2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 629 - Public adjusters.
629.01 - Definitions.

629.01 Definitions. In this chapter:

(1) “Adjusting service” means an act on behalf of an insured, in exchange for compensation, with the preparation, completion, or filing of a first-party claim, including by negotiating values, damages, or depreciation or by applying the loss circumstances to insurance policy provisions.

(2) “Compensation” means anything of value received directly or indirectly in return for the performance of an adjusting service.

(3) “First-party claim” means a claim for damage or loss to real or personal property located in this state that is filed by an insured.

(4) “Insured” means a person whose real or personal property is insured under an insurance policy against which a claim is or will be made.

(5) “Public adjuster” means an individual who engages in adjusting services in this state and, in the case of an individual who is not a resident of this state, has registered with the commissioner under s. 629.02 (2), but does not include any of the following:

(a) An attorney admitted to practice in this state while acting in his or her professional capacity as an attorney.

(b) An individual who negotiates or settles claims arising under a life insurance policy, a policy of disability insurance, as defined in s. 645.675 (1) (h), or an annuity contract.

(c) An individual employed solely for the purpose of obtaining facts surrounding a loss or furnishing technical assistance to a public adjuster, including a photographer, estimator, private investigator, engineer, or handwriting expert.

(d) An individual who settles subrogation claims between insurers.

(e) An individual who is licensed as an intermediary under s. 628.04 or 628.09 while acting in his or her professional capacity as an intermediary.

(f) An individual who represents an insurer in negotiations for the settlement of a claim against the insurer arising out of the coverage provided by an insurance policy.

History: 2019 a. 129; s. 35.17 correction in (5) (intro.) and (b).