Wisconsin Statutes Vehicles (Ch. 340 to 351) § 344.52. Financial responsibility for foreign rented vehicles

(2)(a) If a motor vehicle rented for compensation outside this state is operated in this state, the lessor of the vehicle is considered to have irrevocably appointed the secretary as the agent or attorney upon whom legal process may be served in any action or proceeding against the lessor or the lessor's personal representative, successors, or assigns, growing out of the operation of the rented motor vehicle in this state, which appointment is binding upon the lessor's personal representative, successors, or assigns. The operation of the rented motor vehicle in this state is a signification of the lessor's agreement that legal process or notice may be served upon the lessor or the lessor's personal representative, successors, or assigns and that process or notice so served has the same legal force as if personally served upon them in this state.

(b) Service of process or notice under par. (a) shall be made as provided in s. 345.09. This section does not affect the right to serve process or notice on the nonresident operator of the rented motor vehicle as provided in s. 345.09.