Insurance company sued by local hotel over alleged non-payment for Hurricane Isaac damage

GRETNA – The owner of a local hotel is suing its insurer for allegedly not paying for damages caused by a hurricane.

Express Hospitality LLC filed suit against Arch Specialty Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court on April 16.

Express Hospitality owns the Quality Inn and Suites located at 100 Westbank Expressway in Gretna, which was extensively damaged by high winds and rain during Hurricane Isaac in August 2012, the suit claims. The plaintiff claims that the hotel was covered by a property insurance policy issued by Arch Specialty Insurance Company. Express Hospitality asserts that the claims adjuster employed by the defendants indicated the damage was caused by wind-driven rain and was thus excluded from the insurance policy leading them to deny a claim.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for cost of repairing the damage caused by the hurricane and loss of use of property.

Express Hospitality is represented by attorney Matthew P. Chenevert of New Orleans.

The case has been assigned to Division H Judge Glenn B. Ansardi.

Case no. 737-536.