This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility predating 1986. 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 underground storage tanks at this site were already leaking by 1988 and at end-of-life when removed in 1991, indicating installation likely occurred in the 1970s or earlier — well within the era of occurrence-based CGL policies that carried no effective pollution exclusion. The confirmed petroleum contamination in groundwater traces directly to those pre-1986 tank operations. As cleanup costs continue to accrue under an active remediation program, historical carriers who insured the facility during the period of tank operation may bear responsibility for both the costs already incurred and those still ahead.

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.