This property has a documented history as a auto body / repair shop predating 1986. Historical insurance policies issued during operations at this property and through 1986 could fund a cleanup.

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.

Tributyltin antifouling paints were banned or heavily restricted for use on smaller vessels by 1988, and the July 1985 taxpayer-change record for Simpson Timber Company — the owner of the marine railway — places this facility in operation before that cutoff. Those two facts together make clear that the TBT contamination documented here originated from pre-1986 boat maintenance operations. The investigation and remediation costs now facing this property are liabilities that historical carriers whose policies covered the facility during that operational window may be obligated to fund.

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.