(a) When the commissioner has been appointed or constituted attorney for a foreign or alien insurance company, either by power of attorney or by failure to comply with § 56-2-503, any lawful process against or notice to the company in any action or proceeding against it from any cause of action arising in the state may be served on the commissioner, and filing the power of attorney or doing business in the state shall be a signification of its agreement that the process or notice served shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served upon it in the state. In case of any action or proceeding instituted by or on behalf of the commissioner against or with reference to the company, process may be lawfully served on the secretary of state.
(b) Service of process shall be made by leaving two (2) copies of the process or notice, together with a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00), in the office of the commissioner, together with an affidavit giving the last known address of the defendant, and the service shall be sufficient if notice of the service, and a copy of the process or notice are forthwith sent by registered mail, with return receipt requested, or certified mail by the commissioner to the company at the last known address. An affidavit of the commissioner showing compliance with this subsection (b) shall be filed with the paper in the action or proceeding.
(c) The court in which the action or proceeding is pending may order continuances necessary to afford the defendant reasonable opportunity to defend the action. No judgment shall be entered against the defendant under this section until at least thirty (30) days have elapsed after process or notice has been served on the commissioner.
(d) The references in this section to the commissioner shall, in the case of any action or proceeding instituted by or on behalf of the commissioner, be deemed to refer to the secretary of state, and the duties and responsibilities imposed by this section shall, in such cases, be performed and discharged by the secretary of state.
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