This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1956. 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.

Industrial operations at this property — aircraft engine repair, fuel injection system manufacturing, and the routine use of solvents, oils, and metals — began in 1956 and ran for three decades before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies remained the industry standard and lacked effective pollution exclusions. The 1986 assessment that uncovered improper chemical disposal and lead contamination reflects releases that were already underway during that pre-1986 operating window, directly linking the documented contamination to that insured period. Historical carriers whose CGL policies covered Precision Engines, Precision Airmotive, or their predecessors during those decades may be obligated both to recover the remediation costs already incurred and to fund the cleanup work the site still requires.

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.