This property has a documented history as a gasoline service station predating 1986. 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 fuel storage and dispensing operations at this property began well before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies carried no effective pollution exclusion in Washington. Soil contamination from those former underground storage tanks remains above regulatory levels despite prior excavation efforts, and continued remediation under the Standard Cleanup program will add to the cost trail. Historical carriers who insured the facility during its pre-1986 operational window may be obligated to fund both past and future cleanup expenditures tied to those legacy releases.

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.