This property has a documented history as a auto body / repair shop going back to 1973. 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 petroleum and metal contamination at this property originated from auto wrecking and salvage operations that began in the early 1970s — well before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies were the industry standard and carried no effective pollution exclusion in Washington. Historical carriers whose CGL policies covered operations during that pre-1986 window may be obligated both to recover the remediation costs already incurred — waste excavation, soil removal, tilling campaigns, and years of monitoring — and to fund the cleanup work that remains ongoing under the Voluntary Cleanup Program. A contamination record tied directly to pre-1986 vehicle fluid drainage and salvage activity gives a strong basis to pursue those historical insurance obligations.

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.