17B:33-1 - Short title - New Jersey Statutes

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.