This property has a documented history as a public works and maintenance facility going back to 1983. 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.

Underground storage tanks were installed at this facility in 1983 and a solvent tank began operating in 1985 — both before the 1986 shift from occurrence-based to claims-made Commercial General Liability policies. CGL policies issued to Spokane Transit Authority during that pre-1986 window carried no effective pollution exclusion under Washington law. The remediation costs incurred to address petroleum and solvent contamination in groundwater at this bus barn represent expenditures that historical carriers who covered the facility during those operational years may be obligated to recover.

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.