Chapter 616

616.56(4) (4) Service contracts insured under a reimbursement insurance policy pursuant to s. 616.54 (6) shall contain a statement in substantially the following form: “Obligations of the provider under this service contract are insured under a service contract reimbursement insurance policy.” The service contract shall state the name and address of the insurer; state that if a provider does not provide, or reimburse or pay for, a service that is covered under a service contract within 60 days after a contract holder provides proof of loss, or if the provider becomes insolvent or otherwise financially impaired, the contract holder may file a claim directly with the service contract reimbursement insurer for reimbursement, payment, or provision of the service; and state the instructions on how to file a claim.

616.56(5) (5) Service contracts not insured under a reimbursement insurance policy pursuant to s. 616.54 (6) shall contain a statement in substantially the following form: “Obligations of the provider under this service contract are backed by the full faith and credit of the provider.”

616.56(6) (6) Service contracts shall state the name and address of the provider, and shall identify any administrator that is different from the provider, the service contract seller, and the service contract holder, if the name of the service contract holder has been furnished by the service contract holder. The identities of such parties are not required to be preprinted on the service contract and may be added to the service contract at the time of sale.

616.56(7) (7) Service contracts shall state the total purchase price and the terms under which the service contract is sold. The purchase price is not required to be preprinted on the service contract and may be negotiated at the time of sale with the service contract holder.

616.56(8) (8) Service contracts shall identify any applicable deductible amount.

616.56(9) (9) Service contracts shall specify the merchandise and services to be provided and any limitations, exceptions, or exclusions.

616.56(10) (10) Service contracts covering motor vehicles shall state whether the use of nonoriginal manufacturers’ parts is allowed.

616.56(11) (11) Service contracts shall state any applicable restrictions governing the transferability of the service contract.

616.56(12) (12) Service contracts shall state the terms, restrictions, or conditions governing cancellation of the service contract by the provider prior to the termination or expiration date of the service contract. A service contract may be cancelled by a provider only for nonpayment of the provider fee, material misrepresentation by the contract holder to the provider or administrator, or substantial breach of duties by the service contract holder relating to the covered product or its use. A provider shall comply with all of the following when cancelling a service contract:

616.56(12)(a) (a) The provider shall mail a written notice to the service contract holder at the last-known address of the service contract holder contained in the records of the provider at least 5 days prior to cancellation by the provider.

616.56(12)(b) (b) The notice under par. (a) shall state the effective date of the cancellation and the reason for the cancellation.

616.56(12)(c) (c) If a service contract is cancelled by the provider for a reason other than nonpayment of the provider fee, the provider shall refund to the service contract holder 100 percent of the unearned pro rata provider fee, less any claims paid.

616.56(12)(d) (d) A provider may charge a reasonable administrative fee for cancellation, which may not exceed 10 percent of the provider fee.

616.56(13) (13) Service contracts shall set forth all of the obligations and duties of the service contract holder, including the duty to protect against any further damage and any requirement to follow the owner’s manual.

616.56(14) (14) Service contracts shall state whether or not the service contract provides for or excludes consequential damages or preexisting conditions. Service contracts may, but are not required to, cover damage resulting from rust, corrosion, or damage caused by a noncovered part or system.

616.56(15) (15) Service contracts shall require the provider to permit the service contract holder to return the service contract within 20 days of the date the service contract was mailed to the service contract holder, or within 10 days of delivery if the service contract is delivered to the service contract holder at the time of sale, or within a longer period permitted under the service contract. Upon return of the service contract to the provider within the applicable period, if no claim has been made under the service contract prior to its return to the provider, the service contract is void and the provider shall refund to the service contract holder, or credit the account of the service contract holder, the full purchase price of the service contract. Unless otherwise stated in a service contract, the right to void a service contract under this paragraph is not transferable and shall apply only to the original service contract purchaser. If a provider does not pay or credit a refund within 45 days after the return of a service contract to the provider, the provider shall pay a 10 percent per month penalty of the refund amount outstanding which the provider shall add to amount of the refund.

616.56(16) (16) Service contracts shall provide that, subsequent to the period specified in sub. (15) for voiding a service contract or if a claim has been made under a service contract within such period, a service contract holder may cancel the service contract and the provider shall refund to the service contract holder 100 percent of the unearned pro rata provider fee, less any claims paid. A provider may charge a reasonable administrative fee for the cancellation, which may not exceed 10 percent of the provider fee.

616.56(17) (17) A service contract shall be subject to s. 631.85.

616.56(18) (18) In the event of a total loss of property covered by a service contract that is not covered by a replacement of the property pursuant to the terms of the contract, a service contract holder shall be entitled to cancel the service contract and receive a pro rata refund of any unearned provider fee, less any claims paid.

616.56 History History: 2011 a. 226; 2013 a. 165 s. 115.

616.58 616.58 Prohibited acts.

616.58(1) (1) 

616.58(1)(a) (a) A provider shall not use in its name used in this state the words “insurance,” “casualty,” “surety,” or “mutual” or any other words descriptive of the insurance, casualty, or surety business; or a name deceptively similar to the name or description of any insurance or surety corporation, or to the name of any other provider. The word “guaranty” or a similar word may be used by a provider.

616.58(1)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a provider that was using any language prohibited under par. (a) in its name used in this state prior to April 20, 2012.

616.58(2) (2) 

616.58(2)(a) (a) No provider, administrator, service contract seller, or provider’s representative may make or cause to be made any communication relating to a service contract, the service contract business, insurance business, any insurer, any administrator, or any provider that contains false or misleading information, including information that is misleading due to incompleteness. Filing a report and, with intent to deceive a person examining it, making a false entry in a record or intentionally refraining from making a proper entry, are “communications” within the meaning of this paragraph. No provider or administrator may use any business name, slogan, emblem, or related device that is misleading or likely to cause the provider or administrator to be mistaken for another provider or administrator already in business.

616.58(2)(b) (b) If an administrator or representative of a provider distributes cards or documents, exhibits a sign, or publishes an advertisement that violates par. (a), having reference to a particular provider that the administrator or representative represents, such violation creates a rebuttable presumption that the violation was also committed by the provider.

616.58(3) (3) A person, including a bank, savings and loan association, lending institution, manufacturer, or seller of any product, shall not require the purchase of a service contract as a condition of a loan or a condition for the sale of any property, except that a person buying or selling a home may condition the purchase or sale of the home on the seller’s or buyer’s procurement of a service contract that covers the home.

616.58(4) (4) A motor vehicle service contract provider or its representative shall not, directly or indirectly, represent in any manner, whether by written solicitation or telemarketing, a false, deceptive, or misleading statement with respect to any of the following:

616.58(4)(a) (a) The provider’s affiliation with a motor vehicle manufacturer.

616.58(4)(b) (b) The provider’s possession of information regarding a motor vehicle owner’s current motor vehicle manufacturer’s original equipment warranty.

616.58(4)(c) (c) The expiration of a motor vehicle owner’s current motor vehicle manufacturer’s original equipment warranty.

616.58(4)(d) (d) A requirement that a motor vehicle owner purchase a new motor vehicle service contract with the provider in order to maintain coverage under the motor vehicle owner’s current motor vehicle service contract or manufacturer’s original equipment warranty.

616.58 History History: 2011 a. 226.

616.60 616.60 Record-keeping requirements.

616.60(1) (1) 

616.60(1)(a) (a) A provider shall keep accurate accounts, books, and records concerning transactions regulated under this subchapter.

616.60(1)(b) (b) A provider’s accounts, books, and records shall include all of the following:

616.60(1)(b)1. 1. Copies of each type of service contract sold.

616.60(1)(b)2. 2. The name and address of each service contract holder that has furnished such information to the provider.

616.60(1)(b)3. 3. A list of the locations where service contracts are marketed, sold, or offered for sale in this state.

616.60(1)(b)4. 4. Written claims files that shall contain at least the dates, descriptions, and amounts paid or denied for claims related to the service contracts.

616.60(1)(b)5. 5. The effective date, expiration date, name of the seller, and provider fee paid for each service contract sold in this state.

616.60(1)(c) (c) Except as provided in sub. (2), a provider shall retain all records required to be maintained under this subsection for a service contract for at least one year after the period of coverage specified in the contract has expired.

616.60(1)(d) (d) The records required under this subsection may be, but are not required to be, maintained on a computer disk or other record-keeping technology. If the records are maintained in other than hard copy, the records shall be capable of duplication to electronic copy or legible hard copy at the request of the commissioner.

616.60(2) (2) A provider discontinuing business in this state shall maintain its records until it furnishes the commissioner satisfactory proof that it has discharged all obligations to service contract holders in this state.

616.60 History History: 2011 a. 226.

616.62 616.62 Enforcement.

616.62(1) (1) The commissioner may conduct examinations of providers, administrators, servicer contract sellers, or other persons under ss. 601.43 to 601.45 to enforce the provisions of this subchapter and protect service contract holders in this state. Upon request of the commissioner, a provider shall make all accounts, books, and records concerning service contracts sold by or on behalf of the provider available to the commissioner which are necessary to enable the commissioner to reasonably determine compliance with this subchapter.

616.62(2) (2) The commissioner may take any action under ss. 601.41 and 601.61 to 601.73 that is necessary or appropriate to enforce the provisions of this subchapter and the commissioner’s rules and orders and to protect service contract holders in this state. The commissioner may subject a provider to any reporting and replying requirement under s. 601.42.

616.62 History History: 2011 a. 226.

subch. IV of ch. 616 SUBCHAPTER IV

MOTOR CLUB SERVICE CONTRACTS

616.71 616.71 Motor club service; definitions. As used in this subchapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires:

616.71(1) (1) “Agent” means one who solicits the purchase of service contracts, as herein defined, or transmits for another any such contract, or application therefor, to or from the company, or acts or aids in any manner in the delivery or negotiation of any such contract, or in the renewal or continuance thereof.

616.71(2) (2) “Bail bond service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, the purpose of which is to furnish to, or procure for, any person accused of violation of any law of this state a cash deposit, bond or other undertaking required by law in order that the accused might enjoy personal freedom pending trial.

616.71(3) (3) “Buying and selling service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, whereby the holder of a service contract with any such company is aided in any way in the purchase or sale of an automobile.

616.71(4) (4) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of insurance, or the commissioner’s assistants or deputies, or other persons authorized to act for the commissioner.

616.71(5) (5) “Company” means any person, firm, partnership, company, association or corporation engaged in selling, furnishing or procuring, as principal, for a consideration, motor club service.

616.71(6) (6) “Discount service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, resulting in the giving of special discounts, rebates or reductions of price on gasoline, oil, repairs, parts, accessories or service for motor vehicles, to holders of service contracts with any such company.

616.71(7) (7) “Emergency road service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, consisting of the adjustment, repair or replacement of the equipment, tires or mechanical parts of an automobile so as to permit it to be operated under its own power.

616.71(8) (8) “Financial service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, whereby loans or other advances of money, with or without security, are made to holders of service contracts with any such company.

616.71(9) (9) “Insurance service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, consisting of the selling or giving with a service contract, as herein defined, or as a result of membership in or affiliation with a company, as herein defined, a policy of insurance covering liability or loss by the holder of a service contract with any such company as the result of injury to the person of such service contract holder following an accident resulting from the ownership, maintenance, operation or use of a motor vehicle.

616.71(10) (10) “Legal service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, consisting of the hiring, retaining, engaging or appointing of an attorney or other person to give professional advice to, or represent, holders of service contracts with any such company, in any court, as the result of liability incurred by the right of action accruing to the holder of a service contract as a result of the ownership, operation, use or maintenance of a motor vehicle.

616.71(11) (11) “Map service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, by which road maps are furnished without cost to holders of service contracts with any such company.

616.71(12) (12) “Motor club service” means the rendering, furnishing or procuring of 3 or more of the following, to any person, in connection with that person’s ownership, operation, use, or maintenance, of a motor vehicle, in consideration of that person’s being or becoming a member of, affiliated with or entitled to membership or other motor club service from any company rendering, procuring or furnishing those services by virtue of any agreement or understanding with any such company:

616.71(12)(a) (a) Towing service.

616.71(12)(b) (b) Emergency road service.

616.71(12)(c) (c) Insurance service.

616.71(12)(d) (d) Bail bond service.

616.71(12)(e) (e) Legal service.

616.71(12)(f) (f) Discount service.

616.71(12)(g) (g) Financial service.

616.71(12)(h) (h) Buying and selling service.

616.71(12)(i) (i) Theft service.

616.71(12)(j) (j) Map service.

616.71(12)(k) (k) Touring service.

616.71(13) (13) “Service contract” means any written agreement whereby any company, as herein defined, for a consideration, promises to render, furnish, or procure for any other person, whether that person is a member of such company or otherwise, motor club service, as herein defined.

616.71(14) (14) “Theft service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, the purpose of which is to locate, identify or recover a motor vehicle, owned or controlled by the holder of a service contract with any such company, which has been, or may be, stolen, or to detect or apprehend the person guilty of such theft.

616.71(15) (15) “Touring service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, by which touring information is furnished without cost to holders of service contracts with any such company.

616.71(16) (16) “Towing service” means any act by a company, as herein defined, consisting of the drafting or moving of a motor vehicle from one place to another under other than its own power.

616.71 History History: 1977 c. 339 ss. 8, 44; Stats. 1977 s. 616.71; 1979 c. 355 s. 236; 1983 a. 189; 1987 a. 166; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 490; 1997 a. 254.

616.72 616.72 License to sell motor club service. No company shall sell or offer for sale any motor club service without first having deposited with the commissioner the sum of $25,000, in cash or securities approved by the commissioner, or, in lieu thereof, a bond in the form prescribed by the commissioner, payable to the state of Wisconsin, in the sum of $50,000, with corporate surety approved by the commissioner, conditioned upon the faithful performance in the sale or rendering of motor club service and payment of any fines or penalties levied against it for failure to comply with this chapter. Upon the depositing of such security with the commissioner, it shall be the duty of said commissioner to issue a certificate of authority to said company. The provisions of this section shall not affect or apply to any company heretofore organized which has been in continuous operation in this state for a period of more than 3 years immediately prior to May 24, 1933 and has a fully paid annual membership of more than 500 members within this state. The foregoing cash deposit or bond is not required in any instance as a penalty, but for the protection of the public only.

616.72 History History: 1977 c. 339 ss. 8, 44; Stats. 1977 s. 616.72.

616.74 616.74 Manner of obtaining company license; fee.

616.74(1) (1) No certificate of authority shall be issued by the commissioner until the company has filed with the commissioner the following:

616.74(1)(a) (a) A formal application in such form and detail as the commissioner may require, executed under oath by its president or other principal officer;

616.74(1)(b) (b) A certified copy of its charter or articles of incorporation and its bylaws, if any;

616.74(1)(c) (c) A certificate from the department of financial institutions, if it is a nonprofit corporation, that it has complied with the corporation laws of this state; if it is a corporation the stock of which has been or is being sold to the general public, a certificate from the division of securities that it has complied with the requirements of the securities law of this state.