Athens City Code

1. (1) Each approved towing company shall maintain insurance covering towing and storage operations at all times. The policy shall be in the name of the towing company or the towing company's owner and shall identify the tow trucks covered.
2. (2) A certificate of insurance shall be filed with the City before placement on the rotation list and upon renewal, policy change, expiration, cancellation, or request by the Police Chief. Certificates must itemize vehicle liability, garage keepers’ liability, and on-hook coverage.
3. (3) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
   1. (a) Vehicle Liability: insurance that pays for damages due to bodily injury and property damage to others for which the towing company is responsible.
   2. (b) Garage Keepers Liability: insurance that protects a garage keeper against liability for damage to vehicles in his/her care, custody, or control.
   3. (c) On-Hook Coverage: insurance that will normally pay to repair or replace a vehicle that the towing company did not own if it is damaged by a collision, fire, theft, explosion, or vandalism while being towed or hauled.

(4) An umbrella policy is acceptable as long as it covers the required categories and provides total coverage equal to or greater than the applicable minimums. Nothing prevents a towing company from obtaining greater coverage.

(5) The towing company assumes responsibility for personal injury, property damage, and loss or damage to vehicles and contents caused by the towing company's intentional, reckless, or negligent acts or omissions from the time the towing company makes contact with a vehicle or takes custody of a vehicle.

(Code 1972, § 5-609; Code 1995, § 9-509; Ord. No. 1083, § 7, 10-15-2019)