This property has a documented history as a gasoline service station going back to 1923. 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 contamination at this property originated from a fueling operation that ran from 1923 through the mid-1940s — decades before occurrence-based CGL policies ceased covering pollution claims in 1986. The documented remediation expenditures already incurred, including tank removal, soil excavation, on-site treatment, and nearly two decades of assessment work, represent costs the historical carriers who insured the Colvos Store during that 1923-to-1944 fueling window may be obligated to recover. With cleanup still underway, those same policies may also be called upon to fund whatever remaining remediation the site requires to reach closure.

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.