(a) Offense defined.--A person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree if he publishes or prints in any newspaper, magazine, periodical, circular, letter, pamphlet, or in any other manner, or publishes by radio or television broadcasting, any advertisement or other notice, either directly or indirectly, setting forth the advantages of, or soliciting business for, any insurance company, association, society, exchange or person which has not been authorized to do business in this Commonwealth, or accepts for publication or printing in any newspaper, magazine or other periodical, or for radio or television broadcasting, any advertisement or other notice, either directly or indirectly, setting forth the advantages of or soliciting business for any insurance company, association, exchange or person, unless such newspaper, magazine or other periodical, or the radio or television broadcasting company has in its possession a true and attested or photostatic copy of a certificate of authority from the Insurance Department to the effect that the insurance company, association, society, exchange or person named therein is authorized to do business in this Commonwealth.

(b) Issue of certificate.--Such certificates shall be issued by the Insurance Department to any person applying therefor.