§ 23-65-205 - Defense of action by unauthorized insurer -- Damages and attorney fees.
23-65-205. Defense of action by unauthorized insurer -- Damages and attorney fees.
(1) Before an unauthorized insurer shall file or cause to be filed any pleading in any action or proceeding instituted against it under 23-65-202 and 23-65-203, such insurer shall:
(a) Procure a certificate of authority to transact insurance in this state; or
(b) Deposit with the clerk of the court in which such action or proceeding is pending cash or securities or file with such clerk a bond with good and sufficient sureties, to be approved by the court, in an amount to be fixed by the court sufficient to secure the payment of any final judgment which may be rendered in such action. The court may in its discretion make an order dispensing with such deposit or bond where the insurer makes a showing satisfactory to the court that it maintains in a state of the United States funds or securities, in trust or otherwise, sufficient and available to satisfy any final judgment which may be entered in such action or proceeding and that the insurer will pay any final judgment entered therein without requiring suit to be brought on such judgment in the state where such funds or securities are located.
(2) The court in any action or proceeding in which service is made in the manner provided in 23-65-203 may, in its discretion, order such postponement as may be necessary to afford the defendant reasonable opportunity to comply with the provisions of subsection (1), and to defend such action.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) is to be construed to prevent an unauthorized insurer from filing a motion to quash or to set aside the service of any process made in the manner provided in 23-65-203 hereof on the ground either:
(a) That such unauthorized insurer has not done any of the acts enumerated in 23-65-202; or
(b) That the person on whom service was made pursuant to 23-65-203(1) was not doing any of the acts therein enumerated.
(4) Any such insurer shall be subject to the provisions of 23-79-208.