KRS 304.3-230: Service of process on insurers -- Secretary of State as attorney for service

of process.

(1) Upon issuance of a certificate of authority to do business in this state, the following

shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as their attorney to receive

service of lawful process issued against them in this state:

(a) Foreign or alien insurers;

(b) Domestic reciprocal insurers;

(c) Domestic Lloyd's insurers;

(d) Qualified self-insurers.

(2) Such appointment shall be irrevocable, shall b ind any successor in interest or to the

assets or liabilities of the insurer, and shall remain in effect as long as there is in

force in this state or elsewhere a contract that would give rise to a cause of action in

this state, made by the insurer, or liabilities or duties arising therefrom.

(3) Service of lawful process against unauthorized insurers, except in contracts issued

by insurers or underwriters to those insureds specified in KRS 304.11 -020, shall be

made upon the Secretary of State, as provided in KRS 304.11-040.

(4) Service of lawful process against authorized domestic insurers shall be had pursuant

to KRS 14A.4-040.

(5) If the Secretary of State is by law the lawful attorney for service of process, the

clerk of the court in which action is brou ght shall issue a summons against the

defendant named in the complaint and shall serve by certified mail, return receipt

requested, two (2) true copies of the summons with two (2) attested copies of

plaintiff's complaint to the Secretary of State. The Secr etary of State shall

immediately mail a copy of the summons and complaint to the defendant; if an

authorized insurer, to the person designated pursuant to subsection (7) of KRS

304.3-150, and if an unauthorized insurer to the last known principal place of

business. The letter shall be posted by prepaid certified mail, return receipt

requested, and shall bear the return address of the Secretary of State. The Secretary

of State shall make a return to the court showing that the acts contemplated by this

statute have been performed, and shall attach to his return the registry receipt, if

any. Summons shall be deemed to be served on the return of the Secretary of State

and the action shall proceed as provided in the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure.

(6) The Secretary of State shall keep a record of the date and hour of receipt of such

lawful process, as well as the date it is forwarded to the defendant.

(7) For the purpose of this section, "lawful process" shall include only the summons

which initiates and commen ces a cause of action, and such other initial notices,

rules, or orders which would be required by the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure

to be by personal service.

(8) The sheriff serving the summons upon the Secretary of State shall pay to him at the

time of service a fee in the amount set forth in KRS 454.210, which shall be taxed

as costs in the action.