Lakewood : Ambulance Insurance

Adams Ambulance Service Inc., a South Gate company which has operated in Lakewood since 1983, will not have its $1-million liability insurance policy renewed July 1, the City Council was told.

The company, which contracts with 18 other cities in the county, can’t find insurance to meet Lakewood’s $1-million coverage requirement, said Mayor Robert Wagner, who called the situation “a real crisis.”

Adams’ carrier, National Union Fire Insurance, will not provide liability insurance for public entities after June 30, Adams President Jerel Jorgensen said. No other carrier will name Lakewood as co-insured on a $1-million policy, he said, and the maximum coverage that Adams can obtain is $500,000. Ambulance companies statewide are faced with the $500,000 limit, so Lakewood will likely have to lower its liability limit accordingly.

Jorgensen requested that the city reduce its liability limit to $500,000, and the council decided to discuss that possibility with City Atty. John Todd.