What is the official name of the department agency or office in charge of insurance regulation for Wisconsin?

Proof of insurance is filed by providing a SR22 certificate to DMV. To obtain a SR22 certificate, contact an insurance company licensed to do business in Wisconsin.

Most insurance companies that file SR22 certificates will electronically file or mail the information to DMV. The electronically filed information is usually entered automatically on the customer's driver record within one to two working days.

If the insurance company does not, or will not, file the SR22 certificate on your behalf, you can fax or email it to the contact below. You must submit the actual SR22 certificate, we are unable to accept an insurance summary or other general proof of insurance.

When filing an SR22 owner only policy, insurance companies should fill out the certificate in the normal fashion except:

  • Check only the "Owners Policy" box
  • Write “All Owned Vehicles” in the vehicle information section

Check the status of your insurance filing​

Filing insurance in lieu of sponsorship

If you are filing a SR22 certificate in lieu of sponsorship, it’s important that you tell the insurance agent you want to obtain insurance "in lieu of sponsorship" so that the agent understands the filing is not required due to a revocation or suspension of your operating privilege.

License surrender in lieu of filing

If, at any time during the three-year filing period, you wish to stop carrying SR22 proof of insurance and discontinue driving in Wisconsin, you can avoid paying the additional fees by surrendering your driver license to the DMV​ ​before ​canceling the insurance while the SR22 policy is still in effect.​

Find contact information for insurance departments and local insurance agents, or file a complaint.

What is the official name of the department agency or office in charge of insurance regulation for Wisconsin?

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From Ballotpedia

Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance

What is the official name of the department agency or office in charge of insurance regulation for Wisconsin?
General information
Office Type:   Nonpartisan
Office website:   Official Link
Compensation:   $135,262
2022 FY Budget:   $19,667,900
Term limits:   None
Structure
Length of term:   Serves at the pleasure of the governor
Authority:   Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 15.73
Selection Method:   Appointed by Governor
Current Officeholder

Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance Nathan Houdek
Nonpartisan
Assumed office: 2022-01-03

Other Wisconsin Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission

The Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance is an appointed position in the Wisconsin state government. The position was created by the legislature in 1871 to ensure that the insurance industry "responsibly and adequately met the insurance needs of Wisconsin citizens."[1] The current mission of the office is to lead the way in informing and protecting the public and responding to its insurance needs.[1]

Current officeholder

The current officeholder is Nathan Houdek. He was appointed to the position in January 2022 by Governor Tony Evers (D).[2]

Wisconsin law provides that heads of independent agencies may create and appoint such councils and committees as the operation of the agency requires.

Wisconsin Statutes, Section 15.04

In addition to any councils specifically created by law, create and appoint such councils or committees as the operation of the department or independent agency requires. Members of councils and committees created under this general authority shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and, if such reimbursement is made, such reimbursement in the case of an officer or employee of this state who represents an agency as a member of such a council or committee shall be paid by the agency which pays the officer's or employee's salary.

The creation of the commissioner of insurance is designated in Wisconsin Statutes.

Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 15.73, Office of commissioner of insurance; creation

There is created an office of the commissioner of insurance under the direction and supervision of the commissioner of insurance. The commissioner shall not: (1) Be a candidate for public office in any election; (2) Directly or indirectly solicit or receive, or be in any manner concerned with soliciting or receiving any assessment, subscription, contribution or service, whether voluntary or involuntary, for any political purpose whatever, from any person within or without the state; nor (3) Act as an officer or manager for any candidate, political party or committee organized to promote the candidacy of any person for any public office.

The insurance law, Section 601.20 of Wisconsin Statutes, authorizes the commissioner of insurance to create advisory councils and committees to assist in dealing with regulatory problems.

Wisconsin Statutes, Section 601.20

The commissioner may create advisory councils and committees under s. 15.04 (1) (c) to assist in dealing with regulatory problems. The commissioner may appoint members and may provide by rule for the creation, governance, duties and termination of any council or committee the commissioner establishes.

Qualifications

Qualifications for the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance are detailed within the Wisconsin State Statutes, Chapter 15.73:

The commissioner shall not:

  • Be a candidate for public office in any election;
  • Directly or indirectly solicit or receive, or be in any manner concerned with soliciting or receiving any assessment, subscription, contribution or service, whether voluntary or involuntary, for any political purpose whatever, from any person within or without the state; nor
  • Act as an officer or manager for any candidate, political party or committee organized to promote the candidacy of any person for any public office.

Appointments

The commissioner of insurance is appointed by the governor.[3]

Vacancies

In the instance of a vacancy, under Chapter 15.05 of the Wisconsin Statutes, a new commissioner is nominated by the governor.[4]

Duties

As of February 2021, the duties of the office included:[1]

  • Reviewing insurance policies that are sold in Wisconsin to make sure they meet the requirements set forth in Wisconsin law;
  • Conducting examinations of domestic and foreign insurers to ensure compliance with Wisconsin laws and rules;
  • Monitoring the financial solvency of licensed companies to make sure that consumers have the insurance coverage they expect when they need it;
  • Issuing licenses to the various parties involved in selling and marketing insurance products;
  • Assisting insurance consumers with their insurance problems;
  • Researching special insurance issues to understand and assess their impact on Wisconsin;
  • Providing technical assistance on legislation and promulgating administrative rules to interpret insurance laws;
  • Creating and distributing public information and consumer education pieces to educate people about insurance; and
  • Operating a state life insurance fund and a patients compensation fund insuring health care providers for medical malpractice.[5]

Divisions

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

State budget

See also: Wisconsin state budget and finances

The budget for the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance in Fiscal Year 2022 was $19,667,900.[6]

Compensation

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

2021

In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $135,262, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]

2020

In 2020, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $132,600 according to the Council of State Governments.[8]

2019

In 2019, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $130,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[9]

2018

In 2018, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $119,413 according to the Council of State Governments.[10]

2017

In 2017, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $119,413 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]

2016

In 2016, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $119,413 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]

2015

In 2015, the insurance commissioner received a salary of $119,864 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]

2014

In 2014, the commissioner received a salary of $118,676 according to the Council of State Governments.[14]

2013

In 2013, the commissioner's salary remained at $117,500 according to the Council of State Governments.[15]

2012

In 2012, the commissioner received a salary of $117,500 according to the Council of State Governments.

Historical officeholders

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

Mark Afable, 2019-2022

State profile

What is the official name of the department agency or office in charge of insurance regulation for Wisconsin?

Demographic data for Wisconsin
 WisconsinU.S.
Total population: 5,767,891 316,515,021
Land area (sq mi): 54,158 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White: 86.5% 73.6%
Black/African American: 6.3% 12.6%
Asian: 2.5% 5.1%
Native American: 0.9% 0.8%
Pacific Islander: 0% 0.2%
Two or more: 2.1% 3%
Hispanic/Latino: 6.3% 17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate: 91% 86.7%
College graduation rate: 27.8% 29.8%
Income
Median household income: $53,357 $53,889
Persons below poverty level: 15% 11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Wisconsin.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Wisconsin

Wisconsin voted for the Democratic candidate in five out of the six presidential elections between 2000 and 2020.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, 23 are located in Wisconsin, accounting for 11.17 percent of the total pivot counties.[16]

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Wisconsin had 21 Retained Pivot Counties and two Boomerang Pivot Counties, accounting for 11.60 and 8.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.

More Wisconsin coverage on Ballotpedia

  • Elections in Wisconsin
  • United States congressional delegations from Wisconsin
  • Public policy in Wisconsin
  • Influencers in Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin fact checks
  • More...

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Contact info

Physical address:

125 South Webster Street

Madison, Wisconsin 53703-3474
Phone: (608) 266-3585 (Madison), (800) 236-8517 (Statewide)

See also

WisconsinState Executive ElectionsNews and Analysis

What is the official name of the department agency or office in charge of insurance regulation for Wisconsin?

What is the official name of the department agency or office in charge of insurance regulation for Wisconsin?

What is the official name of the department agency or office in charge of insurance regulation for Wisconsin?

Wisconsin State Executive OfficesWisconsin State LegislatureWisconsin Courts 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016Wisconsin elections: 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 Party control of state governmentState government trifectasState of the state addressesPartisan composition of governors
  • Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wisconsin Government, "Office of the Commissioner of Insurance" accessed February 1, 2021
  2. Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, "Senior Leadership," accessed January 6, 2022
  3. Wisconsin State Offices, "Office of the Commissioner of Insurance" accessed July 17, 2012
  4. Wisconsin Statutes, "Chapter 15: Structure of the Executive Branch -- Subchapter I: General Provisions, Section 15.05: Secretaries," accessed February 1, 2021
  5. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  6. Wisconsin State Legislature, "2021-2022 Appropriations." accessed September 29, 2021
  7. Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
  8. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed February 1, 2021
  9. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed February 1, 2021
  10. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed February 1, 2021
  11. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed February 1, 2021
  12. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
  13. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
  14. Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
  15. Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 31, 2014
  16. The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.

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What is the official name of the department agency or office in charge of insurance regulation for Wisconsin?

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State of Wisconsin
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What is the official name of the department agency or office in charge of insurance regulation for Washington State?

Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

What is the official name of the department agency or office in charge of insurance regulation for Kansas?

The Kansas Legislature established the Kansas Insurance Department in 1871.

Who is in charge of Wisconsin insurance Department?

Nathan Ho​udek ​Commissioner Houdek serves as the state's chief regulator of insurance and oversees the operations of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.

What agency regulates the insurance industry?

Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state's consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry.