Published February 25, 2007 12:00 am - ASHTABULA - - Just because a taxicab arrives at a neighbor's door to take her to the supermarket doesn't mean the company is operating with the city's ...
City manager: Taxi firm operates with no insurance
SHELLEY TERRY
Star Beacon
ASHTABULA - - Just because a taxicab arrives at a neighbor's door to take her to the supermarket doesn't mean the company is operating with the city's blessing - - which could leave the passenger unprotected in the event of an accident.
City Taxicab and Transfer Co., of 1753 W. Prospect Road, is operating without proof of insurance and, therefore, without a city license, City Manager Anthony Cantagallo said.
According to city ordinance, a taxicab service operating within city limits must file proper evidence of insurance coverage, which includes a copy of the policy, showing the company has obtained proper insurance from an insurance company permitted to do business in Ohio.
The insurance contract also must guarantee the payment of any judgment against the taxicab operator or a driver of a taxicab up to $500,000 per person in a claim or $1 million for any accident to cover any liability for injuries or death occurring from the negligent operation of a taxicab.
City Taxicab owner Tony Angelo denied there was any problem with his insurance and/ or city operating license.
"It's just (a competitor) making trouble for me," he said.
Cantagallo believes differently. He said the cab company is operating without insurance and, therefore, without a valid city license.
"If they have a (traffic) accident, someone is up the creek," he said. "They have no business picking up anybody."
Complaints about uninsured City Taxicab vehicles are nothing new, said Brenda Sanders, the city manager's executive assistant.
"We go through this every year," she said. "We're always chasing them down."
City Council passed the ordinance regulating taxicabs operating in the city on July 6, 2004.
- - SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer
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