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WISCONSIN - Insurable Interest Laws

As of August 1, 2007
Most recent legislation changes:  2001

631.07. Insurable interest and consent.

(1) INSURABLE INTEREST.

No insurer may knowingly issue a policy to a person without an insurable interest in the subject of the insurance.

(2) CONSENT IN LIFE AND DISABILITY INSURANCE.

Except under sub. (3), no insurer may knowingly issue an individual life or disability insurance policy to a person other than the one whose life or health is at risk unless the latter has given written consent to the issuance of the policy. Consent may be expressed by knowingly signing the application for the insurance with knowledge of the nature of the document, or in any other reasonable way.

(3) CASES WHERE CONSENT IS UNNECESSARY OR MAY BE GIVEN BY ANOTHER.

(a) Consent unnecessary. A life or disability insurance policy may be taken out without consent in any of the following cases:

1. A person may obtain insurance on a dependent who does not have legal capacity.

2. A creditor may at the expense of the creditor obtain life or disability insurance on the debtor in an amount reasonably related to the amount of the debt.

3. A person may obtain a life or disability insurance policy on members of the persons family living with or dependent on the person.

3m. A person may obtain a disability insurance policy on a child placed for adoption, as defined in s. 632.896 (1) (c), with the person.

4. A person may obtain a disability insurance policy on others that would merely indemnify against expenses the policyholder would be legally or morally obligated to pay.

(am) Insurance for persons in international public service. The commissioner may promulgate rules permitting issuance of insurance for a limited term on the life or health of a person serving outside the continental United States in the public service of the United States, provided the policyholder is closely related by blood, marriage or adoption to the person whose life or health is insured.

(b) Consent given by another. Consent may be given by another in the following cases:

1. A parent, a guardian of the person, or a person having legal custody as defined in s. 48.02 (12) may consent to the issuance of a policy on a dependent child.

2. A grandparent may consent to the issuance of life or disability insurance on a grandchild.

3. A court of general jurisdiction may give consent on ex parte application on the showing of any facts the court considers sufficient to justify such insurance.

(4) EFFECT OF LACK OF INSURABLE INTEREST OR CONSENT.

No insurance policy is invalid merely because the policyholder lacks insurable interest or because consent has not been given, but a court with appropriate jurisdiction may order the proceeds to be paid to someone other than the person to whom the policy is designated to be payable, who is equitably entitled thereto, or may create a constructive trust in the proceeds or a part thereof, subject to terms and conditions of the policy other than those relating to insurable interest or consent.

Ins 2.45 Charitable organizations; insurable interest. 

(1) PURPOSE.  The purpose of this section is to interpret s. 631.07, Stats., with respect to the insurable interest of charitable organizations. This section does not limit or abridge any insurable interest existing at common law or by statute.

(2) SCOPE.  This section applies to life insurance policies issued in this state, including, but not limited to, policies in force on March 1, 1994.

(3) DEFINITIONS.  In this section:

        (a)  "Charitable organization" means an organization described in 26 USC 170 (c) or 26 USC 501 (c) (3).

        (b)  "Life insurance" includes endowment policies and annuities.

(4) INSURABLE INTEREST.  A charitable organization may be the applicant, owner or beneficiary of a life insurance policy issued on the life of any individual. A charitable organization is deemed to have an insurable interest in the individual. For insurance applied for on or after March 1, 1994, the charitable organization has an insurable interest only if it obtains the consent of the individual in writing or by other means authorized by common law or by statute.

This information does not constitute legal advice by the Insurance Barometer LLC and should not be relied upon as such. Every effort has been made to provide correct and accurate information but the reader should verify state laws prior to implementing an insurance program.