This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1970. Historical insurance policies issued during operations at this property 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 facility's continuous industrial operations date to the early 1970s, more than a decade before occurrence-based CGL policies gave way to claims-made forms with pollution exclusions. While the documented petroleum hydrocarbon release is attributed to a specific 1991 incident rather than gradual pre-1986 operations, the site's long operational history — including underground storage tanks that were later decommissioned — means CGL policies were in force during decades of industrial activity at this location. With additional groundwater assessment still required, the full scope of environmental liability at this site may extend beyond the single documented release event.

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.