This property has a documented history as a gasoline service station going back to 1980. 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.

Underground storage tanks at this fueling station were installed in 1982, placing the facility's operations squarely within the era of occurrence-based Commercial General Liability policies that carried no effective pollution exclusion. Petroleum and solvent contamination confirmed in groundwater and surface water represents the kind of environmental liability those pre-1986 CGL policies were written to address. With cleanup underway and remediation costs accumulating, historical carriers who issued policies during the station's pre-1986 operational window may bear an obligation to fund both past and future expenditures.

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.