(2) Service of process in such action shall be made by delivering to and leaving with the Secretary of State, or one of the assistants, two copies of the document served and by payment to the Secretary of State of the fee prescribed by law. Service upon the Secretary of State shall be service upon the principal.
(3) The Secretary of State shall forward by certified mail one of the copies of such process or such notice, order, pleading, or process in proceedings before the director to the defendant in such court proceeding or to whom the notice, order, pleading, or process in such administrative proceeding is addressed or directed at its last-known principal place of business and shall keep a record of all process so served on the defendant. Such record shall show the day and hour of service. Service is sufficient, provided:
(a) Notice of service and a copy of the court process or the notice, order, pleading, or process in the administrative proceeding are sent within 10 days thereafter by certified mail by the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney in the court proceeding or by the director in the administrative proceeding to the defendant at the last-known principal place of business of the defendant.
(b) The defendant’s receipt or receipts issued by the post office with which the letter is certified or registered, showing the name of the sender of the letter and the name and address of the person or insurer to whom the letter is addressed, and an affidavit of the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney in court proceeding or of the director in administrative proceeding, showing compliance therewith are filed with the clerk of the court in which such action is pending or with the director in administrative proceedings, on or before the date the defendant in the court or administrative proceeding is required to appear or respond thereto, or within such further time as the court or director may allow.
(4) No plaintiff shall be entitled to a judgment or a determination by default in any court or administrative proceeding in which court process or notice, order, pleading, or process in proceedings before the director is served under this section until the expiration of 45 days after the date of filing of the affidavit of compliance.
(5) Nothing in this section shall limit or affect the right to serve any process, notice, order, or demand upon any person or insurer in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law. [1969 c.336 §3]