Upon approval of the director of the office of management and budget, an entity of the state may participate in a government self-insurance pool or may purchase insurance against liability of the entity and its employees for damages resulting from claims under this chapter. The director shall limit participation in government self-insurance pools and, except as provided in this section, the purchase of insurance to exposures determined to cause an excessive financial risk to the state risk management fund, including exposures reasonably expected to deplete the fund and have a significant detrimental impact on the state’s budget. The director shall develop a state self-retention program that provides as much coverage as possible of potential liability recognized by this chapter, but that includes insurance purchases in a manner that is determined appropriate by the director in consultation with the state risk manager. The insurance may be provided by an insurance company authorized to do business in this state which the insurance commissioner has determined to be responsible and financially sound, considering the extent of the coverage required, or coverage may be provided by a government self-insurance pool. If a premium savings will result and the director of the office of management and budget approves, the insurance policy or memorandum of coverage may be in force from one through three years from the date of issue. The director may procure an excess loss reinsurance contract for the state.