This property has a documented history as a property with a heating oil tank predating 1986. 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 heating oil tank at this property corroded through pinhole failures and weld failures consistent with decades of service, and the house had already been converted to natural gas by multiple property owners before the contamination was discovered — placing the tank's active operational years well before 1986. Occurrence-based CGL policies issued during those operating years carry obligations that reach in both directions: backward to the 2017 abandonment work already completed — soil excavation, tank pumping, and backfill — and forward to the groundwater remediation that the 2017 effort left unfinished. Historical carriers whose policies were in force when the contamination originated may be liable for both categories of cost.

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.