344.185(1)(b)
(b) The owner deposits the security required under
s. 344.13 (3) and pays the expenses incurred by the department in impounding the vehicle.
344.185(2)(a)(a) Any impounded vehicle which is not returned to the owner within 30 days after impoundment shall be sold by the department.
344.185(2)(b)
(b) If the owner is making a good faith attempt to redeem the vehicle under
sub. (1), the department may grant an extension of up to 30 additional days before selling the vehicle.
344.185(2)(c)
(c) The department, upon request, may permit the person who, according to the department's records, holds a security interest in the vehicle to accept and maintain custody of the vehicle after impoundment or to sell the vehicle in a commercially reasonable manner at a public or private sale. The proceeds of the sale under this paragraph shall be transmitted to the department for distribution under
par. (e).
344.185(2)(d)
(d) If the vehicle is sold, any person who is the holder of a security interest which is perfected under
s. 342.19 shall be notified of the sale and any person who holds a security interest, mortgage or other interest in the vehicle and who acquired the security interest, the mortgage or other interest in good faith may file a claim within 30 days after the sale with the department.
344.185(2)(e)1.1. The money from the sale of a vehicle shall be used first for payment of all proper expenses of impounding, preparing for the sale and selling the vehicle, including expenses for seizure, maintenance of custody and advertising. Any remaining money may be paid to a claimant under
par. (d) in the priority provided under
s. 342.19.
344.185(2)(e)2.
2. All other proceeds of the sale remaining after the payments under
subd. 1. shall be retained by the secretary and applied as security for payment of judgments and assignments as provided under
s. 344.20 (2). Any amounts not used to pay judgments or assignments shall be transmitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the school fund.
344.185(3)(a)
(a) A creditor with a security interest in a vehicle which is ordered sold under this section may accelerate the maturity of the secured indebtedness, is not required to give notice of default and right to cure, may accept custody of the vehicle and may conduct the sale of the vehicle as provided under
sub. (2) (c) without sending notification of the sale to the debtor and may receive proceeds from the sale as provided under
sub. (2) (e).
344.185(3)(b)
(b) The owner of a vehicle which is ordered sold under this section is deemed in default under the instrument securing the indebtedness but has no right to cure the default or redeem the vehicle once the sale has been ordered, may not receive any proceeds from the sale and remains liable to a secured party for any deficiency which remains unsatisfied after the distribution under
sub. (2) (e).
344.185(4)
(4) When a vehicle is sold by or at the direction of the department under this section, the sale transfers to the purchaser for value all of the owner's rights therein, and discharges all security interests in the vehicle. The purchaser takes free of all such rights and interests even though the sale is not conducted in a commercially reasonable manner or the department fails to give the notifications required under
s. 344.14 (4) (a):
344.185(4)(a)
(a) In the case of the public sale, if the purchaser has no knowledge of such defects in the sale and does not buy in collusion with the department, other bidders or the person conducting the sale; or
344.185(4)(b)
(b) In any other case, if the purchaser acts in good faith.
344.185 History
History: 1981 c. 363.
344.19
344.19
Applicability to nonresidents, unlicensed drivers, unregistered motor vehicles and accidents in other states. 344.19(1)(1) If the operator or the owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident within this state has no license or registration, whether because the operator or owner is a nonresident or because the operator or owner is a resident who has failed or neglected to obtain a license or registration in this state, the operator or owner shall not be allowed a license or registration until the operator or owner has complied with the requirements of this chapter to the same extent as would be necessary if, at the time of the accident, the operator or owner had held a license and registration in this state.
344.19(2)
(2) If the operating privilege or registration of a nonresident is revoked pursuant to
s. 344.14, the secretary shall transmit a certified copy of the record of such action to the administrator of the division of motor vehicles or equivalent official of the state in which that person resides if the law of the state in which that person resides provides for similar action by the administrator or equivalent official of that state in the event that a resident of this state has a nonresident's operating privilege or registration in that state suspended or revoked for failure to comply with the safety responsibility law of that state.
344.19(3)
(3) Upon receipt of such certification from another state to the effect that the operating privilege or registration of a resident of this state has been suspended or revoked in such other state pursuant to a law providing for its suspension or revocation for failure to deposit security for payment of judgments arising out of a motor vehicle accident, under circumstances which would require the secretary to revoke a nonresident's operating privilege or registration had the accident occurred in this state, the secretary shall revoke the license of such resident if he or she was the operator and all of his or her registrations if he or she was the owner of a motor vehicle involved in such accident. The department may accept a certification which is in the form of a combined notice of required security and suspension or revocation order, but shall not revoke a resident's operating privilege or registration on the basis of such order until at least 30 days have elapsed since the time for depositing security in the other state expired. A revocation of operating privilege under this section shall continue until such resident furnishes evidence of his or her compliance with the law of the other state relating to the deposit of security, the fee required under
s. 343.21 (1) (j) has been paid and the applicable provisions of
s. 343.38 have been complied with. A revocation of registration under this section shall continue until such resident furnishes evidence of his or her compliance with the law of the other state relating to the deposit of security, the fee required under
s. 341.36 (1m) has been paid and the requirements of
sub. (3m) are satisfied.
344.19(3g)
(3g) The secretary shall refuse registration of any vehicle owned by a person whose registration has been revoked under
sub. (3).
344.19(3m)(a)(a) Unless 3 years have elapsed since compliance of the resident with the law of the other state relating to the deposit of security, the resident whose registration was suspended or revoked under
sub. (3) or whose operating privilege or registration was suspended under s.
344.19 (3), 1989 stats., shall file with the department proof of financial responsibility in the amount, form and manner specified in this chapter. The person shall maintain the proof of financial responsibility at all times for 3 years following reinstatement or renewal of the registration while the registration of any vehicle owned by the resident is in effect or, for suspension of operating privilege, for 3 years following reinstatement or renewal of the license while the license is in effect.
344.19(3m)(b)
(b) This subsection applies as a condition precedent to renewal or reinstatement of an operating privilege or registration suspended under s.
344.19 (3), 1989 stats.
344.19 History
History: 1977 c. 29 ss.
1464,
1654 (7) (a), (c);
1991 a. 269,
316.
344.20
344.20
Custody, disposition and return of security. 344.20(1)(1) Security shall be deposited with the secretary in compliance with this chapter.
344.20(2)
(2) The secretary shall apply the security only to the payment of judgments and assignments and only as provided in this subsection:
344.20(2)(a)
(a) The security may be applied to the payment of judgments for damages arising out of the accident in question rendered against either operator or owner for the damages resulting from such accident in an action at law. Any party to such action in favor of whom a judgment was rendered may move to have the court order the secretary to transmit to the court for application to the payment of the judgment the money or securities available for such purpose, and the court may so order. The secretary shall transmit to the clerk of the court the money or securities in the amount authorized by
par. (c) or in the amount specified in the court order if less than the amount so authorized. Securities transmitted shall be valued at the same amount as when received by the department. Any excess shall be returned by the court to the secretary to be held by the secretary subject to the provisions of this chapter.
344.20(2)(b)
(b) Subject to the restrictions imposed by
par. (c), the security may be applied to the payment of a duly acknowledged assignment by the person who made the deposit, provided the assignment is accompanied by releases signed by all parties in interest and releasing the assignor from all liability to such parties on account of damages arising out of the accident in question.
344.20(2)(c)
(c) No amount in excess of the portion designated by the secretary as having been deposited on account of damages suffered by the assignee or judgment creditor or person representing either of them shall be paid out on behalf of such person unless the depositor has been released from liability by all other parties in interest. In the latter event, the deposit may be applied to the payment of the judgment or assignment in question without regard to the designations.
344.20(3)(a)(a) The deposit of security or any balance thereof shall be returned to the depositor or the personal representative under the conditions provided in
par. (b) or
(c).
344.20(3)(b)
(b) The deposit or any balance thereof shall be returned when evidence satisfactory to the secretary has been filed that one of the contingencies specified in
s. 344.18 (1) (b),
(c) or
(d) or
(3) (b) has occurred.
344.20(3)(c)
(c) If the provisions of
s. 344.18 (1) (b),
(c) or
(d) or
(3) (b) are not applicable, the deposit or any balance thereof shall be returned when one year has elapsed from the date the deposit was made and during that period no notice has been filed with the secretary by any claimant that an action was commenced by a party in interest. If the action was commenced in a court of record, the notice required by this paragraph shall include a certified copy of the summons and complaint or counterclaim or cross complaint and proof of service filed therein. In all cases of service under
s. 345.09, an additional notice and service must be made under this chapter to avail oneself of the provisions of this chapter.
344.20(4)
(4) Security deposited under this section shall be paid into the transportation fund and invested in accordance with
s. 25.17 (1) (v).
344.21
344.21
Matters not to be evidence in civil suits. Neither the report required following an accident, the action taken by the department pursuant to this chapter, the findings, if any, upon which such action is based nor the security filed as provided in this chapter shall be referred to in any way or be any evidence of the negligence or due care of either party at the trial of any action at law to recover damages, but this shall not be construed to exclude a notice of insurance filed pursuant to
s. 344.14 or
344.15 (4), or both, from being admissible in evidence where it would otherwise be material and admissible under the rules of evidence.
344.22
344.22
Short title. Sections 344.12 to
344.22 and the general provisions applicable thereto may be cited as the safety responsibility law.
PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE FUTURE
344.24
344.24
Applicability of sections relating to proof of financial responsibility for the future. Sections 344.29 to
344.41 are applicable in all cases in which a person is required to deposit proof of financial responsibility for the future, including those cases in which a person is required to deposit proof of financial responsibility for the future under
ss. 344.25 to
344.27, those cases in which the deposit of proof of financial responsibility for the future is a condition precedent to renewal or reinstatement of an operating privilege or registration suspended or revoked under
s. 344.14,
344.18 (3) or
344.19 (3) and those cases in which the deposit of proof of financial responsibility for the future is a condition precedent to issuance of an operator's license under
s. 343.38 (4) or reinstatement of an operating privilege revoked pursuant to
ch. 343.
344.24 History
History: 1989 a. 72;
1991 a. 269.
344.25
344.25
Revocation of license and registration for nonpayment of judgment; exceptions. Upon the receipt, under
s. 344.05, of a certified copy of a judgment for damages in excess of $500 arising out of a motor vehicle accident, the secretary shall forthwith revoke the operating privilege and all registrations of the person against whom such judgment was rendered, subject to the following exceptions:
344.25(1)
(1) If the judgment arose out of an accident caused by the ownership or operation, with permission, of a vehicle owned by or leased to the United States, this state or any county or municipality of this state or a vehicle subject to the requirements of
s. 121.53,
194.41 or
194.42, the secretary shall not revoke such license or registration.
344.25(2)
(2) If the judgment creditor consents in writing in such form as the secretary may prescribe that the judgment debtor be allowed to retain or reinstate the operating privilege and registrations, the same may be allowed by the secretary for 6 months from the date of such consent and thereafter until such consent is revoked in writing, notwithstanding default in the payment of such judgment or of any instalments thereof as prescribed in
s. 344.27, provided the judgment debtor furnishes proof of financial responsibility for the future and maintains such proof at all times when such license and registrations are in effect during a period of 3 years following the entry of the judgment.
344.25(3)
(3) The secretary shall not revoke such license or registrations if the judgment debtor obtains a court order for instalment payments and furnishes proof of financial responsibility as provided in
s. 344.27.
344.25(5)
(5) When the secretary receives certification of the entry of a damage judgment in accordance with
s. 344.05 against a resident of this state which has been entered by an Indian tribal court in this state or by a court in another jurisdiction, the secretary shall give notice to the person of the receipt of the certification of judgment. If satisfaction of such judgment is not made and copy of such satisfaction filed with the secretary within 30 days from the date such notice was given, the secretary shall revoke the license and registrations of such judgment debtor.
344.25(6)
(6) Notwithstanding
sub. (5),
subs. (2) and
(3) apply to a damage judgment in accordance with
s. 344.05 against a resident of this state which has been entered by an Indian tribal court in this state.
344.26
344.26
Revocation to continue until judgment paid and proof of financial responsibility given. 344.26(1)
(1) Subject to the exceptions stated in
ss. 344.25 (2) and
344.27 (2), any operating privilege or registration revoked pursuant to
s. 344.25 shall remain revoked until every judgment mentioned in
s. 344.25 is stayed, satisfied or discharged and, unless 3 years have elapsed since the date of entry of the judgment which was the cause for revocation, until the person whose operating privilege and registration was revoked furnishes proof of financial responsibility for the future and maintains such proof at all times during such 3-year period when the operating privilege or registration is in effect.
344.26(3)
(3) Judgments in excess of the amounts specified in
s. 344.01 (2) (d) shall, for the purpose of this section only, be deemed satisfied when payments in the amounts so specified have been credited thereon. Payments made in settlement of any claims because of bodily injury, death or property damage arising from a motor vehicle accident shall be credited in reduction of the respective amounts so specified.
344.26 History
History: 1975 c. 297.
344.27
344.27
Instalment payment of judgments; revocation upon default. 344.27(1)(1) A judgment debtor upon due notice to the judgment creditor may apply to the court in which such judgment was rendered for the privilege of paying such judgment in instalments and the court, in its discretion and without prejudice to any other legal remedies which the judgment creditor may have, may so order and fix the amounts and times of payment of the instalments.
344.27(2)
(2) The secretary shall not revoke the operating privilege or registration and shall restore any operating privilege or registration revoked following nonpayment of a judgment when the judgment debtor obtains such order permitting the payment of the judgment in instalments and, unless 3 years have elapsed since the entry of judgment, furnishes and maintains proof of financial responsibility for the future.
344.27(3)
(3) If the judgment debtor fails to pay any instalment as specified by such order, the secretary, upon notice of such default, shall forthwith revoke the operating privilege and registrations of the judgment debtor until such judgment is satisfied as provided in
s. 344.26.
344.27 History
History: 1977 c. 29 s.
1654 (7) (c).
344.29
344.29
Proof of financial responsibility for the future required. Proof of financial responsibility for the future shall be furnished by any person required to give such proof under
ss. 344.25 to
344.27, those cases in which the deposit of proof of financial responsibility for the future is a condition precedent to renewal or reinstatement of an operating privilege or registration suspended or revoked under
s. 344.14,
344.18 (3) or
344.19 (3) and in those cases in which the deposit of proof of financial responsibility for the future is a condition precedent to issuance of an operator's license under
s. 343.38 (4) or reinstatement of an operating privilege revoked under
ch. 343.
344.30
344.30
Methods of giving proof of financial responsibility. Whenever a person is required under
ch. 343 or this chapter to give proof of financial responsibility for the future, such proof may be given by filing:
344.30(3)
(3) A certificate of deposit of money or securities as provided in
s. 344.37; or
344.30(4)
(4) A certificate of self-insurance as provided in
s. 344.16, supplemented by an agreement by the self-insurer that, with respect to accidents occurring while the certificate is in force, the self-insurer will pay the same amounts that an insurer would have been obligated to pay under a motor vehicle liability policy if it had issued such a policy to such self-insurer.
344.31
344.31
Certification of insurance as proof. Proof of financial responsibility for the future may be furnished by filing with the secretary the written certification of any insurer duly authorized to do business in this state that there is in effect a motor vehicle liability policy for the benefit of the person required to furnish proof of financial responsibility or by transmitting such certification to the secretary by another means approved by the secretary. Such certification shall give the effective date of such motor vehicle liability policy, which date shall be the same as the effective date of the certification and shall certify coverage for any motor vehicle operated by the named insured.
344.31 Annotation
No policy issued pursuant to the ch. 344 financial responsibility statutes may exclude coverage for persons related by blood or marriage to the operator as mandated by s. 632.32 (6) (b) 1. Bindrim v. Colonial Ins. Co. 190 W (2d) 525, 527 NW (2d) 321 (1995).
344.32
344.32
Certification furnished by nonresidents as proof. 344.32(1)(1) A nonresident may give proof of financial responsibility by filing with the secretary a written certification of an insurer authorized to transact an automobile liability or surety business in the state in which the person resides or by transmitting such certification to the secretary by another means approved by the secretary, provided the certification otherwise conforms to this chapter. The secretary shall accept the certification if the insurer complies with the following with respect to the policies so certified:
344.32(1)(a)
(a) Such insurer shall execute a power of attorney authorizing the secretary to accept service on its behalf of notice or process in any action arising out of a motor vehicle accident in this state.
344.32(1)(b)
(b) Such insurer shall agree in writing that such policies shall be deemed to conform with the laws of this state relating to the terms of motor vehicle liability policies issued herein.
344.32(2)
(2) If any insurer not authorized to transact business in this state, which has qualified to furnish proof of financial responsibility, defaults in any such undertakings or agreements, the secretary shall not thereafter accept as proof any certification of such carrier whether theretofore filed or thereafter tendered as proof, so long as such default continues.
344.33
344.33
"Motor vehicle liability policy" defined. 344.33(1)(1)
Certification. In this chapter, "motor vehicle liability policy" means a motor vehicle policy of liability insurance, certified as provided in
s. 344.31 or
344.32 as proof of financial responsibility for the future, and issued, except as otherwise provided in
s. 344.32, by an insurer authorized to do an automobile liability business in this state to or for the benefit of the person named in the policy as the insured.
344.33(2)
(2) Motor vehicle liability policy. A motor vehicle policy of liability insurance shall insure the person named therein using any motor vehicle with the express or implied permission of the owner, against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the maintenance or use of the motor vehicle within the United States of America or the Dominion of Canada, subject to the limits exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each such motor vehicle as follows: $25,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to such limit for one person, $50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons in any one accident, and $10,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.
344.33(3)
(3) Required statements in policy. Such motor vehicle liability policy shall state the name and address of the named insured, the coverage afforded by the policy, the premium charged therefor, the policy period and the limits of liability, and shall contain an agreement or be endorsed that insurance is provided thereunder in accordance with the coverage defined in this chapter with respect to bodily injury and death or property damage, or both, and is subject to all the provisions of this chapter.
344.33(4)
(4) Certain types of coverage excluded. Such motor vehicle liability policy shall not insure any liability under any worker's compensation law as provided in
ch. 102 nor any liability on account of bodily injury to or death of any employe of the insured while engaged in the employment, other than domestic, of the insured, or while engaged in the operation, maintenance or repair of any such motor vehicle or any liability for damage to property owned by, rented to, in charge of or transported by the insured.
344.33(5)
(5) Provisions incorporated in policy by law. Every motor vehicle liability policy shall be subject to the following provisions which need not be contained therein:
344.33(5)(a)
(a) The policy may not be canceled or annulled as to such liability by any agreement between the insurer and the insured after the occurrence of any injury or damage covered by such motor vehicle liability policy.
344.33(5)(b)
(b) The satisfaction by the insured of a judgment for such injury or damage shall not be a condition precedent to the right or duty of the insurer to make payment on account of such injury or damage.
344.33(5)(c)
(c) The insurer shall have the right to settle any claim covered by the policy, and if such settlement is made in good faith, the amount thereof shall be deductible from the limits of liability specified in
sub. (2).
344.33(5)(d)
(d) The policy, the written application therefor, if any, and any rider or endorsement which does not conflict with the provisions of this chapter constitutes the entire contract between the parties.
344.33(6)
(6) Excess or additional coverage. Any policy which grants the coverage required for a motor vehicle liability policy may also grant any lawful coverage in excess of or in addition to the coverage specified for a motor vehicle liability policy and such excess or additional coverage is not subject to the provisions of this chapter. With respect to a policy which grants such excess or additional coverage the term "motor vehicle liability policy" applies only to that part of the coverage which is required by this section.
344.33(7)
(7) Reimbursement provision permitted. Any motor vehicle liability policy may provide that the insured shall reimburse the insurer for any payment the insurer would not have been obligated to make under the terms of the policy except for the provisions of this section.
