§ 31-608. Insurance requirements.

(a)

No for-hire motor vehicle shall be permitted to operate without the license holder having first obtained and filed with the RER a certificate of insurance on forms provided by the RER for each for-hire motor vehicle showing the federal vehicle identification number, a vehicle description, and the for-hire license number, and shall list the for-hire license holder, each chauffeur the license holder allows to operate the vehicle, and the owner of the vehicle as insureds under an automobile liability insurance policy with limits of liability no less than those required by applicable State law. Additionally, the certificate of insurance shall specify coverage for complete 24-hour vehicle operations for all drivers regardless of where operated or whether engaged in for-hire operations, and shall state the limits of automobile liability and property damage coverage. In addition to the requirements contained elsewhere in this section, all limousine license holders shall provide supplemental insurance for each chauffeur or certified driver as follows: the insurance limits that apply to a limousine after a ride is prearranged until the last requesting rider exits the vehicle shall be at least $125,000 per person for death or bodily injury; $250,000 per incident for death or bodily injury; and $50,000 per incident for property damage; or a combined single limit of $300,000 per incident for death, bodily injury, and property damage. All supplemental insurance policies shall be issued by companies authorized to do business under the laws of the State of Florida or by companies that meet the requirements of Section 626.913-626.937 of the Florida Statutes, with the following qualifications. The company must be rated no less than "A-" as to management, and no less than "Class VII" as to financial strength, by the A.M. Best Company, Oldwick, New Jersey, or its equivalent subject to the approval of the County Risk Management Division. Failure to provide current certificates of insurance showing compliance with all insurance requirements in this section or to maintain appropriate insurance coverage for each for-hire vehicle shall be grounds for revocation of the for-hire license.

(b)

Scope of Insurance. The insurance required in this section shall be issued by an insurer that is a member of the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association. Insurance coverage shall be for a policy term of at least six (6) months. Nothing in this insurance policy or declaration shall permit binders, deductibles, self insurance, or any provision requiring the insured to reimburse the insurance company for claims.

(c)

Each automobile liability insurance policy shall be endorsed to provide for thirty (30) days' notice by registered mail to the RER or any material change, cancellation, or expiration. No policy will be accepted for a shorter period than six (6) months.

(d)

Unless an operator furnishes the RER with satisfactory evidence of the required insurance coverage prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) days' notice specified in subsection (c) of this section, or upon a third notice of cancellation within twelve (12) months, the for-hire license shall be suspended forthwith by the Director and surrendered to the RER pending a hearing to determine whether said for-hire license should be revoked. This automatic suspension requirement will not pertain to a for-hire motor vehicle when its insurer withdraws from Florida and cancels its policies, or when the policy is canceled through no fault of the operator.

(e)

Examination of Insurance Policy. The RER reserves the right to require submission of a certified copy of or to examine the original policies of insurance including but not limited to endorsements, amendments, exclusions, riders, any additional contracts between the insured and the insurer and applications to confirm the existence of the required insured coverage.

(Ord. No. 00-139, § 1, 11-14-00; Ord. No. 16-44, § 1, 5-3-16)