This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1940. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could fund a cleanup — and recover costs already spent.

Why Historical Insurance Policies May Be Accessible

Pre-1986 Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies were occurrence-based and did not contain an effective pollution exclusion in Washington. If contamination occurred while those policies were active, those historical insurance carriers may still have a legal obligation to fund the cleanup costs, even if the business closed or the property changed hands.

The petroleum, metals, and wood waste contamination documented at this property originated from mill operations conducted over three to four decades before 1986 — the era when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies were the industry standard and carried no effective pollution exclusion in Washington. The remediation scope already undertaken — thousands of cubic yards of contaminated soil removed, groundwater monitoring programs, and institutional controls — represents documented expenditures tied directly to those pre-1986 operations. Historical carriers who issued CGL policies to the mill operators during that window may be obligated to recover past cleanup costs, with ongoing remediation creating continued exposure for future recovery as well.

Restorical's role is to locate viable historical policies, determine whether a successful coverage claim is possible, and assist our clients and their legal counsel to obtain insurance coverage. Restorical then manages the claim, including accounting, to ensure the cleanup is funded in a timely manner.