Chapter 616

616.50(1)(a) (a) Approving or disapproving claims, paying claims, or controlling the claims adjustment process.

616.50(1)(b) (b) Arranging for or controlling the purchase of insurance associated with the offering of service contracts.

616.50(1)(c) (c) Maintaining records or submitting filings required under this subchapter on behalf of a provider.

616.50(1)(d) (d) Collecting provider fees from service contract sellers and remitting the provider fees to the provider.

616.50(2) (2) “Administrator” means a person appointed by a provider under s. 616.54 (1) to be responsible for any or all of the administration of service contracts and compliance with this subchapter.

616.50(3) (3) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of insurance.

616.50(4) (4) “Consumer” means an individual who buys other than for purposes of resale any tangible personal property that is distributed in commerce and that is normally used for personal, family, or household purposes and not for business or research purposes.

616.50(5) (5) “Maintenance agreement” means a contract of a specified duration that provides for scheduled maintenance only and does not include repair or replacement.

616.50(6) (6) “Motor vehicle manufacturer” means a person that does or satisfies any of the following:

616.50(6)(a) (a) Manufactures or produces motor vehicles and sells motor vehicles under its own name or label.

616.50(6)(b) (b) Is a subsidiary of the person that manufactures or produces motor vehicles.

616.50(6)(c) (c) Is a corporation that owns 100 percent of the person that manufactures or produces motor vehicles.

616.50(6)(d) (d) Manufactures or produces motor vehicles and sells motor vehicles under the trade name or label of another person that manufactures or produces motor vehicles.

616.50(6)(e) (e) Does not manufacture or produce motor vehicles but, pursuant to a written contract, licenses the use of its trade name or label to another person that manufactures or produces motor vehicles and that sells motor vehicles under the licensor’s trade name or label.

616.50(7) (7) “Nonoriginal manufacturer’s parts” means replacement parts for property that are not made for or by the original manufacturer of the property.

616.50(8) (8) “Provider” means a person that is contractually obligated to a service contract holder under the terms of a service contract.

616.50(9) (9) “Provider fee” means the consideration paid for a service contract.

616.50(10) (10) “Reimbursement insurance policy” means any of the following:

616.50(10)(a) (a) A policy of insurance issued to a provider under the terms of the insured service contracts issued or sold by the provider that, in the event of the provider’s or administrator’s nonperformance, will pay or perform on behalf of the provider or administrator all covered contractual obligations or services under the terms of the insured service contracts issued or sold by the provider.

616.50(10)(b) (b) A policy of insurance issued to a provider that provides the coverage specified in par. (a) and additional coverage that does not conflict with par. (a).

616.50(11) (11) “Service contract” means a contract or agreement for a separately stated consideration for a specific duration to perform the repair, replacement, or maintenance of property, or to provide indemnification for the repair, replacement, or maintenance of property, for the operational or structural failure of property, due to a defect in materials or workmanship, accidental damage from handling, or normal wear and tear, with or without additional provisions for incidental payment of indemnity under limited circumstances, including towing, rental, and emergency road service and road hazard protection. “Service contract” includes a contract or agreement that provides for any of the following:

616.50(11)(a) (a) The repair, replacement, or maintenance of property or indemnification for the repair, replacement, or maintenance of property for damage resulting from a power surge or interruption.

616.50(11)(b) (b) The repair or replacement or indemnification for the repair or replacement of a motor vehicle for the operational or structural failure of one or more parts or systems of the motor vehicle brought about by the failure of an additive product to perform as represented.

616.50(11)(c) (c) The repair or replacement of tires or wheels on a motor vehicle damaged as a result of coming into contact with road hazards including potholes, rocks, wood debris, metal parts, glass, plastic, curbs, or composite scraps.

616.50(11)(d) (d) The removal of dents, dings, or creases on a motor vehicle that can be repaired using the process of paintless dent removal without affecting the existing paint finish and without replacing vehicle body panels, sanding, bonding, or painting.

616.50(11)(e) (e) The repair or replacement of motor vehicle windshield chips or cracks.

616.50(11)(f) (f) The repair of damage to the interior components of a motor vehicle caused by wear and tear, but does not include the replacement of any part or component of a motor vehicle’s interior.

616.50(11)(g) (g) The repair or replacement of a motor vehicle key or key fob in the event that the key or key fob becomes inoperable or is lost or stolen.

616.50(11)(h) (h) The repair, replacement, or maintenance of a motor vehicle, or indemnification for the repair, replacement, or maintenance, for excess wear to the motor vehicle that results in excess wear and use charges at the end of a lease that are assessed by a lessor under a motor vehicle lease agreement, if the value of any benefits under the contract or agreement does not exceed the purchase price of the motor vehicle.

616.50(12) (12) “Service contract holder” means a person who is the purchaser or holder of a service contract.

616.50(13) (13) “Service contract seller” means a person, including a real estate agent, who is engaged only in the selling or soliciting of a service contract, but who is not acting as a provider or involved in the administration of service contracts.

616.50(14) (14) “Warranty” means a warranty made solely by the manufacturer, importer, or seller of property or services without consideration, that is not negotiated or separated from the sale of the product or services, that is incidental to the sale of the product or services, and that guarantees indemnity for defective parts, mechanical or electrical breakdown, labor, or other remedial measures, such as repair or replacement of the property or repetition of services.

616.50 History History: 2011 a. 226; 2021 a. 129.

616.52 616.52 Applicability.

616.52(1) (1) This subchapter does not apply to any of the following:

616.52(1)(a) (a) Warranties, as defined in s. 100.203 (1) (g), 100.205 (1) (g), or 616.50 (14).

616.52(1)(b) (b) Maintenance agreements.

616.52(1)(c) (c) Service contracts offered by public utilities on their devices for the transmission of public utility service to customers to the extent such service contracts are regulated by the public service commission.

616.52(1)(cm) (cm) Service contracts offered by cooperative associations organized under ch. 185, for the purpose of producing or furnishing heat, light, power, or water to their members, or by subsidiaries or affiliates of such cooperative associations.

616.52(1)(d) (d) Service contracts sold or offered for sale to persons other than consumers.

616.52(1)(e) (e) Service contracts for inside wire protection plans associated with the offering of telecommunications service, as defined in s. 182.017 (1g) (cq), or video service, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2) (y).

616.52(1)(f) (f) Service contracts with respect to commercial property used in the provision of telecommunications service, as defined in s. 182.017 (1g) (cq), or video service, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2) (y).

616.52(2) (2) Motor vehicle manufacturer’s service contracts on the motor vehicle manufacturer’s products are exempt from this subchapter, except for ss. 616.56 (1) to (3) and (6) to (16), 616.58, and 616.62, and motor vehicle manufacturers offering service contracts on the motor vehicle manufacturer’s products are exempt from licensure under s. 616.54 (4).

616.52(3) (3) A person who holds a valid certificate of authority under s. Ins 15.01, Wis. Adm. Code may elect to do one of the following:

616.52(3)(a) (a) Continue to operate in this state under the certificate of authority. If the person makes such an election, s. Ins 15.01, Wis. Adm. Code shall continue to apply to the person and this section shall not apply to the person.

616.52(3)(b) (b) Apply for a license as a provider pursuant to s. 616.54 (4). If the person is licensed, this subchapter shall apply to the person and s. Ins 15.01, Wis. Adm. Code shall not apply to the person for any service contracts issued subsequent to licensure.

616.52 History History: 2011 a. 226; 2015 a. 197 s. 51.

616.54 616.54 Requirements for doing business.

616.54(1) (1) Appointment of administrator. A provider may, but is not required to, appoint an administrator to be responsible for any or all of the administration of service contracts and compliance with this subchapter. Except as provided in s. 616.58 (2) (b), a provider shall be liable for the acts of an administrator appointed by the provider to assist with the administration of the provider’s service contracts to the extent such acts relate to the provider’s service contracts offered in or from this state. No person may act as an administrator of service contracts sold in this state unless the person registers with the commissioner by providing the following information:

616.54(1)(a) (a) The name, business address, and other information required by the commissioner for an employee or officer of the administrator that is designated by the applicant as the person responsible for the administration of service contracts in this state.

616.54(1)(b) (b) The location of the administrator’s home office.

616.54(1)(c) (c) The names of the service contract providers for whom the administrator performs administration.

616.54(2) (2) Receipt and copy of contract. A service contract may not be issued, sold, or offered for sale in this state unless the provider of the service contract has done all of the following:

616.54(2)(a) (a) Provided a receipt for, or other written evidence of, the purchase of the service contract to the service contract holder.

616.54(2)(b) (b) Provided a copy of the service contract to the service contract holder within a reasonable period of time from the date of purchase.

616.54(3) (3) Sample contract. A provider shall provide a consumer with a complete sample copy of the service contract terms and conditions prior to the time of sale upon a request for the same by the consumer. A provider may comply with this subsection by providing the consumer with a complete sample copy of the terms and conditions or by directing the consumer to an Internet website containing a complete sample of the terms and conditions of the service contract.

616.54(4) (4) Licensure.

616.54(4)(a) (a) No person may act as a provider in this state unless the commissioner issues a license to the person under par. (c).

616.54(4)(b) (b) A person seeking to act as a provider in this state shall submit an application for licensure with the commissioner consisting of all of the following:

616.54(4)(b)1. 1. The applicant’s name.

616.54(4)(b)2. 2. The applicant’s full business address.

616.54(4)(b)3. 3. The applicant’s telephone number.

616.54(4)(b)4. 4. The name and full business address of a person in this state designated for service of process.

616.54(4)(b)5. 5. A copy of the service contracts proposed to be sold in this state that comply with s. 616.56.

616.54(4)(b)6. 6. Documentation of compliance with sub. (5).

616.54(4)(b)7. 7. The names of any administrator appointed by the applicant to assist with the administration of the provider’s service contract business in this state.

616.54(4)(b)8. 8. An initial licensure fee in the amount specified in s. 601.31 (1) (kr).

616.54(4)(c) (c) Upon receipt of an application that complies with par. (b) as determined by the commissioner, the commissioner shall issue a license to the applicant.

616.54(4)(d) (d) The information submitted with an applicant’s application for licensure need only be updated by written notification to the commissioner if material changes occur in the license application on file with the commissioner.

616.54(4)(e) (e) By March 31 of each year after issuance of a license under par. (c), a provider shall pay the commissioner an annual fee in the amount specified in s. 601.31 (1) (kr).

616.54(5) (5) Assurance of performance; in general. In order to assure the faithful performance of a provider’s obligations to its service contract holders, each provider shall be responsible for complying with the requirements specified in sub. (6) or (7).

616.54(6) (6) Assurance of performance; insurance.

616.54(6)(a) (a) A provider may satisfy sub. (5) by insuring all service contracts under a reimbursement insurance policy that has been filed with and approved by the commissioner under s. 631.20, that is issued by an insurer authorized to do business in this state, and that satisfies, at a minimum, all of the following:

616.54(6)(a)1. 1. The policy states that, if the provider covered under the policy does not provide, or reimburse or pay for, a service that is covered under a service contract insured under the policy within 60 days after a service contract holder provides proof of loss, or in the event of the provider’s insolvency or other financial impairment, the service contract holder may file a claim with the insurer issuing the reimbursement insurance policy for reimbursement, payment, or provision of the service.

616.54(6)(a)2. 2. The policy states that the insurer issuing the policy shall assume full responsibility for administering and paying claims and other obligations under service contracts insured under the policy if the provider or designated administrator fails to do so.

616.54(6)(a)3. 3. The policy states that the insurer issuing the policy may not terminate or refuse to renew the policy unless the insurer has provided a written notice of termination or nonrenewal to the commissioner at least 60 days before the date of the termination or, in the case of nonrenewal, the expiration of the policy.

616.54(6)(b) (b) If a reimbursement insurance policy by which a provider is satisfying this subsection is terminated, cancelled, or not renewed for any reason, or if the insurer issuing the policy is not in compliance with applicable financial standards, all of the following apply:

616.54(6)(b)1. 1. The provider shall immediately notify the commissioner of the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of the policy, if applicable.

616.54(6)(b)2. 2. The provider shall cease selling service contracts in this state until the provider either files with the commissioner a new reimbursement insurance policy that covers its obligations under service contracts sold in the state and that satisfies the requirements under par. (a) or provides a deposit or irrevocable letter of credit in accordance with sub. (7).

616.54(6)(b)3. 3. If the commissioner so requests, the provider shall file with the commissioner copies of its audited financial statements or financial statements that are certified as accurate by a corporate officer of the provider if the provider does not have audited financial statements.

616.54(6)(c) (c) An insurer issuing a reimbursement insurance policy to a provider is considered to have received the premium for that insurance policy upon payment by a consumer of the fee for a service contract issued by the insured provider.

616.54(6)(d) (d) The termination or nonrenewal of a provider’s reimbursement insurance policy does not reduce the insurer’s responsibility with respect to service contracts issued by the provider before the date of the termination or, in the case of nonrenewal, the expiration of the policy.

616.54(6)(e) (e) Nothing in this subsection prevents, or limits the right of, an insurer that issued a reimbursement insurance policy to seek indemnification from or subrogation against a provider if the insurer pays or is obligated to pay the service contract holder any amount that the provider was obligated to pay under the service contract.

616.54(7) (7) Assurance of performance; deposit or irrevocable letter of credit.

616.54(7)(a) (a) A provider may satisfy sub. (5) by providing security to compensate any service contract holder who sustains a loss due to the failure of the provider to perform its obligations under a service contract as a result of insolvency or other financial impairment. The commissioner shall approve the amount and form of the security.

616.54(7)(b) (b) The security under this subsection shall be in one or a combination of the following forms:

616.54(7)(b)1. 1. A deposit of securities under s. 601.13 for the benefit of Wisconsin consumers.

616.54(7)(b)2. 2. An irrevocable letter of credit that is from a bank properly chartered by the federal government or any state, that is acceptable to the commissioner, and that is issued for a term of at least 5 years with provision for renewal 2 years before termination. The letter of credit shall be payable to the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee for the benefit of Wisconsin consumers upon a finding by the commissioner that a provider is insolvent or financially impaired and unable to meet its obligations under service contracts issued in Wisconsin. The provider shall notify the commissioner in writing of the nonrenewal of a letter of credit within 30 days after receiving a notice of nonrenewal. No provider whose letter of credit has been nonrenewed may offer or sell or renew any service contract on or after the date of nonrenewal until the provider obtains security satisfying the requirements of this subsection or satisfies the requirements of sub. (6).

616.54(7)(c) (c) The security under this subsection shall be not less than $50,000 plus one of the following: