This property has a documented history as a public works and maintenance facility going back to 1960. 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 petroleum storage infrastructure at this property was installed in 1960, more than two decades before occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies began incorporating effective pollution exclusions in 1986. The documented remediation work — tank removals, excavation of infrastructure, and regulated disposal of gasoline- and diesel-affected materials — directly addresses contamination tied to those pre-1986 UST operations. Historical carriers who issued CGL policies during the facility's operational window may be obligated both to recover those cleanup costs and to fund remediation that continues forward.

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.