This article shall apply to all insurance companies, foreign and domestic, including mutual benefit associations licensed pursuant to Article 24, limited stock life, accident and health insurers licensed pursuant to Article 25, reciprocal inter-insurance exchanges licensed pursuant to Article 29, and Lloyd's insurers licensed pursuant to Article 30, hereinafter referred to in this article as “the insurer” or “insurer,” issuing policies of insurance against loss or expense from sickness, or from bodily injury or death by accident.