632.32 Annotation
A full-service car wash where vehicles are serviced and driven by employees is a service station and therefore a statutory motor vehicle handler under sub. (2) (b). Rocker v. USAA Casualty Insurance Company, 2006 WI 26,
289 Wis. 2d 294,
711 N.W.2d 634,
04-0356.
632.32 Annotation
The broad scope of the entire section is dependent upon whether a policy includes motor vehicle coverage, but each subsection can include provisions that exempt certain coverages from the scope as defined in sub. (1). An insurer cannot reduce the scope of the section simply because the motor vehicle coverage is issued as part of a comprehensive insurance policy. The statute can apply despite the fact that an insurer's policy excludes coverage for any vehicles owned by the insured, and no vehicles are specifically described in the policy. Under sub. (1), sub. (6) (a) applies to a policy that provides liability coverage for customers' automobiles while on or next to the premises. Rocker v. USAA Casualty Insurance Company, 2006 WI 26,
289 Wis. 2d 294,
711 N.W.2d 634,
04-0356.
632.32 Annotation
An umbrella policy insures with respect to a particular motor vehicle when the policy requires underlying insurance that does. Accordingly, under sub. (4m) [repealed
2009 Wis. Act 28], an insurer is required to notify its insured of the availability of underinsured motorist coverage under the umbrella policy. Under the circumstances of the case, that there was not a brief description of the coverage in the umbrella policy as required by sub. (4m) was not fatal when the underlying automobile policy gave the insured underinsured motorist coverage and also defined the coverage in a special full-page endorsement attached to the policy. Rebernick v. Wausau General Insurance Co. 2006 WI 27,
289 Wis. 2d 324,
711 N.W.2d 621,
04-0487.
632.32 Annotation
Sub. (6) (b) 1. applies to underinsured motorist coverage when issued as part of a policy containing liability insurance. Vieau v. American Family Mutual Insurance Company, 2006 WI 31,
289 Wis. 2d 552,
712 N.W.2d 661,
04-1358.
632.32 Annotation
When a tortfeasor injures more than one person in a single occurrence and the injured persons are not insured under the same underinsured motorist policy, a definition of an underinsured motor vehicle that compares the injured person's UIM limits to the limits of a tortfeasor's liability policy without regard to the amount the injured person actually receives from the tortfeasor's insurer is invalid under subs. (4m) [repealed
2009 Wis. Act 28] and (5)(i). A UIM policy must provide a fixed level of UIM recovery that will be arrived at by combining payments made from all sources. Welin v. American Family Mutual Insurance Company, 2006 WI 81,
292 Wis. 2d 73,
717 N.W.2d 690,
04-1513.
632.32 Annotation
The physical contact element for a hit-and-run accident under sub. (4) (a) 2. b. [repealed
2009 Wis. Act 28] requires: 1) a hit by the unidentified motor vehicle, or a part thereof, and 2) a hit to the insured's vehicle by another vehicle or part thereof, but not necessarily by the unidentified vehicle. DeHart v. Wisconsin Mutual Insurance Company, 2007 WI 91,
302 Wis. 2d 564,
734 N.W.2d 394,
05-2962.
632.32 Annotation
The insured's umbrella insurance applied to motor vehicle liability and constitutes a policy within the meaning of sub. (4m). The insurer was therefore required to provide notice of the availability of UIM coverage under that policy and failure to do so violated the mandate of the statute. Pursuant to s. 631.15 (3m), enforcing the umbrella policy "as if it conformed to the statute" entitles the insureds to only the level of coverage necessary for their policy to conform to sub. (4m) (d), $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident. Stone v. Acuity, 2008 WI 30,
308 Wis. 2d 558,
747 N.W. 2d 149,
05-1629.
632.32 Annotation
Meyer instructs that a limitation on uninsured motorist (UM) coverage under a commercial policy does not violate [former] sub. (4) (a) as long as the restriction does not apply to the purchaser or policyholder, but only to its employees. There is nothing to indicate that the legislature sought to require UM coverage for employees under commercial fleet policies, whether the absence of coverage arises from the definition of the named insured, which did not include employees, or from the definition of "covered autos," which did not include employees' nonowned autos. Mittnacht v. St. Paul Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. 2009 WI App 51,
316 Wis. 2d 787,
767 N.W.2d 301,
08-1036.
632.32 Annotation
"Motor vehicle described in the policy" under sub. (3) is not read to require the importation of a separate and broader definition of "covered auto" from a policy's liability insuring agreement into the policy's uninsured motorist insuring agreement. Mittnacht v. St. Paul Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. 2009 WI App 51,
316 Wis. 2d 787,
767 N.W.2d 301,
08-1036.
632.32 Annotation
This section did not extend coverage to a rental car: 1) that the driver was not authorized to drive; 2) that he took without the express permission of either the owner of the car or the lessee of the car; 3) when the named insured in the insurance policy under which coverage was sought was not the owner of the car involved in the accident; and 4) when the adult resident who crashed the car was not a named insured under the insurance policy at issue. For the omnibus statute to require coverage, two factors must be met: 1) the rental vehicle must be a "motor vehicle described in the policy"; and 2) the use of the rental vehicle must be "for purposes and in the manner described in the policy." Neither fact was present. Venerable v. Adams, 2009 WI App 76,
318 Wis. 2d 784,
767 N.W.2d 386,
08-2188.
632.32 Annotation
[Former] sub. (4) requires coverage when a detached piece of an unidentified motor vehicle is propelled into the insured's motor vehicle by an identified motor vehicle. There need not be first a "hit" and then a "run" for uninsured coverage. All that is required is that there be both a "hit" and a "run" (namely, a hit resulting from something done by the unidentified vehicle) in any sequence. Tomson v. American Family Mutual Insurance Company, 2009 WI App 150,
321 Wis. 2d 492,
775 N.W.2d 541,
08-2744.
632.32 Annotation
Uninsured motorist coverage: Wisconsin courts open up additional avenues of recovery. Dunphy. WBB Nov. 1982.
632.34
632.34
Defense of noncooperation. If a policy of automobile liability insurance provides a defense to the insurer for lack of cooperation on the part of the insured, the defense is not effective against a 3rd person making a claim against the insurer unless there was collusion between the 3rd person and the insured or unless the claimant was a passenger in or on the insured vehicle. If the defense is not effective against the claimant, after payment the insurer is subrogated to the injured person's claim against the insured to the extent of the payment and is entitled to reimbursement by the insured.
632.34 History
History: 1975 c. 375,
421;
1979 c. 102,
104,
177.
632.34 Annotation
Legislative Council Note, 1979: This provision is continued from former s. 632.34 (8). It is changed from a required provision of the policy to a rule of law. It is not the kind of rule that needs to be put in the policy to inform the policyholder. Indeed, the policyholder should receive no encouragement to fail to cooperate. This is a relaxation of present law. [Bill 146-S]
632.34 Annotation
Prejudice is not a component of the defense of noncooperation. Schaefer v. Northern Assurance Co.
182 Wis. 2d 148,
513 N.W.2d 16 (Ct. App. 1994).
632.35
632.35
Prohibited rejection, cancellation and nonrenewal. No insurer may cancel or refuse to issue or renew an automobile insurance policy wholly or partially because of one or more of the following characteristics of any person: age, sex, residence, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status or occupation.
632.35 History
History: 1975 c. 375;
1979 c. 102.
632.355
632.355
Prohibited bases for assessing risk. In issuing or renewing a motor vehicle insurance policy, an insurer may not do any of the following:
632.355(1)
(1) Place the applicant or insured in a high-risk category on the basis that the applicant or insured has not previously had motor vehicle insurance.
632.355 History
History: 2009 a. 28.
632.36
632.36
Accident in the course of business or employment. 632.36(1)(1)
Rate and other terms. An insurer may increase or charge a higher rate for a motor vehicle liability insurance policy issued or renewed on or after April 16, 1982, on the basis of an accident which occurs while the insured is operating a motor vehicle in the course of the insured's business or employment, only if the policy covers the insured for liability arising in the course of the insured's business or employment. An insurer may issue or renew a motor vehicle liability insurance policy on or after November 1, 1989, on terms that are less favorable to the insured than would otherwise be offered, including but not limited to the rate, because of an accident which occurs while the insured is operating a motor vehicle in the course of the insured's business or employment, only if the policy covers the insured for liability arising in the course of the insured's business or employment.
632.36(2)
(2) Cancellation or nonrenewal. An insurer may cancel a motor vehicle liability insurance policy that is issued or renewed on or after November 1, 1989, or refuse to renew a motor vehicle liability insurance policy on or after November 1, 1989, on the basis of an accident which occurs while the insured is operating a motor vehicle in the course of the insured's business or employment, only if the policy covers the insured for liability arising in the course of the insured's business or employment.
632.36 History
History: 1981 c. 178;
1989 a. 31.
632.365
632.365
Use of emission inspection data in setting rates. An insurer may not use odometer reading data collected in the course of an inspection under
s. 110.20 (6) or
(7) as a factor in setting rates or premiums for a motor vehicle liability insurance policy or as a factor in altering rates or premiums during the term, or at renewal, of such a policy. However, an insurer may use such data as a basis for investigation into the number of miles that the motor vehicle is normally driven.
632.365 History
History: 1991 a. 279;
1993 a. 213.
632.37
632.37
Motor vehicle glass repair practices; restriction on specifying vendor. An insurer that issues a motor vehicle insurance policy covering the repair or replacement of motor vehicle glass may not require, as a condition of that coverage, that an insured, or a 3rd party, making a claim under the policy for the repair or replacement of motor vehicle glass obtain services or parts from a particular vendor, or in a particular location, specified by the insurer.
632.37 History
History: 1991 a. 269.
632.38
632.38
Nonoriginal manufacturer replacement parts. 632.38(1)(a)
(a) "Insured" means the person who owns the motor vehicle that is subject to repair or the person seeking the repair on behalf of the owner.
632.38(1)(b)
(b) "Insurer's representative" means a person, excluding the person repairing the motor vehicle, who has agreed in writing to represent an insurer with respect to a claim.
632.38(1)(c)
(c) "Motor vehicle" means any motor-driven vehicle required to be registered under
ch. 341 or exempt from registration under
s. 341.05 (2), including a demonstrator or executive vehicle not titled or titled by a manufacturer or a motor vehicle dealer. "Motor vehicle" does not mean a moped, semitrailer or trailer designed for use in combination with a truck or truck tractor.
632.38(1)(d)
(d) "Nonoriginal manufacturer replacement part" means a replacement part that is not made by or for the manufacturer of an insured's motor vehicle.
632.38(1)(e)
(e) "Replacement part" means a replacement for any of the nonmechanical sheet metal or plastic parts that generally constitute the exterior of a motor vehicle, including inner and outer panels.
632.38(2)
(2) Notice of intended use. An insurer or the insurer's representative may not require directly or indirectly the use of a nonoriginal manufacturer replacement part in the repair of an insured's motor vehicle, unless the insurer or the insurer's representative provides to the insured the notice described in this subsection in the manner required in
sub. (3) or
(4). The notice shall be in writing and shall include all of the following information:
632.38(2)(a)
(a) A clear identification of each nonoriginal manufacturer replacement part that is intended for use in the repair of the insured's motor vehicle.
632.38(2)(b)
(b) The following statement in not smaller than 10-point type: "This estimate has been prepared based on the use of one or more replacement parts supplied by a source other than the manufacturer of your motor vehicle. Warranties applicable to these replacement parts are provided by the manufacturer or distributor of the replacement parts rather than by the manufacturer of your motor vehicle."
632.38(3)(a)(a) The notice described in
sub. (2) shall appear on or be attached to the estimate of the cost of repairing the insured's motor vehicle if the estimate is based on the use of one or more nonoriginal manufacturer replacement parts and is prepared by the insurer or the insurer's representative. The insurer or the insurer's representative shall deliver the estimate and notice to the insured before the motor vehicle is repaired.
632.38(3)(b)
(b) If the insurer or the insurer's representative directs the insured to obtain one or more estimates of the cost of repairing the insured's motor vehicle and the estimate approved by the insurer or the insurer's representative clearly identifies one or more nonoriginal manufacturer replacement parts to be used in the repair, the insurer or the insurer's representative shall assure delivery of the notice described in
sub. (2) to the insured before the motor vehicle is repaired.
632.38(3)(c)
(c) The insurer or the insurer's representative may not require the person repairing the motor vehicle to give the notice described in
sub. (2).
632.38(3)(d)
(d) Notwithstanding
par. (b), if an insured authorizes repairs to begin prior to the approval by the insurer or the insurer's representative of an estimate that clearly identifies one or more nonoriginal manufacturer replacement parts to be used in the repair, the insurer or the insurer's representative shall send the written notice described in
sub. (2) by mail to the insured's last-known address no later than 3 working days after the insurer or the insurer's representative receives the estimate.
632.38(4)
(4) Notice by telephone. Notwithstanding
sub. (3), notice of the intention to use nonoriginal manufacturer replacement parts in the repair of the insured's motor vehicle may be given by the insurer or the insurer's representative by telephone. If such notice is given, the insurer or insurer's representative shall send the written notice described in
sub. (2) by mail to the insured's last-known address no later than 3 working days after the telephone contact.
632.38 History
History: 1991 a. 176.
LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITIES
Subch. V of ch. 632 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
Ins 2, Wis. adm. code.
632.41
632.41
Prohibited provisions in life insurance. 632.41(1)(1)
Assessable policies. No insurer may issue assessable life insurance policies under which assessments or calls may be made upon policyholders or others.
632.41(2)
(2) Burial insurance. Except as provided in
s. 632.415, no contract in which the insurer agrees to provide benefits to pay for any of the incidents of burial or other disposition of the body of a deceased may provide that the benefits are payable to a funeral director or any other person doing business related to burials.
632.41 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
Ins 23, Wis. adm. code.
632.41 Annotation
Sub. (2) does not prohibit naming funeral director as beneficiary of life insurance policy in conjunction with separate agreement between insured and funeral director that proceeds will be used for funeral and burial expenses.
71 Atty. Gen. 7.
632.41 AnnotationPurpose of (2) is to prevent monopolistic or unfair trade practices.
76 Atty. Gen. 291.
632.415(1)(1) In this section, "multipremium funeral policy" means a life insurance policy sold under
sub. (2) for which premiums to fund the policy are paid over time.
632.415(2)
(2) A life insurance policy may provide for the assignment of the proceeds of the policy to a funeral director or operator of a funeral establishment if the insurance intermediary who sells or solicits the sale of the policy is not an agent of the funeral director or operator of the funeral establishment or if the assignment of proceeds is contingent on the provision of funeral merchandise or funeral services as provided for in a burial agreement that satisfies the requirements of
s. 445.125 (3m) and rules promulgated by the funeral directors examining board under
s. 445.125 (3m) (j) 1. b.
632.415(3)
(3) A life insurance policy sold under
sub. (2) shall permit the policyholder to designate a different beneficiary, upon written notice to the insurer, and a different funeral director or operator of a funeral establishment that is to receive the assignment of proceeds, after written notice to the current funeral director or operator of the funeral establishment.
632.415(4)(a)(a) An insurer may issue a multipremium funeral policy only if, at the time that the policy is issued, the face amount of the policy is not less than the value of funeral merchandise and services to be provided under a burial agreement under
s. 445.125 (3m).
632.415(4)(b)
(b) The death benefit under a multipremium funeral policy may not be less than the face amount of the policy unless all of the following apply:
632.415(4)(b)1.
1. The policy contains a detailed explanation of the lower death benefit, as well as full disclosure of the lower death benefit on the first page of the policy.
632.415(4)(b)2.
2. The applicant does not apply for, or qualify for, any full face amount multipremium funeral policy that the insurer offers.
632.415(4)(b)3.
3. The death benefit is not less than at least one of the following:
632.415(4)(b)3.a.
a. Twenty-five percent of the face amount of the policy during the first year that the policy is in effect, 50% of the face amount of the policy during the 2nd year that the policy is in effect and the full face amount of the policy after the end of the 2nd year that the policy is in effect, but in no event less than the total of the premiums actually paid.
632.415(4)(b)3.b.
b. During the first 2 years that the policy is in effect, an amount equal to the actual premiums paid plus simple interest at the rate of 3% per year, and, after the end of the 2nd year that the policy is in effect, the full face amount of the policy.
632.415(4)(c)
(c) The period over which premiums may be payable under a multipremium funeral policy may not exceed the following applicable period:
632.415(4)(c)1.
1. Twenty years, if the insured is less 60 years of age when the policy is issued.
632.415(4)(c)2.
2. Ten years, if the insured is at least 60 years of age but less than 80 years of age when the policy is issued.
632.415(4)(c)3.
3. Five years, if the insured is at least 80 years of age when the policy is issued.
632.415(4)(d)
(d) At the time that an applicant applies for coverage under a multipremium funeral policy, the insurance intermediary or other person selling or soliciting the sale of the policy shall disclose the maximum number of premium payments to be made over the life of the policy, the frequency of the premium payments and the amount of each premium payment.
632.415(4m)
(4m) Proof of death for an insurance policy sold under
sub. (2) may be established with an affidavit in the form prescribed under
s. 69.02 (1) (c) if the insurer consents to receipt of the affidavit.
632.415(5)
(5) Subject to
subs. (3) and
(4), the commissioner shall by rule establish minimum standards for claims payments, marketing practices and reporting practices for life insurance policies sold under
sub. (2).
632.415 History
History: 1999 a. 191 ss.
2 to
5;
2003 a. 167.
632.415 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
Ins 23, Wis. adm. code.
632.42
632.42
Trustee and deposit agreements in life insurance. 632.42(1)(1)
Trustee and other agreements. An insurer may hold as a part of its general assets the proceeds of any policy subject to this subchapter under a trust or other agreement upon such terms and restrictions as to revocation by the policyholder and control by the beneficiary and with such exemptions from the claims of creditors of the beneficiary as the insurer and the policyholder agree to in writing. An insurer may also receive funds in such amounts and upon such conditions, including the right of the policyholder to withdraw unused portions thereof, as the insurer and the policyholder agree to in writing:
632.42(1)(a)
(a)
Advance premiums. As premiums in advance upon policies or annuities subject to this subchapter; or
632.42(1)(b)
(b)
New policies. To accumulate for the purchase of future policies or annuities subject to this subchapter.
632.42(2)
(2) Accumulation of funds. Any insurer may, in connection with life insurance or annuity contracts, accept funds remitted to it under an agreement for an accumulation of the funds for the purpose of providing annuities or other benefits, under such reasonable rules as are prescribed by the commissioner.
632.42 History
History: 1975 c. 373,
375,
422.
632.43
632.43
Standard nonforfeiture law for life insurance. 632.43(1)(1) On and after January 1, 1948, no policy of life insurance, except as stated in
sub. (8), shall be issued or delivered in this state unless it shall contain in substance the following provisions, or corresponding provisions which in the opinion of the commissioner are at least as favorable to the defaulting or surrendering policyholder as the minimum requirements under this section and are substantially in compliance with
sub. (7m):
632.43(1)(a)
(a) In the event of default in any premium payment, the company will grant, upon proper request not later than 60 days after the due date of the premium in default, a paid-up nonforfeiture benefit on a plan stipulated in the policy, effective as of the due date, of an amount specified in this section or an actuarially equivalent paid-up nonforfeiture benefit which provides a greater amount or longer period of death benefits or a greater amount or earlier payment of endowment benefits.
632.43(1)(b)
(b) Upon surrender of the policy within 60 days after the due date of any premium payment in default after premiums have been paid for at least 3 full years in the case of ordinary insurance or 5 full years in the case of industrial insurance, the company will pay, in lieu of any paid-up nonforfeiture benefit, a cash surrender value of such amount as may be hereinafter specified.
632.43(1)(c)
(c) A specified paid-up nonforfeiture benefit shall become effective as specified in the policy unless the person entitled to make such election elects another available option not later than 60 days after the due date of the premium in default.
632.43(1)(d)
(d) If the policy shall have become paid up by completion of all premium payments or if it is continued under any paid-up nonforfeiture benefit which became effective on or after the third policy anniversary in the case of ordinary insurance or the fifth policy anniversary in the case of industrial insurance, the company will pay, upon surrender of the policy within 30 days after any policy anniversary, a cash surrender value of such amount as may be hereinafter specified.
