This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1969. 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 began in 1969 — nearly two decades before occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies acquired effective pollution exclusions — with a gasoline UST present from the outset of that original development. The petroleum contamination in soil and groundwater, along with lead detected in soil consistent with leaded-gasoline use common before 1986, ties directly to those pre-1986 operations. Documented remediation costs spanning tank removal, large-scale soil excavation, and years of groundwater monitoring represent expenditures that historical carriers who issued CGL policies during that operational window may be obligated to recover.

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.