This subtitle applies to all kinds of direct insurance, except:

• life insurance;
• health insurance;
• mortgage guaranty insurance;
• annuities;
• insurance written on a surplus lines basis under Title 3, Subtitle 3 of this article;
• insurance written by a risk retention group; and
• insurance written by an unauthorized insurer.
  (Ann. Code 1957, Art. 48A, § 504; 1996, ch. 11.)