618.32(1)
(1)
Report to commissioner. Any action by which a nondomestic insurer proposes to transfer to another person or to reinsure any part of its insurance business in this state, other than in the normal and usual course of business, shall be reported to the commissioner not less than 30 days in advance of the proposed effective date. The commissioner may defer the effective date for an additional period not exceeding 30 days by written notice to the insurer before expiration of the initial 30-day period.
618.32(2)
(2) Disapproval. The commissioner may, within the 30-day period or its extension, prohibit the proposed action if it would be contrary to the law or to the interests of insureds, creditors or the public in this state.
618.32 History
History: 1971 c. 260.
618.34
618.34
Assessment by nondomestic company. Every nondomestic mutual insurer authorized in this state shall, immediately after making an assessment upon any of its members in this state, notify the commissioner thereof with a statement of the condition of the insurer, setting forth the facts showing the necessity for the assessment. No such insurer may make or increase any assessment because of its inability to collect assessments from its members in other states in which its policies were written in violation of law.
618.34 History
History: 1971 c. 260.
618.36
618.36
Release from regulation. 618.36(1)
(1)
Continuance of regulation. A nondomestic insurer authorized under this chapter is subject to regulation under the applicable provisions of
chs. 600 to
646 until released from regulation under this section.
618.36(2)
(2) Application for release. A nondomestic insurer may apply for release from regulation by filing with the commissioner:
618.36(2)(b)
(b) A schedule of its outstanding liabilities from policies issued in this state, to residents of this state, or on risks located in this state and from other business transactions in this state;
618.36(2)(c)
(c) A plan for securing the discharge of such liabilities; and
618.36(2)(d)
(d) Such other information as the commissioner reasonably requires.
618.36(3)
(3) Release order. The commissioner shall release the insurer from regulation if he or she finds:
618.36(3)(a)
(a) That the insurer has ceased to do any new business in this state;
618.36(3)(b)
(b) That the discharge of existing liabilities to creditors in this state is sufficiently secured; and
618.36(3)(c)
(c) That the release would not otherwise be prejudicial to the interests of insureds, creditors or the public in this state, or of all insureds, creditors and the public in the United States if this state is the state of entry of the insurer into the United States.
618.36(4)
(4) Notification or publication. The commissioner may, before deciding on the release, require the insurer to notify all agents or other classes of potentially interested persons in a manner he or she prescribes, or in a manner he or she prescribes to publish at its own expense its intention to withdraw. The notice shall advise affected persons to communicate to the commissioner any objections they may have to the withdrawal.
618.36(5)
(5) Deposits and subjection to jurisdiction. The commissioner may, as a prerequisite for releasing the insurer, require a deposit under
s. 601.13, a bond issued by a surety authorized in this state, or other appropriate security or reinsurance in an amount sufficient to secure the proper discharge of the insurer's liabilities in this state. The commissioner may also require an agreement to remain subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner and the courts of this state with respect to any matter arising out of business done in this state prior to the release.
618.37
618.37
Revocation of certificate of authority. Whenever there are grounds for delinquency proceedings against a nondomestic insurer under
ch. 645, the commissioner may, after a hearing, revoke, suspend or limit its certificate of authority. No such action shall affect insurance already issued and the insurer shall remain subject to regulation until released under
s. 618.36.
618.37 History
History: 1971 c. 260.
PERMISSIBLE BUSINESS BY UNAUTHORIZED INSURERS
618.39
618.39
Assisting unauthorized insurers. 618.39(1)
(1)
Conduct prohibited. No person may do an insurance business in this state if the person knows or should know that the result is or might be the illegal placement of insurance with an unauthorized insurer or the subsequent servicing of an insurance policy illegally placed with an unauthorized insurer.
618.39(2)
(2) Personal liability for violation. Any person who violates
sub. (1) is personally liable to any claimant under the policy for any damage proximately caused by the person's violation. That damage may include damage resulting from the necessity of replacing the insurance in an authorized insurer or the failure of the unauthorized insurer to perform the insurance contract.
618.39 History
History: 1971 c. 260;
1975 c. 371,
421.
618.39 Annotation
Legislative Council Note, 1975: Sub. (2) is added as an effective sanction to suppress knowing placement of insurance with unauthorized insurers. It is adapted from Conn. Insurance Laws, Sec. 38-90. Insurance agents and others should guarantee performance of insurance contracts they negotiate knowingly with unlicensed insurers, unless legally negotiated under the surplus lines law. In addition, the sanctions of s. 601.64 apply to violators of this provision. [Bill 16-S]
618.41
618.41
Surplus lines insurance. 618.41(1)
(1)
General permission. A nondomestic insurer which has not obtained a certificate of authority to do business in this state under
s. 618.12 may negotiate for and make insurance contracts with persons in this state and on risks located in this state, subject to the limitations and requirements specified in this section.
618.41(2)
(2) Incidental acts permitted. With respect to contracts made under this section, the insurer may in this state also inspect risks to be insured, collect premiums and adjust losses, and do all other acts reasonably incidental to the contract.
618.41(3)
(3) Solicitation prohibited. Nothing in
subs. (1) and
(2) permits the solicitation of business in this state by or on behalf of an insurer without a certificate of authority. The commissioner may by rule prescribe the manner in which insurance agents or brokers may advertise the availability of their services in procuring, on behalf of persons seeking insurance, contracts with insurers without a certificate of authority.
618.41(4)
(4) Information to policyholder. The insurer and any agent or broker are obligated promptly to furnish the policyholder a statement in a form prescribed or approved by the commissioner, informing the policyholder that the insurer has not obtained a certificate of authority to do business in this state and is not regulated in this state except as provided in this section.
618.41(5)
(5) Trade practices. With respect to contracts made under this section, nondomestic insurers are subject to
s. 628.34 and rules promulgated thereunder.
618.41(6)
(6) Prohibited and restricted surplus lines business. 618.41(6)(a)(a) Prohibited classes. The commissioner may by rule prohibit the making of contracts under
sub. (1) in a specified class of insurance if authorized insurers provide an established market for the class in this state which is adequate and reasonably competitive with reputable unauthorized insurers.
618.41(6)(b)
(b)
Restricted classes. The commissioner may by rule place restrictions and limitations on and create special procedures for the making of contracts under
sub. (1) for a specified class of insurance if there have been abuses of placements in the class or if the policyholders in the class, because of limited financial resources, business experience or knowledge, cannot be expected to protect their own interests adequately.
618.41(6)(c)
(c)
Exclusion of individual insurers. The commissioner may prohibit an individual insurer or group policyholder, including but not limited to a risk purchasing group, from making any contracts under
sub. (1) or issuing evidence of coverage and may prohibit all insurance agents and brokers from dealing with the insurer or group policyholder, if:
618.41(6)(c)3.
3. The commissioner has reason to believe that the insurer, or the insurer which issued the policy to a group policyholder, is in an unsound condition or the insurer or group policyholder is operated in a fraudulent, dishonest or incompetent manner or in violation of the law of its domicile.
618.41(6)(d)
(d)
Evaluations. The commissioner may issue lists of unauthorized nondomestic insurers whose solidity he or she believes to be doubtful or whose practices he or she believes to be objectionable. The commissioner may issue lists of unauthorized nondomestic insurers he or she believes to be reliable and solid. The commissioner may also issue other relevant evaluations of unauthorized insurers. No action may lie against the commissioner or any employe of the office for anything said in the issuance of such lists and evaluations.
618.41(6m)
(6m) Rustproofing warranties insurance. An insurer issuing a policy of insurance to cover a warranty, as defined in
s. 100.205 (1) (g), shall comply with
s. 632.18 and the policy shall be on a form approved by the commissioner under
s. 631.20.
618.41(7)(a)(a) The commissioner may, pursuant to
s. 628.04 (2), issue to any licensed agent or broker a surplus lines license granting authority to procure insurance under this section.
618.41(7m)
(7m) Risk purchasing groups; licensed agents. A natural person may not solicit, negotiate or obtain liability insurance for a risk purchasing group from an unauthorized insurer unless the natural person is licensed as a surplus lines agent under
sub. (7).
618.41(8)
(8) Surplus lines agents, brokers and group policyholders. 618.41(8)(a)(a)
Responsibility. An agent or broker, or any other person who offers liability insurance coverage under a group policy, may not place insurance under this section with, or solicit the purchase of coverage under a group policy issued by, an unauthorized insurer if all of the following exist:
618.41(8)(a)1.
1. The insurer is financially unsound, engaging in unfair practices or otherwise substandard.
618.41(8)(a)2.
2. The agent, broker or other person fails to give the applicant written notice of the insurer's deficiencies.
618.41(8)(a)3.
3. The agent, broker or other person either knows of, or fails to adequately investigate, the insurer's financial condition and general reputation.
618.41(8)(b)
(b)
Retention of notice. An agent, broker or group policyholder shall keep in its office for at least 5 years any notice provided under
par. (a) 2.
618.41(8)(c)
(c)
Financially sound. To be financially sound for purposes of
par. (a) 1., an insurer must be able to satisfy standards comparable to those applied under the laws of this state to authorized insurers.
618.41(9)
(9) Requirements for surplus lines policies. 618.41(9)(a)(a)
Required information. Every new or renewal insurance policy procured and delivered under this section shall bear the name and address of the insurance agent or broker who procured it and, except for ocean marine insurance, shall have stamped or affixed upon it the following: "This insurance contract is with an insurer which has not obtained a certificate of authority to transact a regular insurance business in the state of Wisconsin, and is issued and delivered as a surplus line coverage pursuant to
s. 618.41 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
Section 618.43 (1), Wisconsin Statutes, requires payment by the policyholder of 3% tax on gross premium". Every ocean marine insurance policy shall have stamped or affixed upon it the above statement except that the tax shall be one-half of one per cent on gross premium.
618.41(9)(b)
(b)
Additional required information. The policy shall include a description of the subject of the insurance, and indicate the coverage, conditions and term of the insurance, the premium charged and premium taxes to be collected from the policyholder, and the name and address of the policyholder and insurer. If the direct risk is assumed by more than one insurer, the policy shall state the names and addresses of all insurers and the portion of the entire direct risk each has assumed.
618.41(10)
(10) Issuance of evidence of insurance. Upon placing a new or renewal coverage under this section, the agent or broker shall promptly deliver to the policyholder or his or her agent evidence of the insurance consisting either of the policy as issued by the insurer or, if the policy is not then available, a certificate, cover note or other confirmation of insurance.
618.41(11)
(11) Form regulation. The commissioner may by rule subject policies written under this section to as much of the regulation provided by
chs. 600 to
646 and
655 for comparable policies written by authorized insurers as the commissioner finds to be necessary to protect the interests of insureds and the public in this state.
618.41 Annotation
Independent actual notice to policyholder in absence of stamping or affixing information required under (9) (a) to policy held insufficient. Combined Investigative v. Scottsdale Ins., 165 W (2d) 262, 477 NW (2d) 82 (Ct. App. 1991).
618.415
618.415
Group liability insurance issued by an unauthorized insurer. 618.415(1)(1)
Notice before taking application. A person may not take an application for liability insurance coverage under a group liability insurance policy which is issued by an unauthorized insurer and which is for a risk that resides or is otherwise located in this state, unless before taking the application the person gives the applicant clear and prominent written notice of all of the following:
618.415(1)(b)
(b) That the insurer has not obtained a certificate of authority in this state and is not regulated in this state.
618.415(1)(c)
(c) That the risk is not protected by the Wisconsin insurance security fund.
618.415(1)(d)
(d) Any other information required by the commissioner by rule.
618.415(2)
(2) Notice in the evidence of insurance. A person may not provide liability insurance coverage under a group insurance policy which is issued by an unauthorized insurer to a member for a risk that resides or is otherwise located in this state, unless the evidence of insurance clearly and prominently includes all of the following:
618.415(2)(b)
(b) That the risk is not protected by the Wisconsin insurance security fund.
618.415(2)(c)
(c) Any other information required by the commissioner by rule.
618.415 History
History: 1987 a. 247.
618.42
618.42
Direct procurement of insurance. 618.42(1)
(1)
Permitted direct procurement. Subject to the restrictions of this section, any person seeking insurance may obtain it if no agent or broker resident or doing business in this state is involved and if negotiations occur primarily outside this state. Negotiations by mail occur within this state if a letter is sent from or to an address in this state.
618.42(2)
(2) Reports and taxation. Every policyholder who procures or renews insurance otherwise subject to
chs. 600 to
646 and
655 from any insurer not authorized to do business in this state, other than insurance procured under
s. 618.41 and the renewal of guaranteed renewable insurance lawfully issued outside this state, shall within 60 days after the insurance procured or renewed report to the commissioner in such form as he or she requires and pay the taxes specified by
s. 618.43.
618.42(3)
(3) Prohibited placement with unauthorized insurers. 618.42(3)(a)(a)
Sales of personal property. Any insurance on personal property sold on the instalment plan or under a conditional sales contract or equivalent security agreement under
chs. 401 to
411 for which a charge is made to the buyer as a part of the consideration in the agreement of sale shall be placed with an insurer authorized to do business in this state.
618.42(3)(c)
(c)
Compulsory insurance. Whenever the law of this state requires a person to purchase insurance on risks in this state, the person shall obtain it from an insurer authorized to do business in this state, or under
s. 618.41.
618.43
618.43
Taxation of insurance written by unauthorized insurers. 618.43(1)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), insurers, agents, brokers and policyholders are liable, as provided in
sub. (2), for a premium tax of 3% of gross premiums charged for insurance, excluding annuities, if any of the following are satisfied:
618.43(1)(a)2.
2. The insurance is transacted by an unauthorized insurer which is a risk retention group.
618.43(1)(a)3.
3. The insurance is transacted by an unauthorized insurer for a risk purchasing group for coverage of risks which reside or are otherwise located in this state.
618.43(1)(b)
(b) For ocean marine insurance, the tax required under this subsection is 0.5% of gross premiums charged for the insurance.
618.43(1)(c)
(c) If the tax required under this subsection is not paid within the time prescribed under
sub. (3), the commissioner shall impose a penalty of 25%, plus one percent per month from default until payment.
618.43(1)(d)
(d) Any insurance business transacted in violation of the law is subject to a premium tax of 5% of gross premiums charged for the insurance, except that for ocean marine insurance the tax is 2% of gross premiums charged for the insurance.
618.43(2)
(2) Payment of tax. The insurance agent or broker and the policyholder are jointly and severally liable for the payment of the tax required under
sub. (1) on business written under
s. 618.41 (1), and the insurer, insurance agent or broker and policyholder are jointly and severally liable for the payment of any other tax required under
sub. (1). The tax shall ultimately be paid by the policyholder. Absorption of the tax by either the agent or broker or the insurer is an unfair method of competition under
s. 628.34 (2) (b).
