§1909.  Requirements to be met before using courts

A.  Before any unauthorized insurer shall file or cause to be filed any pleading in any action, suit, or proceeding instituted against it, such unauthorized insurer shall either (1) file with the clerk of the court in which such action, suit, or proceeding is pending 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; or (2) procure a certificate of authority to transact the business of insurance in this state.  An insurer that has been placed by the Department of Insurance on the list of approved unauthorized insurers, and which maintains an A.M. Best rating of B or better or its equivalent, is exempt from the requirements of this Subsection.  The commissioner shall determine the equivalent standard for insurers rated by recognized rating organizations other than A.M. Best.

B.  The court in any action, suit, or proceeding in which service is made in the manner provided in R.S. 22:1907(B) or (C) may order such postponement as may be necessary to afford the defendant reasonable opportunity to comply with the provisions of Subsection A of this Section and to defend such action.

C.  Nothing in Subsection A of this Section is to be construed to prevent an unauthorized insurer from filing a motion to quash a writ or to set aside service thereof made in the manner provided in R.S. 22:1907 (B) or (C) on the ground: (1) that no policy or contract of insurance has been issued or delivered to a citizen or resident of this state or to a corporation authorized to do business therein; (2) that such insurer has not been transacting business in this state; or (3) that the person on whom service was made pursuant to R.S. 22:1907(C) was not doing any of the acts therein enumerated.

Acts 1958, No. 125; Acts 2003, No. 994, §1, eff. July 2, 2003; Redesignated from R.S. 22:1255 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2012, No. 271, §1.

NOTE:  Former R.S. 22:1909 redesignated as R.S. 22:390 by Acts 2008, No. 415, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.