Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 344 - Vehicles — financial responsibility.
344.579 - Violations.

344.579 Violations.
(1) Penalties. Whoever violates s. 344.574, 344.576 (1), (2) or (3) (a) or (b), 344.577 or 344.578 may be required to forfeit not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for each violation.
(2) Enforcement. The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall investigate violations of ss. 344.574, 344.576 (1), (2) and (3) (a) and (b), 344.577 and 344.578. The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection may on behalf of the state:
(a) Bring an action for temporary or permanent injunctive or other relief in any court of competent jurisdiction for any violation of s. 344.574, 344.576 (1), (2) or (3) (a) or (b), 344.577 or 344.578. The court may, upon entry of final judgment, award restitution when appropriate to any person suffering loss because of a violation of s. 344.574, 344.576 (1), (2) or (3) (a) or (b), 344.577 or 344.578 if proof of such loss is submitted to the satisfaction of the court.
(b) Bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for the recovery of forfeitures authorized under sub. (1).
(3) Defense. Proof by a rental company that the rental company began an action to impose liability upon a renter or authorized driver, even though the renter had purchased a damage waiver sold under s. 344.576, because of a good-faith mistake that an exception under s. 344.576 (2) (a) to (k) applied is a defense to a prosecution for a violation of the terms of the damage waiver under s. 344.576 (2).
History: 1989 a. 328; 1995 a. 27; 2005 a. 173.

Structure Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations

Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations

Chapter 344 - Vehicles — financial responsibility.

344.01 - Words and phrases defined.

344.02 - Hearing on suspension or impoundment.

344.03 - Judicial review.

344.04 - Power of court to stay suspension of registration or impoundment of vehicles.

344.05 - Courts to report nonpayment of certain judgments.

344.07 - Responsibility law not to prevent other process.

344.08 - Suspension for failure to report accident.

344.09 - Reinstatement of operating privilege and registration.

344.12 - Applicability of provisions relating to deposit of security for past accidents.

344.13 - Secretary to determine amount of security required following accident and to give notice thereof.

344.14 - Suspension for failure to deposit security; impoundment of vehicle; exceptions.

344.15 - Requirements as to policy or bond.

344.16 - Requirements as to self-insurers.

344.17 - Requirements as to form and amount of security.

344.18 - Duration of suspension for failure to deposit security.

344.185 - Duration of impoundment of motor vehicle; disposition.

344.19 - Applicability to nonresidents, unlicensed drivers, unregistered motor vehicles and accidents in other states.

344.20 - Custody, disposition and return of security.

344.21 - Matters not to be evidence in civil suits.

344.22 - Short title.

344.24 - Applicability of sections relating to proof of financial responsibility for the future.

344.25 - Suspension for nonpayment of judgment; exceptions.

344.26 - Suspension after judgment for money damages.

344.27 - Installment payment of judgments; suspension upon default.

344.29 - Proof of financial responsibility for the future required.

344.30 - Methods of giving proof of financial responsibility.

344.31 - Certification of insurance as proof.

344.33 - “ Motor vehicle liability policy" defined.

344.34 - Notice of cancellation or termination of certified policy.

344.35 - This chapter not to affect other policies.

344.36 - Bond as proof.

344.37 - Money or securities as proof.

344.38 - Owner and leasing company may give proof for others.

344.39 - Substitution of proof.

344.40 - Revocation or suspension for failure to maintain proof; other proof may be required.

344.41 - Duration of proof; when proof may be canceled or returned.

344.42 - Submission of certifications and recertifications by insurers.

344.45 - Surrender of license and registration upon suspension.

344.46 - Transfer of vehicle ownership to defeat purpose of chapter.

344.48 - Forged proof.

344.51 - Financial responsibility for domestic rented or leased vehicles.

344.52 - Financial responsibility for foreign rented vehicles.

344.55 - Insurance for human service vehicles.

344.57 - Definitions applicable to ss. 344.57 to 344.579.

344.572 - Applicability to rental agreements.

344.574 - Limited liability for damage.

344.576 - Damage waivers.

344.577 - Advertisement or representation.

344.578 - Credit card for deposit or damages.

344.579 - Violations.

344.61 - Definitions.

344.62 - Motor vehicle liability insurance required.

344.63 - Exceptions to motor vehicle liability insurance requirement.

344.64 - Fraudulent, false, or invalid proof of insurance.

344.65 - Violations.

344.66 - Rules.

344.67 - Notice.