Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 33. INSURANCE AND INSURANCE COMPANIES

CHAPTER 1. ADMINISTRATION AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

Part 6. Service of Process

Defense Of Action By Unauthorized Insurer

33-1-615. Defense of action by unauthorized insurer. (1) Before an unauthorized insurer shall file or cause to be filed any pleading in any action or proceeding instituted against it under 33-1-612 and 33-1-613, 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 33-1-613 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) above and to defend such action.

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) above 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 33-1-613 hereof, on the ground either:

(a) that such unauthorized insurer has not done any of the acts enumerated in 33-1-612; or

(b) that the person on whom service was made pursuant to 33-1-613(2) was not doing any of the acts therein enumerated.

History: En. Sec. 182, Ch. 286, L. 1959; R.C.M. 1947, 40-3407.