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 underground storage tanks at this facility were installed and operated for decades before their 1991 removal, placing their active service squarely within the era when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies carried no effective pollution exclusion in Washington. The contamination — petroleum products from leaking USTs and chlorinated solvents from repair operations — originated during that pre-1986 policy window. Historical carriers who covered the facility during those years of operation may be obligated to recover past remediation costs and to fund the cleanup work that remains ahead.

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.