Chapter Ins 3

Ins 3.20(5)(c) (c) Single interest coverage may be issued only when double interest coverage is not obtainable. The applicant must be given the opportunity to procure insurance, and if he or she can procure same within 25 days there shall be no charge for the single interest coverage.

Ins 3.20(6) (6) Policy forms. The purchaser must be furnished with a complete policy form clearly setting forth the nature and extent of all coverages and premiums charged therefor.

Ins 3.20(7) (7) Rating statement. No policy written on the basis of a sub-standard risk rate schedule shall be issued unless it contains a statement printed in bold-faced type, preferably in a contrasting color, reading substantially as follows: This policy has been rated in accordance with a special rating schedule filed with the commissioner of insurance providing for higher premium charges than those generally applicable for average risks. If the coverage or premium is not satisfactory, you may secure your own insurance.

Ins 3.20 History History: Cr. Register, March, 1960, No. 51, eff. 4-1-60; emerg. am. (1), eff. 6-22-76; am. (1), Register, September, 1976, No. 249, eff. 10-1-76; correction in (1) and (5) (c) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 5. and 7., Stats., Register, April, 1992, No. 436.

Ins 3.23 Ins 3.23 Franchise accident and sickness insurance.

Ins 3.23(1) (1) Franchise group headquarters. A franchise group described in s. 600.03 (22), Stats., need not have its headquarters or other executive offices domiciled in Wisconsin.

Ins 3.23(2) (2) Accounting. All premiums paid in connection with franchise accident and sickness insurance on Wisconsin residents shall be reported for annual statement purposes as Wisconsin business and shall be subject to the applicable Wisconsin premium tax.

Ins 3.23 History History: Cr. Register, May, 1964, No. 101, eff. 6-1-64; emerg. am. (1) eff. 6-22-76; am. (1), Register, September, 1976, No. 249, eff. 10-1-76; correction in (1) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, April, 1992, No. 436.

Ins 3.25 Ins 3.25 Credit life insurance and credit accident and sickness insurance.

Ins 3.25(1) (1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to assist in the maintenance of a fair and equitable credit insurance market and to ensure that policyholders, claimants and insurers are treated fairly and equitably by providing a system of rate, policy form and operating standards for the transaction of credit life insurance and credit accident and sickness insurance. This section interprets and implements ss. 601.01, 601.415 (9), 601.42, 623.06, 625.11, 625.12, 625.34, 631.20, 632.44 (3) and 632.60, Stats., and chs. 421, 422 and 424, Stats.

Ins 3.25(2) (2) Scope.

Ins 3.25(2)(a) (a) This section shall apply to the transaction of credit life insurance as defined in s. Ins 6.75 (1) (a) 1. and s. 632.44, Stats., and subject to ch. 424, Stats., and to the transaction of credit accident and sickness insurance as defined in s. Ins 6.75 (1) (c) 1. and (2) (c) 1. and subject to ch. 424, Stats.

Ins 3.25(2)(b) (b) This rule shall be the basis for review of all policy forms, certificates of insurance, notices of proposed insurance, applications for insurance, endorsements and riders and the schedules of premium rates to be used in Wisconsin on or after the effective date of the rule for credit life and credit accident and sickness insurance.

Ins 3.25(3) (3) Definitions. In this section:

Ins 3.25(3)(a) (a) “Case” means, for credit life insurance, all the credit life insurance of a creditor and, for credit accident and sickness insurance, all of each category of credit accident and sickness insurance of a creditor, as specified in Appendix B, unless some reasonable combination of these categories is approved by the commissioner.

Ins 3.25(3)(b) (b) “Case rate” means the maximum premium rate or schedule of premium rates permitted to be charged with respect to the coverage of a creditor. Unless a higher premium rate or schedule of premium rates is approved by the commissioner, the case rate is the prima facie premium rate or schedule of premium rates.

Ins 3.25(3)(c) (c) “Creditor” has the meaning set forth in s. 421.301 (16), Stats.

Ins 3.25(3)(d) (d) “Experience period” means a time period of consecutive calendar years ending with the most recent full calendar year prior to the date of determination of a case rate based on such experience period. The number of years shall be not less than one nor more than three; provided, however, that if the number of years is less than three, the life years exposure in the experience period shall be not less than ten thousand for life insurance and not less than one thousand for accident and sickness insurance.

Ins 3.25(3)(e) (e) “Incurred claims” means claims paid during the experience period plus claim reserve at the end of the experience period minus claim reserve at the beginning of the experience period.

Ins 3.25(3)(f) (f) “Life years exposure” means the average number of group certificates or individual policies in force during an experience period, without regard to multiple coverage, times the number of years in the experience period.

Ins 3.25(3)(g) (g) “Prima facie earned premium” means the premium which would have been earned during the experience period if the prima facie premium rate in effect at the end of the experience period had always been charged. The method of calculation shall be that specified in sub. (13).

Ins 3.25(3)(h) (h) “Prima facie loss ratio” means incurred claims divided by prima facie earned premium.

Ins 3.25(4) (4) Types of credit life insurance or credit accident and sickness insurance. No credit life insurance or credit accident and sickness insurance policies shall be issued except:

Ins 3.25(4)(a) (a) Individual policies of life insurance issued to debtors on a nonrenewable, nonconvertible term plan;

Ins 3.25(4)(b) (b) Individual policies of accident and sickness insurance issued to debtors on a term plan or disability benefit provisions in individual policies of credit life insurance;

Ins 3.25(4)(c) (c) Group policies of life insurance issued to creditors providing insurance upon the lives of debtors on a term plan;

Ins 3.25(4)(d) (d) Group policies of accident and sickness insurance issued to creditors on a term plan insuring debtors or disability benefit provisions in group credit life insurance policies.

Ins 3.25(5) (5) Amount of credit life and credit accident and sickness insurance. The amount of credit life insurance and credit accident and sickness insurance shall not exceed the amounts specified in s. 424.208, Stats.

Ins 3.25(6) (6) Term of credit life insurance and credit accident and sickness insurance.

Ins 3.25(6)(a) (a) The term of any credit life insurance or credit accident and sickness insurance shall, subject to acceptance by the insurer, commence on the date when the debtor becomes obligated to the creditor, except that, where a group policy provides coverage with respect to existing obligations, the insurance on a debtor with respect to such indebtedness shall commence on the effective date of the policy.

Ins 3.25(6)(b) (b) Where evidence of insurability is required and such evidence is furnished more than 30 days after the date when the debtor becomes obligated to the creditor, the term of the insurance may commence on the date on which the insurance company determines the evidence to be satisfactory, and in such event there shall be an appropriate refund or adjustment of any charge to the debtor for insurance. The term of this insurance shall not extend more than 15 days beyond the scheduled maturity date of indebtedness unless it is extended without additional cost to the debtor or as an incident to a deferral, refinancing or consolidation agreement.

Ins 3.25(6)(c) (c) If the indebtedness is discharged due to renewal or refinancing prior to the scheduled maturity date, the insurance in force shall be terminated before any new insurance is issued in connection with the renewed or refinanced indebtedness. In any renewal or refinancing of the indebtedness, the effective date of the coverage of any policy provision shall be deemed to be the first date on which the debtor became insured under the policy covering the indebtedness which was renewed or refinanced. However, this does not apply to an amount or term of indebtedness, exclusive of refinancing charges, in excess of the original indebtedness outstanding at the time of refinancing.

Ins 3.25(6)(d) (d) In all cases of termination prior to scheduled maturity, a refund shall be paid or credited as provided in sub. (9).

Ins 3.25(7) (7) Provisions of policies and certificates of insurance; disclosure to debtors.

Ins 3.25(7)(a) (a) All credit life insurance and credit accident and sickness insurance shall be evidenced by an individual policy, or in the case of group insurance, by a certificate of insurance. The individual policy or group certificate of insurance shall be delivered to the debtor.

Ins 3.25(7)(b) (b) Each individual policy or group certificate of credit life insurance or credit accident and sickness insurance shall, in addition to other requirements of the law, set forth:

Ins 3.25(7)(b)1. 1. The name and home office address of the insurer;

Ins 3.25(7)(b)2. 2. The name or names of the debtor or, in the case of a certificate under a group policy, the identity of the debtor;

Ins 3.25(7)(b)3. 3. The premium or charge, if any, to be paid by the debtor. Premiums for credit life insurance and for credit accident and sickness insurance shall be shown separately;

Ins 3.25(7)(b)4. 4. A description of the coverage including the amount and term of coverage, and any exceptions, limitations and restrictions;

Ins 3.25(7)(b)5. 5. A provision that the benefits shall be paid to the creditor to reduce or extinguish the unpaid indebtedness and that whenever the amount of insurance exceeds the unpaid indebtedness, any excess shall be payable to a beneficiary, other than the creditor named by the debtor, or to the debtor’s estate, and

Ins 3.25(7)(b)6. 6. A provision that the insurance on any debtor will be cancelled and a refund made if the indebtedness is terminated through prepayment or otherwise, in accordance with sub. (9).

Ins 3.25(7)(c) (c) The individual policy or group certificate of insurance shall be delivered to the insured debtor at the time the indebtedness is incurred except as provided in par. (d);

Ins 3.25(7)(d) (d) If the individual policy or group certificate of insurance is not delivered to the debtor at the time the indebtedness is incurred, a copy of the application for the policy or a notice of proposed insurance shall:

Ins 3.25(7)(d)1. 1. Be delivered to the debtor at the time the indebtedness is incurred;

Ins 3.25(7)(d)2. 2. Be signed by the debtor;

Ins 3.25(7)(d)3. 3. Set forth the name and home office address of the insurer;

Ins 3.25(7)(d)4. 4. Set forth the name or names of the debtor;

Ins 3.25(7)(d)5. 5. Set forth the premium or amount of payment by the debtor, if any, separately for credit life insurance and credit accident and sickness insurance; and

Ins 3.25(7)(d)6. 6. Set forth the amount, term and a brief description of the coverage provided including all exclusions and exceptions.

Ins 3.25(7)(e) (e) The copy of the application or notice of proposed insurance shall also refer exclusively to insurance coverage, and the copy or notice shall be separate and apart from the loan, sale or other credit statement of account, instrument or agreement, unless the information required by par. (d) is prominently set forth in the loan, sale or other credit statement of account, instrument or agreement. Upon acceptance of the insurance by the insurer and within 30 days of the date upon which the indebtedness is incurred, the insurer shall cause the individual policy or group certificate of insurance to be delivered to the debtor. The application or notice of proposed insurance shall state that upon acceptance by the insurer, the insurance shall become effective as provided in sub. (6).

Ins 3.25(7)(f) (f) If the named insurer does not accept the risk, the debtor shall receive a policy or certificate of insurance from the substituted insurer, if any, including the information required by par. (b). If the amount of premium is less than that set forth in the notice of proposed insurance an appropriate refund shall be made.

Ins 3.25(7)(g) (g) If a contract of insurance provides for a limitation in the amount of coverage related to insurance provided by other contracts in force on the debtor, such limitation shall be explained to the debtor at the time the indebtedness is incurred and shall be acknowledged in writing by the debtor in an instrument separate from the individual policy or group certificate. Alternatively, the individual policy or group certificate shall include a brief description or separate statement referring to the limitation in the amount of coverage. The brief description or separate statement, shall be printed on the first page of the individual policy or group certificate in type more prominent than that used in the text of the policy or certificate and shall indicate the limitation clearly.

Ins 3.25(7)(h) (h) If a contract of insurance provides for a limitation of coverage related to the age of the debtor, such limitation shall be explained to the debtor at the time the indebtedness is incurred and shall be acknowledged in writing in an instrument separate from the individual policy or group certificate. Alternatively, the individual policy or group certificate shall include a brief description or separate statement referring to the age limitation. The brief description or separate statement, shall be printed on the first page of the individual policy or group certificate in type more prominent than that used in the text of the policy or certificate and shall indicate the limitation clearly.

Ins 3.25(7)(i) (i) Conspicuous notice of the debtor’s right to return the policy, certificate of insurance or notice of proposed insurance within 10 days of incurring the indebtedness and to receive a refund of any premium paid if the debtor is not satisfied with the insurance for any reason, as required by s. 424.203 (4), Stats., shall be given with the policy, certificate or notice of proposed insurance.

Ins 3.25(7)(j) (j) Charges or premiums for credit life insurance or credit accident and sickness insurance may only be collected from debtors if the disclosure and authorization requirements of s. 422.202 (2s), Stats., are met. If 2 debtors are to be insured for credit life insurance each must receive the disclosure information and each one must request credit life insurance coverage. However, the individual policy or group certificate may be delivered to only one debtor.

Ins 3.25(8) (8) Filing of policy forms.

Ins 3.25(8)(a) (a) All policy forms, certificates of insurance, notices of proposed insurance, applications for insurance, endorsements and riders to be delivered or issued for delivery in this state and the schedules of premium rates pertaining to them shall be filed with the commissioner. In the case of credit transactions covered under a group policy issued in another state or jurisdiction, the insurer shall file for approval only the group certificate, notice of proposed insurance and the premium rates to be used in this state.

Ins 3.25(8)(b) (b) The commissioner shall, within 30 days after the filing of any policy, certificate of insurance, notice of proposed insurance, application for insurance, endorsement or rider, disapprove any form if the benefits provided in the form are not reasonable in relation to the premium charged, or if the form contains provisions which are unjust, unfair, inequitable, misleading, deceptive or which encourage misrepresentation of the coverage or are contrary to any law or administrative rule.

Ins 3.25(8)(c) (c) If the commissioner notifies the insurer that the form is disapproved, the insurer shall not issue or use the form. The notice shall specify the reason for the disapproval and state that a hearing will be granted not less than 10 nor more than 30 days after a request in writing by the insurer.

Ins 3.25(8)(cm) (cm) No policy, certificate of insurance, notice of proposed insurance, nor any application, endorsement or rider, shall be issued or used until 30 days after it has been filed, unless the commissioner gives prior written approval.

Ins 3.25(8)(d) (d) The commissioner may, at any time after a hearing held not less than 20 days after written notice to the insurer, withdraw approval of any form on any ground set forth in par. (b). The written notice of the hearing shall state the reason for the proposed withdrawal of approval. The insurer shall not issue or use any form after the effective date of the withdrawal of the approval.

Ins 3.25(9) (9) Premiums and refunds.

Ins 3.25(9)(a) (a) Any insurer may revise its schedules of premium rates from time to time, and shall file such revised schedules with the commissioner. No insurer shall issue any credit life insurance policy or credit accident and sickness insurance policy if the premium rate exceeds that established by the filed rate schedules of the insurer.

Ins 3.25(9)(b) (b) The amount charged to a debtor for any credit life or credit accident and sickness insurance shall not exceed the premiums charged by the insurer, as computed at the time the charge to the debtor is determined.

Ins 3.25(9)(c) (c) If a creditor requires a debtor to make any payment for credit life insurance or credit accident and sickness insurance and an individual policy or group certificate of insurance is not issued, the creditor shall immediately give written notice to the debtor that coverage will not be issued and shall promptly make an appropriate credit to the account of the debtor.

Ins 3.25(9)(d) (d) A creditor may not remit and an insurer may not collect on a monthly outstanding balance basis if the insurance charge or premium is included as part of the outstanding indebtedness. If the creditor adds identifiable insurance charges or premiums for credit insurance to the total amount of indebtedness and a direct or indirect finance, carrying, credit or service charge is made to the debtor in connection with the insurance charge, the creditor shall remit and the insurer shall collect on a single premium basis only.

Ins 3.25(9)(e) (e) Dividends on participating individual policies of credit insurance shall be payable to the individual insureds. Payment of these dividends may be deferred until the policy is terminated.

Ins 3.25(9)(f) (f) Each individual policy or group certificate shall provide that in the event of termination of the insurance prior to the scheduled maturity date of the indebtedness any refund of an amount paid by the debtor for insurance shall be paid or credited promptly to the person entitled to the refund. The policy certificate may prescribe a minimum refund of $1 and no refund of a lesser amount need be made. The sum of the refunds due on all credit life insurance or credit accident and sickness insurance being terminated in connection with the indebtedness and all other credits due to the customer under chs. 421 to 427, Stats., shall be used to determine if a refund is due.

Ins 3.25(9)(g) (g) Schedules for computing refunds in the event of cancellation of credit life or credit accident and sickness insurance prior to the scheduled maturity date of coverage shall meet the following minimum requirements:

Ins 3.25(9)(g)1. 1. For the following coverages paid for on a single premium or single charge basis, the refund shall be equal to or greater than the unearned gross premium or charge amount computed by the “sum of the digits” methods, commonly referred to as the “Rule of 78:”

Ins 3.25(9)(g)1.a. a. Credit life insurance that decreases by a uniform amount each month until the amount becomes zero;

Ins 3.25(9)(g)1.b. b. Credit life insurance providing coverage for the full term of an indebtedness that is repayable in substantially equal installments with coverage amounts that equal or approximate the actual or net scheduled amount necessary to liquidate the indebtedness; and

Ins 3.25(9)(g)1.c. c. Credit accident and sickness insurance with substantially equal monthly benefit amounts and with insurance coverage and maximum benefit periods that are coterminous.

Ins 3.25(9)(g)2. 2. For credit life insurance or credit accident and sickness insurance paid for on a monthly outstanding balance basis, the refund shall be equal to or greater than the pro rata unearned gross premium or charge.

Ins 3.25(9)(g)3. 3. For all coverages not described in subds. 1. and 2., the refund shall be equal to or greater than that based on the actuarial method, which is the prepaid premium or charge for scheduled benefits subsequent to the actual date of coverage termination computed at the schedule of premium rates or charges applicable to the coverage when it was effected.

Ins 3.25 Note Note: Examples of these coverages include truncated credit life insurance and floating critical period credit disability insurance.

Ins 3.25(9)(g)4. 4. Refunds shall be based on the number of full months prepaid from the actual date of coverage termination to the scheduled maturity date of coverage, counting a fractional month of 16 days or more as a full month.

Ins 3.25(9)(g)5. 5. Upon termination of indebtedness repayable in a single sum prior to scheduled maturity date, the refund shall be computed from the date of termination to the maturity date. If less than 16 days of a loan month has been earned, no charge may be made for that loan month, but if 16 days or more has been earned, a full month may be charged.

Ins 3.25(9)(h) (h) If an insured’s indebtedness is transferred to another creditor, any group credit life insurance or group credit accident and sickness insurance issued on that indebtedness may be continued, but the creditor policyholder shall advise the insurer of each transfer within 30 days of its effective date.

Ins 3.25(9)(i) (i) Voluntary prepayment of indebtedness. If a debtor prepays the indebtedness other than as a result of death or through a lump sum disability payment:

Ins 3.25(9)(i)1. 1. Any credit life insurance covering this indebtedness shall be terminated and an appropriate refund of the credit life insurance premium shall be paid to the debtor; and

Ins 3.25(9)(i)2. 2. Any credit accident and sickness insurance covering this indebtedness shall be terminated and an appropriate refund of the credit accident and sickness insurance premium shall be paid to the debtor. If a claim under such coverage is in progress at the time of prepayment, the amount of refund may be determined as if the prepayment did not occur until the payment of benefits terminates. No refund need be paid during any period of disability for which credit accident and sickness benefits are payable. A refund shall be computed as if prepayment occurred at the end of the disability period.

Ins 3.25(9)(j) (j) Involuntary prepayment of indebtedness. If an indebtedness is prepaid by the proceeds of a credit life insurance policy covering the debtor or by a lump sum payment of a disability claim under a credit insurance policy covering the debtor, then it shall be the responsibility of the insurer to see that the following are paid to the insured debtor, if living, or the beneficiary, other than the creditor named by the debtor, or to the debtor’s estate:

Ins 3.25(9)(j)1. 1. In the case of prepayment by the proceeds of a credit life insurance policy, or by the proceeds of a lump sum total and permanent disability benefit under credit life coverage, an appropriate refund of the credit accident and sickness insurance premium;

Ins 3.25(9)(j)2. 2. In the case of prepayment by a lump sum disability payment under credit accident and sickness coverage, an appropriate refund of the credit life insurance premium;

Ins 3.25(9)(j)3. 3. In either case, the amount of the benefits in excess of the amount required to repay the indebtedness after crediting any unearned interest or finance charges.

Ins 3.25(10) (10) Claims and examination procedures.

Ins 3.25(10)(a) (a) All claims shall be reported to the insurer or its designated claim representative promptly, and the insurer shall maintain adequate claim files. All claims shall be settled as soon as possible and in accordance with the terms of the insurance contract.