The state Department of Public Safety is authorized, subject to approval by the Governor, to insure its employees in some insurance company or companies authorized to do business in the State of Alabama against personal injury or death caused by accident or violence while discharging their duties as such employees; provided, the amount of insurance to be procured as to any such employee shall not exceed the amount which would be payable to such employee under the workmen’s compensation laws of the State of Alabama if such employee were privately employed; except, that such policy may provide additional benefits not to exceed $10,000.00 per employee for the payment of hospital and medical expenses.

The cost of such insurance shall be paid by the state Department of Public Safety out of any funds appropriated to its use in manner provided by law.