(a) The purpose of this article is to protect and to further the interests of insureds, creditors, and the general public. This objective will be met by the establishment of:

(1) Prudent standards by which an insurer shall develop its investment policy and investment portfolio;

(2) A minimum financial security benchmark and a minimum asset requirement, each of which shall be supported by classes of investments and, as applicable, noninvested assets, described in this article;

(3) A level of investment discretion whereby the regulation of an insurer's investment practices has minimum interference with management initiative and judgment; and

(4) A prescribed process for actions by the Commissioner to address situations where an insurer's investment policy or investment portfolio is not prudent under prevailing circumstances.

(b) This article and the regulations adopted to interpret and implement it shall apply only to domestic life, accident and sickness, property, and casualty insurers licensed pursuant to Code Section 33-3-2 to transact the classes of business described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of Code Section 33-3-5 and United States branches of similar alien insurers entered through this state if such entry is otherwise permitted by law.

(c) Separate accounts established in accordance with Code Sections 33-11-65 through 33-11-67 shall be governed pursuant to those Code sections.