This property has a documented history as a bulk fuel distribution terminal predating 1986. Historical insurance policies issued during operations at this property 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.

Contamination at this installation originated from bulk fuel storage and aircraft servicing operations that were documented as far back as 1982 and monitored as early as 1983 — well within the era when occurrence-based CGL policies carried no effective pollution exclusion. The excavation, soil disposal, and purge-water treatment costs already incurred represent past expenditures that historical carriers may be obligated to recover. With long-term groundwater monitoring and natural attenuation continuing across Sites SS-34, WP-44, and DP-60, the O&M obligations here are ongoing — and pre-1986 policies may be available not only to recoup past remediation costs but to fund that continuing monitoring work as well.

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.