sole and absolute discretion the amount and
timing of any rate increase on Health Policies.

6. MUTUAL DISCLOSURES. Each of CARRIER and the NASE agrees that it will promptly
notify the other Party of any lawsuits, complaints or notices of investigations
that it receives which will or may involve the other Party.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY. Each Party recognizes that in the course of exercising its
rights and performing its obligations under this Agreement it will come into
possession of confidential or proprietary information of the other Party or of
customers of the other Party ("Confidential Information"). Each Party agrees
that it will not disclose to anyone not a Party to this Agreement any
Confidential Information of the other Party or its customers and will not use
any such Confidential Information except to the extent

                                       3
<PAGE>

necessary to carry out its obligations hereunder. Each Party agrees to comply
with the confidentiality requirements imposed on it by state and Federal law,
including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
("HIPPA"). Confidential Information does not include information which (i) is or
becomes generally available to the public other than pursuant to a violation of
this Agreement, (ii) was available to the Parties on a non-confidential basis
prior to its disclosure by the other Party or its customer to such Party or
(iii) became available to a Party on a non-confidential basis from a third party
who was not bound by a confidentiality agreement with respect to such
information.

8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

      (a) CARRIER hereby represents and warrants to the NASE as follows:

            (i) CARRIER is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
      good standing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and has all
      necessary corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and
      to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform its
      obligations hereunder.

            (ii) All corporate and other actions or proceedings required to be
      taken by or on the part of CARRIER to authorize and permit the execution
      and delivery by it of this Agreement, the performance by it of its
      obligations hereunder, and the consummation by it of the transactions
      contemplated herein and therein, have been duly and properly taken.

            (iii) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
      obligation of CARRIER, enforceable against it in accordance with its
      terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
      bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in
      effect which affect the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by
      equitable limitations on the availability of specific remedies.

            (iv) CARRIER is duly licensed and has authority to issue
      "association group" health insurance policies and certificates, individual
      policies of health insurance and multiple employer trust policies of
      health insurance to insureds in each of the states in which CARRIER is
      currently issuing such policies, and CARRIER will obtain and retain all
      licenses necessary to conduct CARRIER's business during the Term hereof.

            (v) No authorization, approval, or consent of, and no filing or
      registration with, any Governmental Authority or third party is or will be
      necessary for the execution, delivery of this Agreement, or performance by
      CARRIER or for the validity or enforceability thereof, except for such
      approvals or consents which have been obtained or made.

      (b) The NASE hereby represents and warrants to CARRIER as follows:

            (i) The NASE is a non-profit corporation duly organized, validly
      existing and in good standing under the Texas Non-profit Corporation Act
      and has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into this
      Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to
      perform its obligations hereunder.

            (ii) All corporate and other actions or proceedings required to be
      taken by or on the part of the NASE to authorize and permit the execution
      and delivery by it of this Agreement, the performance by it of its
      respective obligations hereunder, and the consummation by it of the
      transactions contemplated herein and therein, have been duly and properly
      taken.

                                       4
<PAGE>

            (iii) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
      obligation of the NASE, enforceable against it in accordance with its
      terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
      bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in
      effect which affect the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by
      equitable limitations on the availability of specific remedies.

            (iv) No authorization, approval, or consent of, and no filing or
      registration with, any Governmental Authority or third party is or will be
      necessary for the execution, delivery of this Agreement, or performance by
      the NASE or for the validity or enforceability thereof, except for such
      approvals or consents which have been obtained or made.

9. INDEMNIFICATION.

      (a) Indemnification by CARRIER. CARRIER agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the NASE and each of the NASE's officers, directors, employees and
agents (collectively, a "NASE Indemnified Party") from and against any and all
losses, damages (including, without limitation, actual damages, compensatory
damages, punitive damages and extra-contractual damages), liabilities,
penalties, regulatory fines, costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
attorneys' fees, investigation costs and all other reasonable costs associated
with the defense thereof) (collectively, "Losses"), as incurred, arising out of
or relating to the following:

            (i) any breach of, or any inaccuracy in, any representation or
      warranty made by CARRIER in this Agreement;

            (ii) any breach of, or failure by, CARRIER to perform any covenant
      or obligation of CARRIER set out in this Agreement; and

            (iii) any other Loss resulting from, or arising out of any acts,
      occurrences or matters caused by CARRIER and/or the independent insurance
      agents under contract with CARRIER's UGA Association Field Services
      division; provided that such Loss was not caused in whole or in material
      part by the act or omission of a NASE Indemnified Party.

      (b) Indemnification by the NASE. The NASE agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless CARRIER and each of CARRIER's officers, directors, employees and agents
(collectively, a "CARRIER Indemnified Party") from and against any and all
Losses, as incurred, arising out of or relating to the following:

            (i) any breach of, or any inaccuracy in, any representation or
      warranty made by the NASE in this Agreement;

            (ii) any breach of, or failure by, the NASE to perform any covenant
      or obligation set out in this Agreement; and

            (iii) any other Loss resulting from, or arising out of any acts,
      occurrences or matters caused by the NASE, provided that such Loss was not
      caused in whole or in material part by the act or omission of a CARRIER
      Indemnified Party and excluding any Losses incurred, arising out or
      relating to any claims that the NASE is not a valid association to which
      an association group policy of health insurance may be issued.

                                       5
<PAGE>

      (c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.

            (i) If any proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any
      person and/or entity entitled to indemnity hereunder (an "Indemnified
      Party"), such Indemnified Party promptly shall notify the person from whom
      indemnity is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") in writing, and the
      Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the
      employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and
      the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
      defense thereof; provided, however, that the failure of any Indemnified
      Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its
      obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except to the
      extent (and only to the extent) that it shall be finally determined by a
      court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to
      appeal or further review) that such failure shall have proximately and
      materially adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.

            (ii) An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate
      counsel in any such proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof,
      but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such
      Indemnified Party or Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed
      in writing to pay such fees and expenses; or (2) the Indemnifying Party
      shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to
      employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any
      such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such proceeding
      (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and
      the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised
      by counsel that a conflict of interest is likely to exist if the same
      counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying
      Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying
      Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense
      of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right
      to assume the defense thereof and such counsel shall be at the reasonable
      expense of the Indemnifying Party). The Indemnifying Party shall not be
      liable for any settlement of any such proceeding effected without its
      written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed
      or conditioned. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written
      consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending
      proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless
      such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified
      Party from any and all liability on claims that are the subject matter of
      such proceeding.

            (iii) All fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including
      reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with
      investigating or preparing to defend such proceeding in a manner not
      inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as
      incurred, within fifteen (15) business days of a detailed written notice
      thereof to the Indemnifying Party (regardless of whether it is ultimately
      determined that an Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification
      hereunder; provided, that the Indemnifying Party may require such
      Indemnified Party to undertake to reimburse all such fees and expenses to
      the extent it is finally judicially determined that such Indemnified Party
      is not entitled to indemnification hereunder).

10. RELATIONSHIP OF THE PARTIES. The relationship of the Parties created hereby
is that of independent contractors, and each Party has and retains the right to
full control over the performance of its obligations hereunder. Neither Party is
an employee, joint venturer, affiliate or partner of the other Party, and
neither Party shall have any right or authority to create or assume any
obligation of any kind on behalf of the other Party.

11. AUDIT RIGHTS. The NASE, itself or by its agents, shall have the right, on
reasonable written notice to CARRIER and during regular business hours of
CARRIER, to review and audit the books and records of CARRIER relating to the
obligations of CARRIER hereunder. The NASE shall reimburse CARRIER for
reasonable expenses, excluding attorneys' fees, incurred by CARRIER in assisting
the

                                       6
<PAGE>

NASE in such review and audit. The provisions of this Section 11 shall survive
for a period of two (2) years after the termination or expiration of this
Agreement.

12. FORCE MAJEURE. Neither Party shall be held responsible for any delay or
failure in performance of any part of this Agreement to the extent such delay or
failure is caused by fire, flood, explosion, war, terrorist act, strike,
embargo, government requirement, civil or military authority, act of God, or
other similar causes beyond its control and without the fault or negligence of
the delayed or non-performing Party ("Force Majeure Conditions"). If any Force
Majeure Condition occurs, the Party delayed or unable to perform shall give
immediate notice to the other Party, stating the nature of the Force Majeure
Condition and any action being taken to avoid or minimize its effect and its
estimate of how long such delay or failure will continue. If the Force Majeure
Condition continues for a period of at least one hundred eighty (180) days,
either Party may terminate this Agreement by delivery of written notice to the
other Party.

13. NOTICES. Any notice, request, instruction or other communication to be given
hereunder by a Party hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
given, (i) when received if given in person or by a messenger or courier
service, (ii) on the date of confirmed transmission if sent by facsimile or
other wire transmission or (iii) three (3) Business Days after being deposited
in the U.S. mail, certified or registered, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:

                  If to the NASE:

                  National Association for the Self-Employed, Inc.
                  Capital Center
                  1235 Main Street
                  Suite 100
                  Grapevine, TX 76051
                  Attention: Robert E. Hughes
                  Facsimile No.: (817) 251-1599

                  If to CARRIER:

                  The MEGA Life and Health Insurance Company
                  9151 Grapevine Highway
                  North Richland Hills, Texas 76180
                  Attention: President
                  Facsimile No.: (817) 255-8380

                  With a copy to:

                  UICI
                  9151 Grapevine Highway
                  North Richland Hills, Texas 76180
                  Attention: Executive Vice President and General Counsel
                  Facsimile No.: (817) 255-5394

or to such other individual or address as a Party hereto may designate for
itself by notice given as herein provided.

14. WAIVERS. The failure of either Party hereto at any time or times to require
performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect its right at a
later time to enforce the same or any other

                                       7
<PAGE>

provision. No waiver by a Party of any condition or of any breach of any term,
covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement shall be
effective unless in writing, and no waiver in any one or more instances shall be
deemed to be a further or continuing waiver of any such condition or breach in
other instances or a waiver of any other condition or breach of any other term,
covenant, representation or warranty.

15. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including by
facsimile signatures, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

16. INTERPRETATION. The headings preceding the text of Sections included in this
Agreement are for convenience only and shall neither be deemed part of this
Agreement nor be given any effect in interpreting this Agreement. The use of the
masculine, feminine or neuter gender herein shall not limit any provision of
this Agreement. The use of the terms "including" or "include" shall in all cases
herein mean "including, without limitation" or "include, without limitation,"
respectively. The Parties have jointly participated in the negotiation and
drafting of this Agreement. In the event of any ambiguity or if a question of
intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted
jointly by all Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise
favoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this
Agreement.

17. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no assignment of any rights or obligations shall be made by either
Party without the written consent of the other Party.

18. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of
the Parties hereto and no provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to confer
upon other third parties any remedy, claim, liability, cause of action or other
right.

19. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Upon reasonable request of either Party, the other Party
will execute and deliver such other documents as may be required to effectuate
completely the purposes of this Agreement.

20. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the other
provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby, and there shall be deemed
substituted for the provision at issue a valid, legal and enforceable provision
as similar as possible to the provision at issue.

21. REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. The remedies provided in this Agreement shall be
cumulative and shall not preclude the assertion or exercise of any other rights
or remedies available by law, in equity or otherwise.

22. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
and understanding of the Parties with respect to the matters set forth herein
and supersedes any and all prior written or oral discussions, negotiations,
proposals, agreements, arrangements and understandings among the Parties
relating thereto except as may be set forth in a contemporaneous or subsequent
written agreement signed by the Parties and except that nothing contained herein
shall affect any rights of either Party under the 1996 Agreement accrued as of
the date hereof. The provisions of this Agreement may not be modified, changed,
amended or rescinded in any manner except by a written instrument signed by an
authorized representative of all of the Parties hereto.

23. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without reference to its choice
of law rules.

                                       8
<PAGE>

24. TERM; TERMINATION.

      (a) The term (the "Term") of this Agreement shall commence on the date
hereof and shall continue until December 31, 2005, and shall automatically be
extended from year to year thereafter unless either Party gives the other Party
not less than twelve (12) months' written notice that the Term will not be
extended. During the twelve (12) month termination period, the provisions of
this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

      (b) This Agreement may be terminated by either Party hereto (the
"Terminating Party") upon not less than forty-five (45) days' prior written
notice to the other Party (the "Defaulting Party") upon the occurrence of any of
the following events:

            (i) Any representation, warranty or certification made or deemed
      made by the Defaulting Party (or any of its respective officers) hereunder
      or in any certificate, report, notice, or financial statement furnished at
      any time in connection with the Agreement shall be false, misleading, or
      erroneous in any material respect when made or deemed to have been made.

            (ii) The Defaulting Party shall fail to perform, observe, or comply
      with any material covenant, agreement, or term contained in the Agreement
      and such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after the
      date the Terminating Party provides the Defaulting Party with notice
      thereof.

            (iii) The Defaulting Party shall admit in writing its inability to,
      or be generally unable to, pay its debts as such debts become due.

            (iv) The Defaulting Party shall (i) apply for or consent to the
      appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, rehabilitator,
      conservator, custodian, trustee, liquidator or the like of itself or of
      all or a substantial part of its property, (ii) make a general assignment
      for the benefit of its creditors, (iii) commence a voluntary case under
      the United States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect, the
      "Bankruptcy Code"), (iv) institute any proceeding or file a petition
      seeking to take advantage of any other law relating to bankruptcy,
      insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, or
      composition or readjustment of debts, (v) fail to controvert in a timely
      and appropriate manner, or acquiesce in writing to, any petition filed
      against it in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any
      other such law, or (vi) take any corporate or other action for the purpose
      of effecting any of the foregoing.

            (v) A proceeding or case shall be commenced, without the
      application, approval or consent of the Defaulting Party, in any court of
      competent jurisdiction, seeking (i) its reorganization, liquidation,
      dissolution, arrangement or winding-up, or the composition or readjustment
      of the Defaulting Party's debts, (ii) the appointment of a receiver,
      rehabilitator, conservator, custodian, trustee, liquidator or the like of
      such entity or of all or any substantial part of its property, or (iii)
      similar relief in respect of the Defaulting Party under any law relating
      to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up, or composition or
      adjustment of debts, and such proceeding or case shall continue
      undismissed, or an order, judgment or decree approving or ordering any of
      the foregoing shall be entered and continue unstayed and in effect, for a
      period of sixty (60) or more days; or an order for relief against the
      Defaulting Party shall be entered in an involuntary case under the
      Bankruptcy Code.

            (vi) The Defaulting Party shall fail to discharge within a period of
      thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof any unstayed attachment,
      sequestration, forfeiture, or similar

                                       9
<PAGE>

      proceeding or proceedings involving an aggregate amount in excess of $1.0
      million against any of its properties.

            (vii) A final judgment or judgments for the payment of money in
      excess of $1.0 million in the aggregate shall be rendered by a court or
      courts against the Defaulting Party and the same shall not be discharged
      (or provision shall not be made for such discharge), or a stay of
      execution thereof shall not be procured, within thirty (30) days from the
      date of entry thereof and the Defaulting Party shall not, within said
      period of thirty (30) days, or such longer period during which execution
      of the same shall have been stayed, appeal therefrom and cause the
      execution thereof to be stayed during such appeal.

            (viii) The Defaulting Party shall fail to pay when due any principal
      of or interest on any indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of
      $500,000, or the maturity of any such indebtedness shall have been
      accelerated, or any such indebtedness shall have been required to be
      prepaid in full prior to the stated maturity thereof, or any event shall
      have occurred that permits (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time
      or both, would permit) any holder or holders of such indebtedness or any
      Person acting on behalf of such holder or holders to accelerate the
      maturity thereof or require any such prepayment.

25. BINDING ARBITRATION. Any dispute, controversy, or claim among or between the
Parties relating to or arising from this Agreement shall be submitted to and
settled by binding arbitration ("Arbitration"), administered by the Dallas,
Texas office of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") and conducted
pursuant to the current rules of the AAA governing commercial disputes. The
Arbitration hearing shall take place in Dallas, Texas, unless otherwise agreed
to by the Parties. Such Arbitration shall be before three neutral arbitrators
(the "Panel") licensed to practice law and familiar with commercial disputes.
Any award rendered in any Arbitration shall be final and conclusive upon the
Parties, and the judgment thereon may be entered in the highest court of the
forum (state or federal) having jurisdiction over the issues addressed in the
Arbitration. The administration fees and expenses of the Arbitration shall be
borne equally by the NASE and CARRIER, provided that each Party shall pay for
and bear the cost of its own experts, evidence, and attorney's fees, except
that, in the discretion of the Panel, any award may include the cost of a
Party's counsel and/or its share of the expense of Arbitration if the Panel
expressly determines that an award of such costs is appropriate to the Party
whose position substantially prevails in such Arbitration. To submit a matter to
Arbitration, the Party seeking redress shall notify in writing the Party against
whom such redress is sought, describe the nature of such claim, the provision of
this Vendor Agreement that has allegedly been violated and the material facts
surrounding such claim. The Panel shall render a single written decision. The
decision of the Panel shall be binding upon the Parties, and after the
completion of such Arbitration, the Parties may only institute litigation
regarding the Agreement for the sole purpose of enforcing the determination of
the Arbitration hearing or seeking injunctive or equitable relief.

                                       10
<PAGE>

26. TERMINATION OF 1996 AGREEMENT. Effective upon the date hereof, the 1996
Agreement is hereby terminated and rendered of no further force or effect;
provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall affect any rights of
either Party under the 1996 Agreement accrued as of the date hereof.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED, INC.

                                By:  _______________________________________

                                Print Name:  _______________________________
                                Title:  ____________________________________

                                THE MEGA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY

                                By:  _______________________________________

                                Print Name:  _______________________________

                                Title:  ____________________________________

                                       11

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00088-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00088-of-00352.parquet"}]]