Chapter Ins 3

Ins 3.09(13) (13) Unearned premium reserve. Subject to sub. (8), a mortgage guaranty insurer shall compute and maintain an unearned premium reserve on policies in force as follows:

Ins 3.09(13)(a) (a) For premium plans on which the premium is paid annually, the unearned premium reserve shall be calculated on either an annual or monthly pro rata basis except that the portion of the first-year premium, excluding policy and other fees or similar charges, which exceeds twice the subsequent renewal premium rate, shall be considered a deferred risk premium. The deferred risk premium shall be contributed to and maintained in the unearned premium reserve until released as earned. The deferred risk premium shall be earned in accordance with the factors for a 10-year premium period in par. (b) or any other formula approved by the commissioner.

Ins 3.09(13)(b) (b) For premium plans on which the premium is paid in advance for periods of time greater than one year but less than 16 years, the unearned premium reserve shall be calculated by multiplying the premiums collected by the appropriate unearned premium factor from the table set forth below:

- See PDF for table

Ins 3.09 Note Note: For purposes of this calculation, premiums collected means either 90% of the premiums collected or the premium collected less a dollar amount or percentage amount approved by the commissioner to represent initial expenses of selling and issuing a new policy.

Ins 3.09(13)(c) (c) For premium plans on which the premium is paid in advance for periods of 16 years or more, the unearned premium reserve shall be calculated either by a method approved by the commissioner or by dividing the premium collected, as defined above in par. (b), into 2 parts. The first part shall be the amount which is equal to the premium collected for a 15-year premium and which shall be earned in the same manner as a 15-year premium. The second part is the remaining amount of premium in excess of the 15-year premium, which shall be earned pro rata over the remaining term of the premium.

Ins 3.09(14) (14) Contingency reserve.

Ins 3.09(14)(a) (a) Subject to sub. (8), a mortgage guaranty insurer shall make an annual contribution to the contingency reserve which in the aggregate shall be the greater of:

Ins 3.09(14)(a)1. 1. 50% of the net earned premium reported in the annual statement; or

Ins 3.09(14)(a)2. 2. The sum of:

Ins 3.09(14)(a)2.a. a. The policyholders position established under sub. (5) on residential buildings designed for occupancy by not more than four families divided by 7;

Ins 3.09(14)(a)2.b. b. The policyholders position established under sub. (5) on residential buildings designed for occupancy by 5 or more families divided by 5;

Ins 3.09(14)(a)2.c. c. The policyholders position established under sub. (5) on buildings occupied for industrial or commercial purposes divided by 3; and

Ins 3.09(14)(a)2.d. d. The policyholders position established under sub. (5) for leases divided by 10.

Ins 3.09(14)(b) (b) If the mortgage guaranty coverage is not expressly provided for in this section, the commissioner may establish a rate formula factor that will produce a contingency reserve adequate for the risk assumed.

Ins 3.09(14)(c) (c) The contingency reserve established by this subsection shall be maintained for 120 months. That portion of the contingency reserve established and maintained for more than 120 months shall be released and shall no longer constitute part of the contingency reserve.

Ins 3.09(14)(d) (d)

Ins 3.09(14)(d)1. 1. With the approval of the commissioner, withdrawals may be made from the contingency reserve when incurred losses and incurred loss expenses exceed the greater of either 35% of the net earned premium or 70% of the amount which par. (a) requires to be contributed to the contingency reserve in such year.

Ins 3.09(14)(d)2. 2. On a quarterly basis, provisional withdrawals may be made from the contingency reserve in an amount not to exceed 75% of the withdrawal calculated in accordance with subd. 1.

Ins 3.09(14)(e) (e) With the approval of the commissioner, a mortgage guaranty insurer may withdraw from the contingency reserve any amounts which are in excess of the minimum policyholders position. In reviewing a request for withdrawal pursuant to this paragraph, the commissioner may consider loss development and trends. If any portion of the contingency reserve for which withdrawal is requested pursuant to this paragraph is maintained by a reinsurer, the commissioner may also consider the financial condition of the reinsurer. If any portion of the contingency reserve for which withdrawal is requested pursuant to this paragraph is maintained in a segregated account or segregated trust and such withdrawal would result in funds being removed from the segregated account or segregated trust, the commissioner may also consider the financial condition of the reinsurer.

Ins 3.09(14)(f) (f) Releases and withdrawals from the contingency reserve shall be accounted for on a first-in-first-out basis as provided in sub. (12) (g).

Ins 3.09(14)(g) (g) The calculations to develop the contingency reserve shall be made in the following sequence:

Ins 3.09(14)(g)1. 1. The additions required by pars. (a) and (b);

Ins 3.09(14)(g)2. 2. The releases permitted by par. (c);

Ins 3.09(14)(g)3. 3. The withdrawals permitted by par. (d); and

Ins 3.09(14)(g)4. 4. The withdrawals permitted by par. (e).

Ins 3.09(15) (15) Loss reserves.

Ins 3.09(15)(a) (a) Subject to sub. (8), a mortgage guaranty insurer shall compute and maintain adequate loss reserves. The methodology used for computing the loss reserves shall accurately reflect loss frequency and loss severity and shall include components for claims reported and unpaid and for claims incurred but not reported.

Ins 3.09(15)(b) (b) A mortgage guaranty insurer shall compute and maintain adequate case basis loss reserves which are based on an estimate of the liability for claims on individual insured loans in various stages of default as listed below. Case basis loss reserves may be calculated on either an individual case basis or a formula basis. Case basis loss reserves shall be established for individual insured loans or leases which:

Ins 3.09(15)(b)1. 1. Are in default and have resulted in the collateral real estate being acquired by the insured, the insurer, or the agent of either, and remaining unsold; or

Ins 3.09(15)(b)2. 2. Are in the process of foreclosure; or

Ins 3.09(15)(b)3. 3. Are in default and the insurer has received notification.

Ins 3.09(15)(c) (c) In computing the potential liability for which case basis reserves are required by par. (b), the following factors shall be considered together with the prospective adjustments reflecting historic data relative to prior claim settlements:

Ins 3.09(15)(c)1. 1. Prior to the exercise of the claim settlement option, the potential liability shall be either the amount at risk calculated using the coverage settlement option or the potential claim amount minus the value of the real estate.

Ins 3.09(15)(c)2. 2. If the claim settlement option exercised results in recording the claim amount as the cost of acquisition of the property, the potential liability is the claim amount minus the lesser of the market value of the real estate or the acquisition cost of the real estate.

Ins 3.09(15)(c)3. 3. If the claim settlement option exercised results in the payment of amounts equal to the monthly loan payments or lease rents, the potential liability is the present value, utilizing the insurer’s National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) financial ratio-investment yield, of the claim amounts minus the present value of either the real estate or the rental income stream.

Ins 3.09(15)(d) (d) A mortgage guaranty insurer shall compute and maintain a loss adjustment expense reserve which is based on an estimate of the cost of adjusting and settling claims on insured loans in default.

Ins 3.09(15)(e) (e) A mortgage guaranty insurer shall compute and maintain an incurred but not reported reserve which is based on an estimate of the liability for future claims on insured loans that are in default but of which the insurer has not been notified.

Ins 3.09(16) (16) Charges, commissions and rebates.

Ins 3.09(16)(a) (a) Every mortgage guaranty insurer shall adopt, print and make available a schedule of premium charges for mortgage guaranty insurance coverages. The schedule shall show the entire amount of premium charge for each type of mortgage guaranty insurance coverage issued by the insurer.

Ins 3.09(16)(b) (b) A mortgage guaranty insurer shall not knowingly pay, either directly or indirectly to an owner, purchaser, mortgagee of the real property or any interest therein or to any person who is acting as agent, representative, attorney or employee of such owner, purchaser, or mortgagee any commission, remuneration, dividend or any part of its premium charges or any other consideration as an inducement for or as compensation on any mortgage guaranty insurance business.

Ins 3.09(16)(c) (c) In connection with the placement of any insurance, a mortgage guaranty insurer shall not cause or permit any commission, fee, remuneration, or other compensation to be paid to, or received by: any insured lender; any subsidiary or affiliate of any insured; any officer, director or employee of any insured; any member of their immediate family; any corporation, partnership, trust, trade association in which any insured is a member, or other entity in which any insured or any such officer, director, or employee or any member of their immediate family has a financial interest; or any designee, trustee, nominee, or other agent or representative of any of the foregoing.

Ins 3.09(16)(d) (d) A mortgage guaranty insurer shall not make any rebate of any portion of the premium charge shown by the schedule required by par. (a). A mortgage guaranty insurer shall not quote any premium charge to any person which is different than that currently available to others for the same type of mortgage guaranty insurance coverage sold by the mortgage guaranty insurer. The amount by which any premium charge is less than that called for by the current schedule of premium charge is a rebate.

Ins 3.09(16)(e) (e) A mortgage guaranty insurer shall not use compensating balances, special deposit accounts or engage in any practice which unduly delays its receipt of monies due or which involves the use of its financial resources for the benefit of any owner, mortgagee of the real property or any interest therein or any person who is acting as agent, representative, attorney or employee of such owner, purchaser or mortgagee as a means of circumventing any part of this rule. Except for commercial checking accounts and normal deposits in support of an active bank line of credit, any deposit account bearing interest at rates less than is currently being paid other depositors on similar deposits or any deposit in excess of amounts insured by an agency of the federal government shall be presumed to be an account in violation of this paragraph.

Ins 3.09(16)(f) (f) A mortgage guaranty insurer shall make provision for prompt refund of any unearned premium in the event of termination of the insurance prior to its scheduled termination date. If the borrower paid or was charged for the premium, the refund shall be made to the borrower, or to the insured for the borrower’s benefit, otherwise refund may be paid to the insured.

Ins 3.09(16)(g) (g) This subsection is not intended to prohibit payment of appropriate policy dividends to borrowers.

Ins 3.09(17) (17) Minimum capital or permanent surplus. The minimum amount of capital or permanent surplus of a mortgage guaranty insurer shall be $2 million for an insurer first authorized to do business in Wisconsin on or after January 1, 1982, or the amount required by statute or administrative order before that date or other insurers.

Ins 3.09(18) (18) Transition. Policyholders position, unearned premium reserves and contingency loss reserves shall be computed and maintained on risks insured after the effective date of this section as required by subs. (5), (13) and (14). Unearned premium reserves and contingency loss reserves on risks insured before the effective date of this rule may be computed and maintained either as required by subs. (13) and (14) or as required by this section as previously in effect.

Ins 3.09(19) (19) Conflict of interest.

Ins 3.09(19)(a) (a) Except as described in par. (c), if a member of a holding company system as defined in s. Ins 40.01 (6), a mortgage guaranty insurer licensed to transact insurance in this state shall not, as a condition of its certificate of authority, knowingly underwrite mortgage guaranty insurance on mortgages originated by the holding company system or an affiliate or on mortgages originated by any mortgage lender to which credit is extended, directly or indirectly by the holding company system or affiliate.

Ins 3.09(19)(b) (b) A mortgage guaranty insurer, the holding company system of which it is a part or any affiliate shall not as a condition of the mortgage guaranty insurer’s certificate of authority, pay any commissions, remuneration, rebates or engage in activities proscribed in sub. (15).

Ins 3.09(19)(c) (c)

Ins 3.09(19)(c)1. 1. A mortgage guaranty insurer may underwrite mortgage guaranty insurance on mortgages originated by the holding company system or affiliate or on mortgages originated by any mortgage lender to which credit is extended, directly or indirectly by the holding company system or affiliate only if the insurance is underwritten on the same basis, for the same consideration and subject to the same insurability requirements as insurance provided to nonaffiliated lenders. Mortgage guaranty insurance underwritten on mortgages originated by the holding company system or affiliate or on mortgages originated by any mortgage lender to which credit is extended, directly or indirectly by the holding company system or affiliate shall be limited to 50% of the insurer’s direct premium written in any calendar year, or such higher percentage established in writing for the insurer in the commissioner’s discretion, based on the commissioner’s determination that a higher percentage is not likely to adversely affect the financial condition of the insurer.

Ins 3.09(19)(c)2. 2. A domestic mortgage guaranty insurer that offers coverage under subd. 1., shall annually file by March 1 a certification executed by a senior, responsible officer that the insurer has complied with subd. 1. in the previous calendar year. The commissioner may grant an extension to an insurer if the commissioner determines an extension is not likely to materially impede the office’s monitoring of the insurer’s compliance with this subsection.

Ins 3.09(20) (20) Laws or regulations of other jurisdictions. Whenever the laws or regulations of another jurisdiction in which a mortgage guaranty insurer subject to the requirements of this rule is licensed, require a larger unearned premium reserve or a larger contingency reserve in the aggregate than that set forth in this rule, the establishment and maintenance of the larger unearned premium reserve or contingency reserve shall be deemed to be compliance with this rule.

Ins 3.09(21) (21) This section may be enforced under ss. 601.41, 601.64, 601.65, Stats., or ch. 645, Stats., or any other enforcement provision of chs. 600 to 646, Stats.

Ins 3.09 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1957, No. 15, eff. 4-1-57; am. (2), (3), (4) and (5), Register, January, 1959, No. 37, eff. 2-1-59; am. (4) (c), Register, August, 1959, No. 44, eff. 9-1-59; cr. (4) (e), Register, January, 1961, No. 61, eff. 2-1-61; am. (2), Register, January, 1967, No. 133, eff. 2-1-67; am. (2), (3) (a) and (b), and (4) (a) and (b); r. and recr. (5), Register, December, 1970, No. 180, eff. 1-1-71. r. and recr. Register, March, 1975, No. 231, eff. 4-1-75; emerg. am. (1), (2) and (3) (a), eff. 6-22-76; am. (1), (2) and (3) (a), Register, September, 1976, No. 249, eff. 10-1-76; am. (1), (2) and (3) (a), Register, March, 1979, No. 279, eff. 4-1-79; r. and recr. (1), (3), (5), (12) and (14), am. (2), (4), (8), (13) (a) and (16), renum. (7) to be (7) (a) and cr. (7) (b) and (7m), Register, October, 1982, No. 322, eff. 11-1-82; correction in (14) (d) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, December, 1984, No. 348; am. (3) (m), Register, October, 1985, No. 358, eff. 11-1-85; am. (1) and (5) (a), renum. (7m), (15) to (18) to be (17), (16) and (18) to (20); cr. (7m) and (15), r. and recr. (8), (12) to (14), Register, November, 1989, No. 407, eff. 12-1-89; correction in (7m) (c) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, January, 1999, No. 517; corrections in (3) (b), (j) and (19) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, July, 1999, No. 523; am. (19) (a), cr. (19) (c), Register, July, 2000, No. 535, eff. 8-1-00; CR 05-023: am. (19) (c) and cr. (21) Register December 2005 No. 600, eff. 1-1-06.

Ins 3.11 Ins 3.11 Multiple peril insurance contracts.

Ins 3.11(1) (1) Purpose and scope.

Ins 3.11(1)(a) (a) This rule implements and interprets s. Ins 6.70 and chs. 625 and 631, Stats., by enumerating the minimum requirements for the writing of multiple peril insurance contracts. Nothing herein contained is intended to prohibit insurers or groups of insurers from justifying rates or premiums in the manner provided for by the rating laws.

Ins 3.11(1)(b) (b) This rule shall apply to multiple peril insurance contracts permitted by s. Ins 6.70, and which include a type or types of coverage or a kind or kinds of insurance subject to ch. 625, Stats.

Ins 3.11(1)(c) (c) Types of coverage or kinds of insurance which are not subject to ch. 625, Stats., or to the filing requirement provisions thereof, may not be included in multiple peril insurance contracts otherwise subject to said sections unless such entire multiple peril insurance contract is filed as being subject to this rule and said sections and the filing requirements thereof.

Ins 3.11(2) (2) Definition. Multiple peril insurance contracts are contracts combining 2 or more types of coverage or kinds of insurance included in any one or more than one paragraph of s. Ins 6.75. Such contracts may be on the divisible or single (indivisible) rate or premium basis.

Ins 3.11(3) (3) Rate making.

Ins 3.11(3)(a) (a) When underwriting experience is not available to support a filing, the information set forth in s. 625.12, Stats., may be furnished as supporting information.

Ins 3.11(3)(b) (b) Premiums or rates may be modified for demonstrated, measurable, or anticipated variation from normal of the loss or expense experience resulting from the combination or types of coverage or kinds of insurance or other factors of the multiple peril insurance contract. Multiple peril contracts may be filed or revised on the basis of sufficient underwriting experience developed by the contract or such experience may be used in support of such filing.

Ins 3.11(3)(c) (c) In the event that more than one rating organization cooperates in a single (indivisible) rate or premium multiple peril insurance filing, one of such cooperating rating organizations shall be designated as the sponsoring organization for such filing by each of the other cooperating rating organizations and evidence of such designation included with the filing.

Ins 3.11(4) (4) Standard policy. The requirements of s. Ins 6.76 shall apply to any multiple peril insurance contract which includes insurance against loss or damage by fire.

Ins 3.11 History History: Cr. Register, July, 1958, No. 31, eff. 8-1-58; am. (3) (a), Register, November, 1960, No. 59, eff. 12-1-60; emerg. am. (1), (2), (3) (a) and (4), eff. 6-22-76; am. (1), (2), (3) (a) and (4), Register, September, 1976, No. 249, eff. 10-1-76; am. (1) (a) and (b), (2) and (4), Register, March, 1979, No. 279, eff. 4-1-79.

Ins 3.13 Ins 3.13 Individual accident and sickness insurance.

Ins 3.13(1) (1) Purpose. This section implements and interprets applicable statutes for the purpose of establishing procedures and requirements to expedite the review and approval of individual accident and sickness policies permitted by s. Ins 6.75 (1) (c) or (2) (c), and franchise type accident and sickness policies permitted by s. 600.03 (22), Stats., and s. Ins 6.75 (1) (c) and (2) (c). The requirements in subs. (2), (3), (4) and (6) are to be followed in substance, and wording other than that described may be used provided it is not less favorable to the insured or beneficiary.

Ins 3.13(2) (2) Policy provisions.

Ins 3.13(2)(a) (a) If a policy is not to insure against sickness losses resulting from conditions in existence prior to the effective date of coverage, or in existence prior to a specified period after such effective date, the policy by its terms shall indicate that it covers sickness contracted and commencing (or beginning, or originating, or first manifested or words of similar import) after such effective date or after such specified period. Wording shall not be used that requires the cause of the condition or sickness, as distinguished from the condition or sickness itself, to originate after such effective date or such specified period.

Ins 3.13 Note Note: It is understood that “sickness” as used herein means the condition or disease from which the disability or loss results. Paragraph (a) shall not apply to nor prohibit the exclusion from coverage of a disease or physical condition by name or specific description.

Ins 3.13(2)(b) (b) Where any “specified period” referred to in par. (a) exceeds 30 days, it shall apply to the occurrence of loss and not to the contracting or commencement of sickness after such period.

Ins 3.13(2)(c) (c) A policy, other than a non-cancellable policy or a non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policy or a guaranteed renewable policy, shall set forth the conditions under which the policy may be renewed, either by: A brief description of the policy’s renewal conditions, or a separate statement referring to the policy’s renewal conditions, or a separate appropriately captioned renewal provision appearing on or commencing on the first page.

Ins 3.13(2)(c)1. 1. The brief description, if used to meet the foregoing requirement, shall be printed, in type more prominent than that used in the policy’s text, at the top or bottom of the policy’s first page and on its filing back, if any, and shall describe its renewal conditions in one of the following ways: “Renewal Subject to Consent of Company,” “Renewal Subject to Company Consent,” “Renewal at Option of Company,” “Renewal at Option of Company as Stated in _________” (refer to appropriate policy provision), or “Renewal May be Refused as Stated in _________” (refer to appropriate policy provision). A company may submit other wording, subject to approval by the commissioner, which it believes is equally clear or more definite as to subject matter.

Ins 3.13(2)(c)2. 2. The separate statement, if used to meet the foregoing requirement, shall be printed, in type more prominent than that used in the policy’s text, at the top or bottom of the policy’s first page and on its filing back, if any, and shall describe its renewal conditions in one of the following ways: “Renewal Subject to Consent of Company,” “Renewal Subject to Company Consent,” “Renewal at Option of Company,” “Renewal at Option of Company as Stated in _________” (refer to appropriate policy provision), or “Renewal May be Refused as Stated in _________” (refer to appropriate policy provision). A company may submit other wording, subject to approval by the commissioner, which it believes is equally clear or more definite as to subject matter.

Ins 3.13(2)(c)3. 3. The renewal provision appearing on or commencing on the policy’s first page, if used to meet the foregoing requirement, shall be preceded by a caption which describes the policy’s renewal conditions in one of the following ways: “Renewal Subject to Consent of Company,” “Renewal Subject to Company Consent,” “Renewal at Option of Company,” “Renewal at Option of Company as Stated Below,” or “Renewal May be Refused as Stated Herein.” A company may submit other wording, subject to approval by the commissioner, which it believes is equally clear or more definite as to subject matter. The caption shall be in type more prominent than that used in the policy’s text.

Ins 3.13(2)(d) (d) If the policy is not renewable, it shall be so described in the brief description or in a separate statement at the top or bottom of the first page and on the filing back, if any, or it shall be so described in a separate appropriately captioned provision on the first page. The brief description, or the separate statement, or the caption shall be printed in type more prominent than that used in the policy’s text.

Ins 3.13(2)(e) (e)

Ins 3.13(2)(e)1. 1. The terms “non-cancellable” or “non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable” may be used only in a policy which the insured has the right to continue in force by the timely payment of premiums set forth in the policy:

Ins 3.13(2)(e)1.a. a. Until at least age 50, or

Ins 3.13(2)(e)1.b. b. In the case of a policy issued after age 44, for at least 5 years from its date of issue, during which period the insurer has no right to make unilaterally any change in any provision of the policy while the policy is in force.

Ins 3.13(2)(e)2. 2. A non-cancellable or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable policy form shall disclose, as prominently as and in close conjunction with any prominent use of the terms “non-cancellable” or “non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable:”

Ins 3.13(2)(e)2.a. a. The age to or term for which the form is non-cancellable or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable, if other than lifetime,

Ins 3.13(2)(e)2.b. b. The age or time at which the form’s benefits are reduced, if applicable, (The age or time at which a form’s benefits are reduced need not be so disclosed if such reduction is not effected prior to the age to or term for which the form is non-cancellable or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable or if regular benefits are payable at least to the age to or term for which the form is non-cancellable or non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable.) and

Ins 3.13(2)(e)2.c. c. That benefit payments are subject to an aggregate limit, if applicable.

Ins 3.13(2)(e)3. 3. Except as provided above, the term “guaranteed renewable” may be used only in a policy which the insured has the right to continue in force by the timely payment of premiums: