This property has a documented history as a public works and maintenance facility going back to 1966. 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.

The diesel fuel and waste oil contamination at Terminal 18 traces directly to underground storage tanks installed in 1966 and 1967 — two decades before the industry-wide shift that made pollution exclusions routine in commercial liability policies. Historical carriers whose policies covered Port of Seattle's maintenance operations during that pre-1986 window may be obligated to contribute to both the remediation costs already incurred — UST removals, purge-water disposal, soil excavation — and the continuing semiannual groundwater monitoring program that the Port is still actively running today.

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.