This property has a documented history as a bulk fuel distribution terminal 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 hydrant system was installed and operational well before 1976, placing its entire service life within the era when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies contained no effective pollution exclusion. The 1981 fuel seepage event and the soil contamination discovered during subsequent investigation trace directly to infrastructure that was in use during that pre-1986 policy window. The multi-year remediation costs incurred under the Voluntary Cleanup Program — fuel recovery, soil treatment, investigation, and cleanup planning — represent expenditures that historical carriers who covered the bulk fuel operations 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.