Heating Oil Pollution Liability Insurance Program

• Why It Was Created
• How It Is Funded
• What Is Covered
• What Is Not Covered
• How To Apply For Insurance
• How Claims Are Filed
• Real Estate Transactions
• Insurance Policy/WAC (Washington Administrative Code)/RCW (Revised Code of WA)

Why It Was Created

To make pollution liability coverage available for owners of heating oil tanks because:

• Owners are responsible for cleanup of contamination if their tank leaks.
• Pollution coverage is often not available from private insurance companies.

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How It Is Funded

The program is funded by a fee that heating oil dealers pay per gallon of heating oil sold. Heating oil is defined as diesel, kerosene or stove oil.

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What Is Covered

• Up to $60,000 to cleanup contamination, not covered by other insurance, on your property and/or a neighboring property.
• The contamination must come from a leak that starts after a heating oil tank is registered with us. The tank may be underground, aboveground, or in a basement.
• The tank must be registered in the current owner's name.
• Reimbursement up to $1500 to repair damages on neighboring property (third party coverage) such as landscaping, flooring, painting, etc.

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What Is Not Covered

• Leaks from abandoned or decommissioned tanks, or other sources.
• Leaks that start before registering with PLIA.
• Property restoration on your property (first party coverage).
• Removal/repair/replacement of the tank/lines/furnace (this does not include reimbursement of new tank replacement costs according to RCW 70.149.120).
• Emergency heat restoration.
• Heating oil lost in the release.

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How To Apply For Insurance

• There is no cost to you to register.
• You must complete and submit to PLIA the registration form (please read instructions) (Acrobat Reader required to view-see link below).
• You are registered when PLIA receives your completed registration form.
• You must be registered with PLIA prior to the start of any accidental release in order for the cleanup to be covered.
• When PLIA receives your completed registration form, you will be mailed a confirmation. If you do not receive a confirmation within 14 days please contact PLIA at 1-800-822-3905 or (360) 407-0520.

Click here for free download

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How Claims Are Filed

If you suspect a release from your registered heating oil tank, you must contact PLIA at 1-800-822-3905 or (360) 407-0520 to file a claim. You have 30 calendar days from the date the tank is disconnected from the furnace to file a claim.

• PLIA will investigate the claim, which may include taking photos of your property and the failed tank.
• You will hire an approved contractor to do the cleanup.
• All work must be approved by PLIA before the work starts.

Click here for free download

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Real Estate Transactions

If a registered owner sells the property, or transfers ownership in any way, the coverage under the Heating Oil Pollution Liability Insurance Program ENDS.

To avoid any lapse in coverage, the new owner of the property must register within 180 days from the date of the property transfer.

Homeowners may register at any time, however the effective date of the coverage will begin on the date we receive the registration form if more than 180 days has passed from the date ownership changed.

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Policy, Statute, and Rules

The Colony Insurance Company provides the pollution liability insurance policy (Acrobat Reader required to view) for coverage of the Heating Oil Pollution Liability Insurance Program.

Click here for free download

The Heating Oil Pollution Liability Insurance Program is also governed by the Revised Code of Washington - Chapter 70.149 RCW and the Washington Administrative Code - Chapter 374-70 WAC.

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