This property has a documented history as a gasoline service station going back to 1929. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations 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.

The underground storage tanks at this property were in service by the late 1920s or early 1930s — decades before 1986, when occurrence-based CGL policies still lacked effective pollution exclusions in Washington. Lead in the soil confirms the contamination originated during the leaded-gasoline era, squarely within the window when those policies were being issued. Groundwater above MTCA A cleanup levels for diesel and motor oil remains unaddressed, meaning investigation, design, and active remediation costs all lie ahead. Historical carriers whose policies covered this service station during its operational decades may be obligated to fund those forthcoming expenditures.

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.