Hanover Insurance Co. v. Alamo Motel

REYNOLDSON, Justice.

In this appeal, as a matter of first impression, we are required to interpret Iowa’s statutes limiting the ancient law of innkeeper liability.

November 5,1974, jewelry valued at $89,-628 was stolen from a room in Alamo Motel, Coralville, which had been rented to a jewelry company’s sales agent. Plaintiff insurance carrier paid the jewelry company $50,-000 and became subrogated in that amount to the insured’s claims.

October 6, 1975, plaintiff filed petition against the motel corporation, its owners and operators who are hereafter collectively referred to as “defendant.”…