(a) The city manager shall not issue a taxicab operator’s permit until the applicant has filed with the director proof of the automobile liability insurance required by this subsection for each taxicab to be operated pursuant to the operator’s taxicab service.
(b) Every taxicab operator shall obtain and maintain in full force and effect separate commercial automobile liability insurance for each vehicle proposed to be operated in connection with his or her taxicab service meeting the following requirements:
(1) The policy insurer must be either a carrier licensed by the state of California to sell commercial automobile liability in the state of California and be a member of the California Insurance Guarantee Fund, or maintain an AM Best rating of “A” or better (with proof of said licensing or rating to be provided by applicant);
(2) The policy shall be written with policy limits of (1) not less than one million dollars combined single limit per occurrence or (2) not less than five hundred thousand dollars per person, five hundred thousand dollars per accident, and three hundred thousand dollars for property damage;
(3) The policy shall be primary and not contributing to any other insurance maintained by the city;
(4) The policy shall name the city of La Puente, its city council, and its officers, agents and employees as additional insureds;
(5) The policy may include a property damage deductible or self-insured retention not greater than five thousand dollars per occurrence. Self-insured retention in excess of five thousand dollars may be acceptable upon satisfaction of the city’s financial requirements including proof of ability to pay claims inside the self-insured retention per vehicle;
(6) The policy shall provide the director with thirty days’ prior notice of any cancellation or modification of the policy; and
(7) A certificate of insurance shall be attached to every application for a taxicab vehicle permit submitted by the taxicab operator.
(c) Every taxicab operator with a permit issued pursuant to this article shall be required to sign an indemnification statement indemnifying the city of La Puente.
(d) Any taxicab operator who fails to have in effect or to maintain the required automobile insurance coverage and who continues to allow taxicab operation shall have his or her permit suspended for a period not to exceed fifteen days pending revocation proceedings pursuant to Section 5.48.120 of this chapter.
(Ord. 788 § 28 (part), 1999)