This property has a documented history as a auto body / repair shop going back to 1938. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could fund a cleanup.

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.

Contamination here — petroleum hydrocarbons, benzene, lead, and non-halogenated organics — originates from auto wrecking activities dating to the 1930s and underground storage of leaded gasoline beginning in 1968, both well before 1986 when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies were the industry standard and carried no effective pollution exclusion. The release history spans decades of unregulated handling practices followed by UST operations that predate modern environmental standards, creating a long tail of potential liability. Historical carriers who issued CGL policies during those operational windows may be obligated to fund the investigation, bioremediation, and tank-closure costs this property now faces.

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.