OCI > Consumer Publications

Consumer Publications

Last Updated: February 4, 2020

The publications listed below are available on-line by clicking the title of the publication. All materials may be copied without permission.

One copy of each publication listed below is available free of charge. If you would like a hard copy of a publication, a link to the publication order form is provided below. Your request will be filled within 7 to 10 days.

A glossary of insurance terms and definitions commonly used in the insurance business is available on the National Association of Insurance Commissioner's (NAIC) website at http://www.naic.org/consumer_glossary.htm.

Auto Health Homeowner's Liability Life Insurance and Annuities Other

Auto

Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance (PI-057)En Español (Updated March 2018)
Explains the types of coverage provided in an auto insurance policy, how to shop for insurance, and collision damage waiver coverage for rental cars.
Frequently Asked Questions - Auto Insurance (PI-233) (Updated February 2018)
Teenagers and Auto Insurance (PI-200) (Updated February 2019)
Provides information on buying car insurance, saving money, and how underage drinking affects your insurance premium.
Tips for Saving on Auto Insurance (PI-218) (Updated December 2018)

Health

Long-Term Care

Companies Offering Long-Term Care Insurance Policies or Riders in Wisconsin (PI-046) (Updated July 2017)
Lists insurance companies indicating that they offer in Wisconsin long-term care insurance policies or riders.
Guide to Long-Term Care (PI-047) (Updated December 2018)
Explains different types of long-term care insurance and the types of policies sold in Wisconsin to cover long-term care expenses.

Medicare Supplement

Medicare Advantage in Wisconsin (PI-099) (Updated December 2018)
Explains options available to Medicare-eligible persons age 65 and over, and some Medicare-eligible disabled individuals under age 65, who are looking for information about the Medicare Advantage program.
Medicare Part D - Things to Know Before Signing Up (PI-222) (Updated February 2020)
Provides a list of things all seniors should know before signing up for Medicare Part D.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Approved Policies List (PI-010) (Updated January 2020)
Lists policies available in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare (2019) (PI-002) (Updated March 2019)
Explains Medicare and supplemental insurance to cover those expenses not paid by Medicare.

General

ANSI Codes
Claim Adjustment Reason Codes are available at: http://www.wpc-edi.com/codes/claimadjustment.
A Guide to Health Insurance and Worker's Compensation Insurance for Farm Families (PI-072) (Updated January 2019)
Provides information about health insurance and limitations for work-related injuries.
A Shopper's Guide to Cancer Insurance (PI-001) (Reviewed April 2008)
Describes cancer insurance policies and the limitations many of these policies have.
Consumer's Guide to Health Insurance Grievances and Complaints (PI-217) (Updated December 2018)
Provides information on how to resolve disputes with your health plan.
Consumer's Guide to Managed Care Health Plans in Wisconsin (PI-044) (Updated November 2019)
Provides information on all HMO and Limited Service Health Organization Plans in Wisconsin.
Fact Sheet on Benefits for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction & Other Substance Use Disorders(PI-238) (Created December 2018)
A guide intended to assist consumers in locating resources aimed at the treatment of opioid addiction and other substance use disorders.
Fact Sheet on Continuation Rights in Health Insurance Policies (PI-023) (Updated April 2018)
Describes a consumer's rights under Wisconsin law and the federal COBRA law to continue group health insurance coverage after losing previous eligibility for health insurance coverage.
Fact Sheet on Filing a Complaint About Health Plans (PI-231) (Updated October 2018)
Provides information on how to file a complaint and the complaint process.
Fact Sheet on the Independent Review Process in Wisconsin (PI-203) (Reviewed January 2019)
Describes a consumer's right to appeal a health plan's decision to an independent medical expert.
Fact Sheet on Mandated Benefits for the Treatment of Nervous and Mental Disorders or Substance Use Disorders (PI-008) (Updated September 2018)
Summarizes required coverages in group health insurance policies.
Fact Sheet on Mandated Benefits in Health Insurance Policies (PI-019) (Updated September 2018)
Gives a brief description of current mandated benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions on Mandated Coverage for Autism Services (PI-234) (Updated April 2019)
Guide to Health Care Insurance (PI-225) (Updated November 2018)
Provides information on comprehensive health insurance and many of the Affordable Care Act changes.
Grievance Report (Updated July 2019)
Online tool that sumarizes grievance reports submitted by health insurers.
Health Insurance for Small Employers and Their Employees (2020) (PI-206) (Updated January 2020)
Discusses the Small Employer Health Insurance Law and contains monthly new business premium rates.

Homeowner's

After a Storm Hits - Insurance Tips (PI-237) (Created August 2018)
Offers a quick reference list as you deal with the aftermath of severe weather.
A Brief Guide to Renter's Insurance (PI-017) (Updated March 2018)
Explains the basic coverages included in a renter's insurance policy and gives tips on how to purchase renter's insurance.
Buying a Home and Your Insurance Needs (PI-100) (Updated March 2018)
Provides information on homeowner's, flood, private mortgage, and title insurance and discusses other insurance options to consider when buying a home.
Buying a Home—Insurance Terms to Remember When Buying a Home (PI-221) (Updated April 2018)
Condominium Insurance (PI-068) (Updated October 2018)
Explains the basic coverages included in a condominium unit owners policy.
Consumer's Guide to Homeowner's Insurance (PI-015) (Updated January 2017)
Explains the basic coverages included in homeowner's and tenant's insurance policies, the types of policies, what you should do if you have a loss, and the Wisconsin Insurance Plan.
Flood Damage - Frequently Asked Questions (PI-240) (Updated February 2020)
Frequently Asked Questions - Homeowner's Insurance (PI-232) (Updated March 2018)
Insurance Tips for Farm Owners (PI-239) (Created February 2019)
Manufactured Home Insurance (PI-066) (Updated October 2018)
Explains the basic coverages included in a mobile home insurance policy.
Personal Property Home Inventory (PI-224) (Reviewed March 2018)
A personal property home inventory guide to use to list all the items that you have in your home.
Settling Property Insurance Claims (PI-084) (Updated September 2018)
Provides information on what to do after a loss, how to settle an insurance claim, flood insurance, and tips on what to do before a loss.
Tips for Saving on Homeowner's Insurance (PI-219) (Updated December 2018)
Understanding Home-Sharing in Wisconsin (PI-235) (Updated October 2018)
Provides information to potential guests and hosts on important insurance considerations for home-sharing.

Liability

A Guide to Health Insurance and Worker's Compensation Insurance for Farm Families (PI-072) (Updated January 2019)
Provides information about health insurance and limitations for work-related injuries.
Consumer's Guide to Commercial Liability Insurance (PI-045) (Updated December 2018)
Contains basic information on commercial liability insurance, risk management, legal protections, required coverages, and optional coverages.
Consumer's Guide to Day Care Liability Insurance (PI-054) (Updated February 2018)
Answers questions about liability insurance coverage for day care facilities.
Consumer's Guide to Insurance for Small Business Owners (PI-085) (Updated January 2019)
Provides information about business, worker's compensation, health, and auto insurance.
Consumer's Guide to Worker's Compensation Insurance for Employers (PI-065) (Updated January 2019)
Provides information on worker's compensation insurance requirements and answers frequently asked questions.
Fact Sheet on Foster Parent Liability Insurance (PI-048) (Updated February 2018)
Answers questions about liability insurance coverage for foster children.
Surplus Lines Insurers and Agents (PI-026) (Updated January 2019)
Answers questions about surplus lines insurance and procedures for placing surplus lines insurance.
Warranties (PI-069) (Updated January 2018)
Discusses the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the federal law that covers warranties, and answers questions about extended warranties.

Life Insurance and Annuities

Life Insurance Coverage and AIDS (PI-064) (Updated March 2018)
Summarizes rules regarding life insurance and coverage for AIDS and includes Resources for Persons with a Positive HIV Test/The Implications of Testing Positive for HIV (OCI 17-001).
NAIC Life Insurance Buyer's Guide
The link above will bring you to the NAIC's Life Insurance Buyer's Guide.
State Life Insurance Fund
Information about the State Life Insurance Fund that offers life insurance to Wisconsin residents. This also includes a rate table and application information. For more information, call 1-800-562-5558 (Wisconsin residents only).
Understanding Annuities (PI-214) (Updated April 2018)
Explains the different types of annuity contracts, describes the various contractual features and discusses how to shop for an annuity.
NAIC Buyer's Guides for Annuities
The link above will bring you to the National Association of Insurance Commissioner's publications page. The buyer's guides provide consumer information about the different types of annuities.

Other

After a Storm Hits - Insurance Tips (PI-237) (Created August 2018)
Offers a quick reference list as you deal with the aftermath of severe weather.

Documents and Records (PI-223) (Updated April 2018)
Provides a list of documents that will need to be replaced if they have been destroyed and whom to contact for replacements.
Fact Sheet on Credit Insurance (PI-205) (Updated March 2017)
Provides information on credit insurance.
Fact Sheet on Insurance Terminations, Denials, and Cancellations (PI-024) (Updated September 2018)
Summarizes the laws dealing with notice requirements when insurance coverage is terminated.
Frequently Asked Questions About C.L.U.E. (PI-207) (Updated April 2018)
Tips to help you understand how claims information obtained from a C.L.U.E. report may affect your insurance premiums.
Insurance 101, A Guide to Insurance Basics for College Students (PI-215) (Updated August 2018)
Provides information about the types of insurance college students should consider when going away to school.

Insurance Complaints and Administrative Actions (PI-030) - 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011
An annual report summarizing complaint activity and enforcement actions.
Other Sources of Help (Updated August 2017)
Provides information on Small Claims Court.
Tips for Buying Insurance Online (PI-220) (Updated October 2018)
Understanding How Insurance Companies Use Credit Information (PI-204) (Updated September 2018)
Tips to help you understand how your credit information may be used and how it may affect your insurance premiums.
Volunteers and Insurance (PI-236) (Updated September 2017)
Tips for understanding volunteer insurance for volunteers and organizations. This also provides a list of insurance carriers offering volunteer driver coverages.

Wisconsin Insurance News
The Wisconsin Insurance News is published quarterly by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to provide interested parties with information affecting regulation of the Wisconsin insurance market.

Wisconsin Insurance Report
The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance is required by statute to submit a report to the Governor and to the legislature that includes an organizational chart of the Commissioner's Office, a general review of the insurance business, a summary of complaints, a summary of rules promulgated, a list of insurers authorized to do business in the state, a list of all revocations of licenses or certificates of authority and any legislative changes.

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If you want more than one copy of any one publication, please call 1-800-236-8517 (in state only) or (608) 266-3585 or send an e-mail request including your name, phone number, and e-mail address and publication requested to ocipublications@wisconsin.gov. All materials may be copied without permission. Information regarding bulk orders is available on OCI's Web site.