This property has a documented history as a gasoline service station going back to 1915. 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.

Both the gas station and dry cleaning operations at this site were well established before 1986, when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies still lacked effective pollution exclusions. The PCE contamination associated with the dry cleaner and the petroleum hydrocarbon contamination traced to decades of UST operations each represent distinct release histories rooted in that pre-1986 window. Historical carriers who issued CGL policies to the operators during those decades may bear obligations for the remediation costs now being incurred under the Voluntary Cleanup Program.

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.