This property has a documented history as a gasoline service station going back to 1985. Historical insurance policies issued during those prior operations and through 1986 could recover the cleanup costs already paid.

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 unleaded gasoline UST at this property was installed in October 1985 — months before the January 1986 date after which occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies began excluding pollution claims. Benzene contamination in groundwater required years of monitoring and remediation through the Voluntary Cleanup Program, generating costs directly tied to the operation of that pre-1986 tank. Historical CGL carriers whose policies were in effect when the UST was installed and operating may still be obligated to cover those documented remediation expenditures.

Restorical's role is to locate viable historical policies, determine whether a successful cost recovery claim is possible, and assist our clients and their legal counsel to obtain insurance coverage for costs already incurred. Restorical's forensic accounting team works to re-establish and document past cleanup expenditures, ensuring the strongest possible basis for recovery.