1094                           LAWS OF MARYLAND                      [CH. 553

behalf of the Commissioner to the defendant at the last known prin-
cipal place of business of the defendant, and the defendant's receipt,
or the receipt issued by the post office with which the letter is regis-
tered or certified, showing the name of the sender of the letter, the
name and address of the person to whom the letter is addressed, and
the affidavit of the person mailing the same showing a compliance
herewith, are filed with the Commissioner in the case of any state-
ment of charges or notices, or with the clerk of the court in which
such action is pending in the case of any process, on or before the
date the defendant is required to appear or within such further time
as the court may allow.

(d)   No cease or desist order or judgment by default or a judg-
ment pro confesso under this section shall be entered until the
expiration of thirty days from the date of the filing of the affidavit
of compliance.

(e)   Service of process and notice under the provisions of this
article shall be in addition to all other methods of service provided
by law, and nothing in this Act shall limit or prohibit the right
to serve any statement of charges, notices or process upon any insurer
in any other manner now or hereafter permitted by law.

16. RATES AND RATING ORGANIZATIONS

241.    Purpose of subtitle.

The purpose of this subtitle is to promote the public welfare by
regulating insurance rates to the end that they shall not be excessive,
inadequate or unfairly discriminatory, and to authorize and regulate
cooperative action among insurers in rate making and in other mat-
ters within the scope of this subtitle. Nothing in this subtitle is in-
tended (1) to prohibit or discourage reasonable competition, or (2)
to prohibit, or encourage except to the extent necessary to accomplish
the aforementioned purpose, uniformity in insurance rates, rating
systems, rating plans or practices. This subtitle shall be liberally in-
terpreted to carry into effect the provisions of this section.

242.    Property and Marine Rating.

(a) Scope of section. This section applies to property, marine and
inland marine insurance, on risks located in this State. Inland marine
insurance shall be deemed to include insurance now or hereafter
defined by statute, or by interpretation thereof, or if not so defined
or interpreted, by ruling of the Commissioner, or as established by
general custom of the business, as inland marine insurance.

This section applies to all types of insurers.
This section shall not apply:

(1)   To reinsurance, other than joint reinsurance to the extent
stated in subsection (j) ;

(2)   To insurance of vessels or craft, their cargoes, marine build-
ers' risks, marine protection and indemnity, or other risks commonly
insured under marine, as distinguished from inland marine, insur-
ance policies;

(3)   To insurance of hulls of aircraft, including their accessories
and equipment, or against liability arising out of the ownership,
maintenance, or use of aircraft;