In Wisconsin, prior to 1870, foreign (out-of-state) insurance companies reported to the Secretary of State (WIHV85-A527), while domestic companies reported directly to the governor. In 1870, an Insurance Department was created in the office of the Secretary of State combining those activities. Under Chapter 214, Laws of 1878, the Department became a separate agency headed by a commissioner. Since that time, the commissioner has been appointed by the governor except during the years 1881-1911 when the position was an elective office. In Wisconsin State Archives' database entries, the above form of name is used for all appropriate records, 1870-1967. In 1967, the Department was renamed the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (WIHV85-A109).
The Insurance Department principally was responsible for enforcing the laws of the state relating to insurance by supervising insuring organizations and their agents. The department licensed insuring organizations, agents, adjusters, and rating organizations, and prepared and furnished forms of annual statements which were completed and filed by the various types of insurers in Wisconsin.
The Insurance Commissioner also functioned as the ex officio state fire marshall from 1911 to 1917 when those duties were transferred to the Industrial Commission. The Department also administered the State Insurance Fund since 1903 and the State Life Fund since 1911.