This property has a documented history as a gasoline service station going back to 1951. 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 responsible for the 1989 release were in operation for decades before that release was identified — a period spanning well into the era when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies were the industry standard and carried no effective pollution exclusion. Operations at this station reach back to at least 1951, covering multiple policy periods before 1986. The documented release history and Voluntary Cleanup Program enrollment create a direct basis for pursuing historical carriers whose policies were in force during those pre-1986 operating years to fund or recover remediation costs.

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.