This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1912. 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 underground storage tanks at this property — both heating oil and gasoline — were in active service for decades before being closed in the mid-1980s, placing their operational history squarely within the era when occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies carried no effective pollution exclusion. Industrial operations here stretch back more than a century, meaning pre-1986 carriers who issued CGL policies to the furniture factory operators, the Roman Meal Baking Company, or other prior occupants during that window may be obligated to fund the VCP remediation costs now being incurred. The contamination tied to historical fill material and former UST source areas reflects exactly the kind of long-term, gradual release those policies were written to address.

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.