This property has a documented history as a gasoline service station predating 1986. Historical insurance policies issued during operations at this property 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 contamination here originated from underground storage tanks installed and operated well before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies lacked effective pollution exclusions — and physical evidence suggests the site's construction history extends as far back as the pre-1960 era. The documented remediation record — nearly 3,819 tons of impacted soil removed, nearly 300,000 gallons of groundwater treated, and long-term monitoring still ahead — represents both past expenditures and substantial future costs. Historical carriers who issued CGL policies to operators during those pre-1986 years may be obligated to recover cleanup costs already incurred and to fund the monitoring work that remains.

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.