§ 33-5-57 - Conditions precedent to filing of pleadings by insurer generally; granting of postponements; filing by insurer of motion to quash writ or set aside service - Georgia Statutes

O.C.G.A. 33-5-57 (2010)
33-5-57. Conditions precedent to filing of pleadings by insurer generally; granting of postponements; filing by insurer of motion to quash writ or set aside service

(a) Before any unauthorized insurer shall file or cause to be filed any pleadings in any action or proceeding instituted against it, such unauthorized insurer shall either:

(1) Deposit with the clerk of the court in which such action or proceeding is pending cash or securities or file with the 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 the action; provided, however, the court may in its discretion make an order dispensing with the 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 the action or proceeding; or

(2) Procure a certificate of authority to transact the business of insurance in this state.

(b) The court in any action or proceeding in which service is made in the manner provided in Code Section 33-5-53 or 33-5-54, in its discretion, may order any postponement as may be necessary to afford the defendant reasonable opportunity to comply with subsection (a) of this Code section and to defend the action.

(c) Nothing in subsection (a) of this Code section is to be construed to prevent an unauthorized insurer from filing a motion to quash a writ or to set aside service of such writ made in the manner provided in Code Section 33-5-53 or 33-5-54 on one or more of the following grounds:

(1) That such unauthorized insurer has not done any of the acts enumerated in Code Section 33-5-52;

(2) That the person on whom service was made pursuant to Code Section 33-5-54 was not doing any of the acts therein enumerated; or

(3) That it is otherwise not properly subject to the jurisdiction of court pursuant to this article.