Any insurer desiring to transact any business under this chapter, by any surplus lines producer in this state, shall appoint in writing the commissioner as its true and lawful attorney, upon whom legal process in any action or proceeding against it must be served, and in the writing, shall agree that any legal process against it, which is served upon the attorney, is of the same legal force and validity as if served upon the insurer, and that the authority continues in force so long as any liability remains outstanding in this state. Copies of the appointment certified by the commissioner are sufficient evidence thereof and must be admitted in evidence with the same force and effect as the original. Legal process may not be served upon the insurer except as provided by this section. In any suit on a policy on behalf of the owner or holder of the policy, the service of process must be made as provided by this section, but the action must be prosecuted in the county of the policyholder’s residence.