This property has a documented history as a gasoline service station predating 1986. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could help fund the ongoing and future cleanup under Oregon DEQ oversight.

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 Oregon — and those policies may provide coverage that remains enforceable today. 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 gasoline contamination at this property originated from an unregulated underground storage tank — a tank class commonly installed well before 1986 — which released petroleum into both soil and groundwater during its years of operation. With assessment still underway, remediation yet to begin, and a Cost Recovery Agreement establishing ongoing compliance obligations, the investigation, cleanup, and long-term monitoring work ahead under Oregon DEQ's active oversight represents substantial future costs that pre-1986 carriers whose policies were in effect during the period of tank operations may be obligated to fund going forward.

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.