This property has a documented history as a bulk fuel distribution terminal predating 1986. 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 three contaminant classes found in groundwater at MC Terminals — halogenated organics, PAHs, and BNA organics — are characteristic of long-duration petroleum terminal operations, and the site's 1991 CSCSL listing confirms the contamination was recognized well before modern pollution exclusions became standard. With no remediation yet undertaken and the full scope of cleanup costs still ahead, historical carriers who covered this terminal during its pre-1986 operating years face potential exposure to the investigation, remediation, and long-term monitoring expenses that the property owner will now incur.

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.