This property has a documented history as a auto body / repair shop going back to 1971. 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.

Fleet repair and vehicle servicing operations at this property began in the early 1970s, more than a decade before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies still addressed pollution releases without an effective exclusion. The investigation costs already incurred to confirm soil and soil vapor contamination represent expenditures that historical carriers may be obligated to recover. With active remediation still ahead under Standard Cleanup, those same pre-1986 policies may also be called upon to fund the cleanup costs yet to come.

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.