This property has a documented history as a auto body / repair shop 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 release at this site originated from a hydraulic hoist installed and operated before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies were still standard and contained no effective pollution exclusion. That chronic equipment leak — and the documented remediation it triggered, including soil excavation, extraction well installation, and years of groundwater monitoring — falls squarely within the coverage window those pre-1986 policies were written to address. Historical carriers who issued CGL policies during the pre-1986 operational period may be obligated both to recover costs already incurred and to fund the cleanup 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.