Chapter 601

601.423   Social and financial impact reports.

601.43   Examinations and alternatives.

601.44   Conducting examinations.

601.45   Examination costs.

601.46   Commissioner’s records and reports.

601.465   Nondisclosure of information.

601.47   Publications.

601.48   Participation in organizations.

601.49   Access to records.

601.51   Provision of certified copies and notices.

601.53   Insolvency notices.

601.55   Nondomestic insurers; additional requirements.

601.58   Interstate insurance product regulation compact.

SUBCHAPTER V

PROCEDURES AND ENFORCEMENT

601.61   Auxiliary procedural powers.

601.62   Hearings.

601.63   Notice and effective date of orders.

601.64   Enforcement procedure.

601.65   Marketing firm forfeitures.

601.71   Enforcement of policyholder rights.

601.715   Registered agent for service of process.

601.72   Service of process through state officer.

601.73   Procedure for service of process through state officer.

SUBCHAPTER VII

HEALTHCARE STABILITY PLAN

601.80   Definitions; healthcare stability plan.

601.83   Healthcare stability plan; administration.

601.85   Accounting, reports, and audits.

SUBCHAPTER VIII

FIRE DEPARTMENT DUES

601.93   Payment of dues.

601.935   Penalties.

SUBCHAPTER IX

INSURANCE DATA SECURITY

601.95   Definitions.

601.951   General provisions.

601.952   Information security program.

601.953   Investigation of cybersecurity event.

601.954   Notification of a cybersecurity event.

601.955   Confidentiality.

601.956   Enforcement.

Ch. 601 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See definitions in ss. 600.03 and 628.02.

subch. I of ch. 601 SUBCHAPTER I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

601.01 601.01 Purposes. The purposes of chs. 600 to 655 are:

601.01(1) (1) To ensure the solidity of all insurers doing business in this state;

601.01(2) (2) To ensure that policyholders, claimants and insurers are treated fairly and equitably;

601.01(3) (3) To ensure that the state has an adequate and healthy insurance market, characterized by competitive conditions and the exercise of initiative;

601.01(4) (4) To provide for an office that is expert in the field of insurance, and able to enforce chs. 600 to 655;

601.01(5) (5) To encourage full cooperation of the office with other regulatory bodies, both of this and other states and of the federal government;

601.01(6) (6) To improve and thereby preserve state regulation of insurance;

601.01(7) (7) To maintain freedom of contract and freedom of enterprise so far as consistent with the other purposes of the law;

601.01(8) (8) To encourage self-regulation of the insurance enterprise;

601.01(9) (9) To encourage loss prevention as an aspect of the operation of the insurance enterprise;

601.01(10) (10) To keep the public informed on insurance matters; and

601.01(11) (11) To achieve the other purposes stated in chs. 600 to 655.

601.01 History History: 1971 c. 260; 1977 c. 339 ss. 27, 28, 43; 1979 c. 89, 102, 177; 1989 a. 187 s. 29.

601.01 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also Ins, Wis. adm. code.

601.01 Annotation Why process consumer complaints? A case study of the office of the commissioner of insurance of Wisconsin. Whitford, Kimball, 1974 WLR 639.

601.02 601.02 Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise:

601.02(1) (1) “Adjuster” means any person who represents an insurer or an insured in negotiations for the settlement of a claim against the insurer arising out of the coverage provided by an insurance policy.

601.02(3) (3) “Agent” means an intermediary as defined in s. 628.02 (4).

601.02 History History: 1971 c. 260; 1975 c. 371.

601.04 601.04 Certificate of authority; fee.

601.04(1) (1) Scope. This section applies to all insurers incorporated or organized under any law of this state except chs. 611, 612, 613 and 614.

601.04(2) (2) Requirement of license. No insurer or plan subject to this section may transact insurance business in this state without having in effect a certificate of authority.

601.04(3) (3) Licensing. The commissioner shall issue to any insurer or plan subject to this section a certificate of authority authorizing it to transact the business of insurance in this state if the commissioner is satisfied that it has met all requirements of law and that its methods and practices and the character and value of its assets will adequately safeguard the interests of its insureds and the public in this state. Each certificate shall be issued for a period of no longer than one year and shall expire on May 1. It may be renewed from year to year.

601.04(4) (4) Fees. Every insurer or plan obtaining or renewing its certificate shall pay the fee required by s. 601.31 (1) (b) or (c).

601.04 History History: 1971 c. 260; 1973 c. 22; 1975 c. 223, 373; 1977 c. 339 s. 6m; Stats. 1977 s. 601.04; 1979 c. 102 ss. 236 (6), 237; 1981 c. 41.

601.04 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. Ins 15.01, Wis. adm. code.

subch. II of ch. 601 SUBCHAPTER II

OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE

601.11 601.11 Personnel.

601.11(1) (1) Deputy commissioner.

601.11(1)(a) (a) Appointment. The deputy commissioner shall be appointed subject to ss. 15.04 (2) and (3) and 15.73.

601.11(1)(b) (b) Acting commissioner. When the office of commissioner is vacant, or when the commissioner is unable to perform his or her duties because of mental or physical disability, the deputy commissioner shall be acting commissioner. The deputy commissioner shall have such other duties and powers as the commissioner delegates and assigns.

601.11(2) (2) Other personnel. Except for those employed under s. 601.14 (2) or otherwise specifically exempted, all personnel including staff attorneys shall be appointed under the classified service.

601.11 History History: 1977 c. 418.

601.12 601.12 Legal services.

601.12(1) (1) Legal services. The attorney general shall allocate personnel as the legal needs of the office demand.

601.12(2) (2) Enforcement. Upon request of the commissioner, the attorney general shall proceed in any federal or state court or agency to recover any tax or fee related to insurance payable under the laws of this state and not paid when due, and any penalty or forfeiture authorized by chs. 600 to 655. Upon request of the commissioner, the attorney general or, in a proper case, the district attorney of any county, shall aid in any investigation, hearing or other procedure under chs. 600 to 655 and shall institute, prosecute and defend proceedings relating to the enforcement or interpretation of chs. 600 to 655, including any proceeding to which the state, or the insurance commissioner or any employee of the office, in the employee’s official capacity, shall be a party or in which the commissioner or the employee is interested.

601.12 History History: 1975 c. 189; 1977 c. 339 s. 43; 1979 c. 89, 102, 177; 1983 a. 358 s. 14; 1989 a. 187 s. 29.

601.13 601.13 Financial services; deposits.

601.13(1) (1) Receipt of deposits. Subject to the approval of the commissioner, the secretary of administration shall accept deposits or control of acceptable book-entry accounts from insurers and other licensees of the office as follows:

601.13(1)(a) (a) Deposits required or permitted by the laws of this state;

601.13(1)(b) (b) Deposits of domestic insurers or of alien insurers domiciled in this state if required by the laws of other states as prerequisite to authority to do an insurance business in other states; and

601.13(1)(c) (c) Deposits resulting from application of any retaliatory provisions.