This property has a documented history as a public works and maintenance facility going back to 1963. 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.

Contamination at this facility originates from hazardous materials handling and hydrocarbon use that began with documented operations in 1963 — more than two decades before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies still carried no effective pollution exclusion. The site's construction and fill history extends further into the 1920s, broadening the timeline of potential contamination and the universe of historical policies in play. The documented and planned remediation expenditures — test pit excavation, monitoring well installation, waste disposal, and forthcoming soil removal — represent costs that historical carriers whose policies covered this facility during the pre-1986 operational window may be obligated both to recover and to fund going forward.

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.