This property has a documented history as a auto body / repair shop 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 heavy oil saturating the soil at the hoist's footprint is the fingerprint of slow, long-term leakage — not a single incident — and both the hoist and the Time Oil activity tie this property to vehicle servicing operations that almost certainly predated 1986. A release that accumulated over decades would have first triggered liability under CGL policies in force at the time, policies issued to whoever operated that hydraulic lift and stored petroleum on this Tacoma lot. The investigation and excavation costs running from 2017 through 2021 and beyond represent expenditures those historical carriers may be obligated to fund.

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.