Comprehensive Taxi Insurance Refused

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30190, 23 July 1963, Page 17

Comprehensive Taxi Insurance Refused

Insurance companies in Auckland are refusing comprehensive insurance on taxis. Mr F. I. Drumm, manager of the Auekllaind Co-operaitive Taxi Society, saiid today he would not be surprised if licensees who were mot prepared to take the risk of running without insurance applied to the Licensing Authority for permission to suspend activities.

Mr A. Sinclair, secretary of the society and president of the Taxi Proprietors’ Federation said it was a New Zealand problem but was more acute in Auckland. The subject would be before the federation’s annual conference Rotorua early in September, he said. Officials of the society said that where taxi insurance was being accepted it was generally found that the licensee was known personally to the manager. The attitude of insurance companies would stop finance institutions from lending money for buying taxis as tine cabs might not be able to get insurance.

“We are a public utility ano licensed so something has to be done.” on official said. Drivers who have insurances renewed said premiums had increased by

more than 60 per oenit. Owners of several cabs have had their premiums raised by 50 per cenit. because they employed drivers. 1 Licensees claimed renewal of their policies bad been offered provided they gave the company all their other insurance business—house and contents, personal accident, etc.