A. No registration or permit shall be issued by the Department to any contract carrier by aircraft until and after such contract carrier has filed with the Department an insurance policy, a bond underwritten by an insurer, or certificate of insurance in lieu thereof, which certificate shall certify that such policy or bond covers the liability of such contract carrier in accordance with the provisions of this statute.
B. Such policy, bond or certificate of insurance shall be issued or underwritten only by an insurer approved or authorized to do business in Virginia, or by one who is eligible as a surplus lines insurer pursuant to Chapter 48 (§ 38.2-4805.1 et seq.) of Title 38.2, and shall be in amounts not less than the following minimum limits: liability for bodily injury to or death of any one person, passenger or other, aboard the aircraft; $75,000, liability for each occurrence in any one aircraft of at least an amount equal to the sum produced by multiplying $75,000 by seventy-five percent of the total number of passenger seats installed in the aircraft; and liability for loss or damage to cargo owned by others than the insured of at least $10,000 for each occurrence. However, the holder of a registration or permit issued by the Department shall not be required to file any cargo insurance, bond, or bonds for cargo liability for the hauling of property transported under contract.
C. In no event shall the limits required herein for contract carriers be less than those prescribed for like carriers by the Civil Aeronautics Board or the Federal Aviation Administration or their successors.
D. In lieu of such policy, underwritten bond or certificate of insurance, a contract carrier may, with the consent of the Department, submit bonds, in an amount approved by the Department, of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or of any municipality of this Commonwealth as security for its bond. Such federal, state, or municipal bonds shall be deposited with the State Treasurer, and shall not be reduced in amount, pledged as security, or otherwise encumbered for any other purpose during the life of such registration or permit, except with the prior written approval of the Department.
1980, c. 721; 2017, c. 793.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 1 - Aircraft, Airmen and Airports Generally
§ 5.1-1. (Effective until July 1, 2025) Definitions
§ 5.1-1. (Effective July 1, 2025) Definitions
§ 5.1-1.1. Creation of Department of Aviation
§ 5.1-1.2. Appointment of Director; term; vacancies
§ 5.1-1.3. Oath and bond of Director; salary
§ 5.1-1.4. Enforcement of laws, rules and regulations
§ 5.1-1.5. General powers of Department
§ 5.1-1.7. Suits to enjoin violations of title
§ 5.1-2.2. Powers and duties of Board
§ 5.1-2.2:1. Further powers and duties of the Board
§ 5.1-2.2:2. Commercial air service plan
§ 5.1-2.2:3. Transparency and accountability in the use of Commonwealth Aviation Fund revenues
§ 5.1-2.2:4. Transparency and accountability for use of Department and Board funds
§ 5.1-2.3. Meetings of Board; quorum
§ 5.1-2.5. Eminent domain; right of entry
§ 5.1-2.6. Disposal of airport, air navigation facility or other property
§ 5.1-2.7. Revenue bonds generally
§ 5.1-2.8. Trust agreement securing bonds
§ 5.1-2.10. Moneys received deemed trust funds
§ 5.1-2.11. Proceedings by bondholder or trustee to enforce rights
§ 5.1-2.12. Bonds made securities for investment and deposit
§ 5.1-2.13. Revenue refunding bonds; bonds for refunding and for cost of additional projects
§ 5.1-2.14. Contracts, leases, and other arrangements
§ 5.1-2.15. Resolutions, rules and regulations, etc.
§ 5.1-2.16. Grants or loans of public or private funds
§ 5.1-2.17. Exemptions from taxes or assessments; payments to county or city in lieu of taxes
§ 5.1-2.18. Joint agency or authority; agreements authorized; terms
§ 5.1-2.19. Same; governing body; officers and agents; powers generally
§ 5.1-2.20. Same; eminent domain
§ 5.1-2.21. Same; disposal of airport or facility
§ 5.1-2.22. Acquisition of airport previously operated by United States
§ 5.1-2.23. Board as successor to Virginia Airports Authority
§ 5.1-2.24. Applicability of certain sections
§ 5.1-4. Aircraft for use of Department; construction, etc., of aviation facilities by Department
§ 5.1-5. Registration of aircraft
§ 5.1-7. Licensing of airports and landing areas
§ 5.1-7.2. Registration of private landing areas not within five miles of commercial airport
§ 5.1-7.3. Duty of care and liability for damages of owners of private landing areas
§ 5.1-9.2. Contract carriers; permit and registration required
§ 5.1-9.3. Same; application for permit; fee; action of Department
§ 5.1-9.6. Same; duration and custody of bonds, etc.
§ 5.1-9.7. Same; condition of bond, etc.
§ 5.1-9.8. Same; effect of failure to give or maintain adequate security
§ 5.1-9.9. Same; duration of permits; suspension or revocation; penalty
§ 5.1-11. Government-owned aircraft
§ 5.1-12. Federally certificated airlines and interstate service
§ 5.1-14. Operation of unregistered aircraft
§ 5.1-15. Operation of aircraft by unlicensed persons
§ 5.1-16.1. Misuse of licensed airports
§ 5.1-17. Use of aircraft for hunting
§ 5.1-21. Powers of conservator of the peace conferred upon pilot
§ 5.1-21.1. Powers of conservators of the peace conferred upon airport managers or designees
§ 5.1-22. Interference with operation of aircraft; penalties; venue
§ 5.1-23. Jurisdiction of local and State Police
§ 5.1-25. Operation of aircraft by nonresident
§ 5.1-25.1. Permit required for erection of certain structures
§ 5.1-25.2. Application for permit; notice and hearing
§ 5.1-25.3. When permit issued or denied; conditions to issuance