17B:33-1. Short title

This chapter shall be known as the Unauthorized Insurers' Process Act.

a. The purpose of this chapter is to subject unauthorized insurers to the jurisdiction of the commissioner and to the courts of this State in suits by or on behalf of insureds or beneficiaries under insurance contracts or when such insurers place or send into this State any advertising designed to induce residents of this State to purchase insurance. It is in the interest of the State and of those residents of this State who purchase insurance from insurers which solicit insurance business in this State in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence that such insurers be subject to the provisions of this chapter and also that those residents who hold policies issued or delivered in this State by unauthorized insurers not be subjected to the obstacle of resorting to distant forums for the purpose of asserting legal rights under any policies. In furtherance of such state interest, there is provided herein a method of substituted service of process upon such insurers which is declared to be in the exercise of a state's power to protect its residents pursuant to the powers and privileges available to the State by virtue of Public Law 15, 79th Congress of the United States, Chapter 20, 1st Session, s. 340, which declares that the business of insurance and every person engaged therein shall be subject to the laws of the several states; the authority provided herein to be in addition to any existing powers of this State.

b. The provisions of this act shall be liberally construed.

L.1971, c. 144, s. 17B:33-1.