This property has a documented history as a auto body / repair shop going back to 1968. 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 underground storage tank at this property was a single-wall welded steel unit without cathodic protection — construction characteristic of pre-1980s installations — and soil sampling detected lead consistent with leaded gasoline, which was phased out by 1986. Occurrence-based CGL policies issued to the operator during that pre-1986 window carried no effective pollution exclusion under Washington law and remain enforceable today. With remediation costs spanning decades — tank removal, soil excavation, vapor extraction, and continued monitoring obligations — historical carriers who covered this facility may be obligated both to recover those past expenditures 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.