This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1953. Historical insurance policies issued during operations at this property and through 1986 could fund a cleanup.

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 diesel contamination at this property originated from an underground storage tank placed into service in 1953 — more than three decades before occurrence-based CGL policies began excluding pollution claims. Site investigations have confirmed older, weathered diesel contamination consistent with decades of slow release during that pre-1986 operational window. With the property now in the Voluntary Cleanup Program and additional investigation and remediation costs ahead, historical carriers who issued CGL policies to the operators during the 1953–1986 period may be obligated to fund the cleanup work this site still requires.

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.