Alabama § 27-10-52 - Service of Process Upon Insurer; Judgment by Default.

§ 27-10-52. Service of Process Upon Insurer; Judgment by Default.

(a) Service of process upon an insurer pursuant to Section 27-10-51 shall be made by delivering to, and leaving with, the commissioner, or some person in apparent charge of his office, two copies thereof and the payment to him of such fees as may be prescribed by law. The commissioner shall forthwith mail by registered mail one of the copies of the process to the defendant at its last known principal place of business and shall keep a record of all process so served upon him. Such service of process is sufficient, provided notice of the service and a copy of the process are sent promptly after such service by the commissioner by registered mail to the defendant at its last known principal place of business and the defendant’s receipt, or receipt issued by the post office with which the letter is registered, showing the name of the sender of the letter and the name and address of the person to whom the letter is addressed, and the certificate of the commissioner showing a compliance herewith are filed with the clerk or register of the court in which such action is pending on, or before, the date the defendant is required to appear, or within such further time as the court may allow.

(b) Service of process in any such action or proceeding shall in addition to the manner provided in subsection (a) of this section, be valid if served in the manner provided by law upon any person within this state, who, in this state on behalf of such insurer, is:

(1) Soliciting insurance;

(2) Making, issuing, or delivering any contract of insurance; or

(3) Collecting or receiving any premium, membership fee, assessment, or other consideration for insurance; and a copy of such process is sent within 10 days thereafter by registered mail by the clerk or register of the court in which the action or proceeding is pending to the defendant at the last known principal place of business of the defendant, and the defendant’s receipt, or the receipt issued by the post office with which the letter is registered, showing the name of the sender of the letter and the name and address of the person to whom the letter is addressed, are filed with the clerk or register of the court in which the action is pending on, or before, the date the defendant is required to appear, or within such further time as the court may allow.

(c) No plaintiff or complainant shall be entitled to a judgment by default under this section until the expiration of 30 days from date of the completion of service as provided in this section.

(d) Nothing in this section shall limit or abridge the right to serve any process, notice, or demand upon any insurer in any other manner, now or hereafter, permitted by law.