Best Western Plus near Pocono Outlets allegedly missed first payment 13 days after signing financing agreement

By Pocono Review Staff

TANNERSVILLE, MONROE COUNTY — The company that operates the Best Western Plus Poconos Hotel on Route 715 is being sued after allegedly defaulting on a $109,000 insurance financing deal—a default that triggered the cancellation of the property’s commercial coverage four days before Christmas Eve last year.

IPFS Corporation, a national insurance premium lender based in Kansas, filed the complaint December 4 in Monroe County Court of Common Pleas. The company is seeking $17,340.85 in damages.

Premier Lodge Inc. is the defendant. State corporate records list the company at 2647 Route 715 in Tannersville—the address of the Best Western Plus Poconos Hotel, located near the Pocono Premium Outlets and a short drive from Camelback, Kalahari, and Great Wolf Lodge.

The Financing Deal

Hotels carry substantial insurance: property coverage, general liability, excess liability policies layered on top. Premiums on commercial properties can run into six figures annually.

Rather than pay upfront, many businesses finance their insurance premiums the same way consumers finance cars—monthly payments with interest.

That’s what Premier Lodge did. On November 7, 2024, the company signed an Insurance Premium Finance Agreement with IPFS to cover $109,598.82 in commercial insurance premiums. The annual interest rate was 10.60%.

Premier Lodge put down $9,963.09 and agreed to pay off the balance in 11 monthly installments of $10,499.34.

The policies covered the hotel’s core risks:

• Property coverage through Gotham Insurance: $35,800
• General liability through Cumis Insurance: $25,500
• Excess liability through Lexington Insurance: $34,704
• Excess liability through Starstone National: $12,019
• Excess liability through Capitol Indemnity: $5,993

As collateral, Premier Lodge gave IPFS a security interest in the policies themselves—plus an irrevocable Power of Attorney allowing the lender to cancel coverage if payments stopped.

13 Days Later

The first installment came due November 20, 2024. Premier Lodge didn’t pay, according to the complaint.

That was 13 days after signing.

IPFS declared default on November 25 and sent a Notice of Intent to Cancel. When Premier Lodge failed to cure within 18 days, IPFS exercised its Power of Attorney.

On December 16, 2024, the lender mailed cancellation notices to Premier Lodge and all five insurance carriers. The policies terminated December 19—four days before Christmas Eve, right as ski season was ramping up at nearby Camelback.

The Math

IPFS says it’s owed $17,340.85:

• Unpaid principal: $8,713.46
• Finance charges: $3,724.50
• Additional daily charges: $79.71
• Late fees: $487.97
• Attorney’s fees: $4,335.21

Court exhibits show the original balance was over $88,000 after default. But between February and September 2025, roughly $75,000 in return premiums were credited back to the account after the cancelled policies were unwound—leaving the current balance around $12,925 before fees and interest.

The complaint alleges breach of contract, account stated, and unjust enrichment. IPFS is represented by William R. Murphy III of Norris McLaughlin in Allentown.

What’s Unknown

The lawsuit doesn’t explain why Premier Lodge missed its very first payment less than two weeks after signing a $109,000 financing agreement. That timing raises questions about the company’s financial position when it entered the deal.

It’s also unclear whether the hotel currently has insurance. The December 2024 cancellations would have left the property without liability or property coverage heading into the busiest season of the year. Whether Premier Lodge secured replacement policies isn’t addressed in court filings.

The Best Western Plus Poconos Hotel markets itself to tourists visiting Camelback and business travelers working at Tobyhanna Army Depot or Sanofi Pasteur. The hotel appears to still be operating—it’s currently taking reservations online.

Premier Lodge Inc. did not respond to a request for comment. The company has 20 days from service to respond to the lawsuit or risk default judgment.

Case Information

Case: IPFS Corporation v. Premier Lodge Inc.

Court: Monroe County Court of Common Pleas

Filed: December 4, 2025

Plaintiff: IPFS Corporation (represented by William R. Murphy III, Norris McLaughlin, P.A., Allentown)

Defendant: Premier Lodge Inc., 2647 Route 715, Tannersville

Damages Sought: $17,340.85 plus accruing charges

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