Section 1551. Imposition of tax

There is hereby imposed on any person who
  purchases or renews a taxable insurance contract  from  an  insurer  not
  authorized  to  transact  business  in this state under a certificate of
  authority from the superintendent of insurance a  tax  at  the  rate  of
  three  and  six-tenths  percent of the premiums paid or to be paid, less
  returns thereon, for such insurance. Nothing in this article modifies or
  abrogates any provision of the insurance law.