58-29-1. Purpose; construction.
(a) The purpose of this Article is to subject to the jurisdiction of the Commissioner and to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State, insurers not authorized to transact business in this State which place in or send into this State any false advertising designed to induce residents of this State to purchase insurance from insurers not authorized to transact business in this State. The General Assembly declares it is in the interest of the citizens 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 Article. In furtherance of such interest, the General Assembly in this Article provides a method of substituted service of process upon such insurers and declares in so doing, it exercises its power to protect its residents and also exercises powers and privileges available to the State by virtue of Public Law 15, 79th Congress of the United States, Chapter 20, 1st Session, section 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 Article shall be liberally construed. (1965, c. 910; 1991, c. 720, s. 4.)