1564                             Laws of Maryland                       [Ch. 836

(8) Such information as is known to him with regard to liability
insurance in effect with respect to the motor vehicles involved in the
accident, and

(4) A copy of the complaint if an action has theretofore been
brought for the enforcement of such claim. Such person shall also
notify the board of any action thereafter instituted for the enforce-
ment of such claim within 15 days after the institution thereof, and
such notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the complaint. The
board shall be authorized to extend the period of filing any of the
documents to accompany the said notice upon proper cause.

(b) The commissioner is hereby authorized and empowered, the
provisions of any other law relating to the confidential nature of any
reports or information furnished to or filed with the Department of
Motor Vehicles notwithstanding, to furnish to the board upon its
request, for such use, utilization and purposes as the board may deem
reasonably appropriate to administer this sub-title and discharge its
functions hereunder, any reports or information filed by any person
or persons claiming benefits under the provisions of this sub-title,
that the commissioner has with regard to any accident, any operator
or owner of a motor vehicle involved in any accident, and as to any
automobile or motor vehicle liability insurance or bond carried by
any operator or owner of any motor vehicle.

145F. Investigation and defense of claims.

(a) The board shall assign to insurers for investigation and de-
fense, all default actions described in section 145N and all actions
against the commissioner brought under section 145R.

(b)  Any time after the receipt of notice of intention to make a
claim as provided in section 145E, the board may also assign such
of said claims as in the judgment of the board it is advisable to
investigate, to insurers for the purpose of making such investigation.
At any time after receipt of notice of the institution of any action
against the operator or owner of a motor vehicle as provided in
section 145E, the board may also assign such of said actions as in
its judgment it is advisable to defend, to insurers for the purpose
of conducting such defense.

(c)  All assignments made under this section shall be made to
insurers in proportion to their premium writings subject to assess-
ment hereunder. Each insurer shall at its own expense (1) make
such investigation as may be appropriate of any claim or action and
(2) cause to be conducted on behalf of the fund the defense of any
action assigned to it.

(d)  After consultation with insurers the commissioner of in-
surance shall approve a reasonable plan for such equitable apportion-
ment among such insurers of claims against operators and owners
of motor vehicles, for investigations and defense, in accordance with
this sub-title. When any such plan has been so approved all insurers
shall subscribe thereto and participate therein.

145G. Defense of actions against motorists.

The insurer to whom any action has been assigned may through
counsel enter an appearance on behalf of the defendant, file a defense,
appear at the trial or take such other steps as it may deem ap-