This property has a documented history as a auto body / repair shop going back to 1969. 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.

Petroleum contamination at this site traces directly to waste oil storage and automotive servicing operations that began in 1969 — more than fifteen years before occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies began incorporating effective pollution exclusions. Historical carriers who issued CGL policies to the facility's operators during that pre-1986 window may be obligated to contribute to the documented remediation costs — soil excavation, UST removals, groundwater treatment — as well as to fund any further remediation required to reach closure under the Voluntary Cleanup Program.

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.