Question
1: Will the PSTIF pay to clean up property where the tanks are
no longer in use?
Answer 1: If the regulated petroleum storage tanks were taken
out of use prior to 12/31/97 and the property was identified as
a tank site and reported to the Department of Natural Resources
prior to 12/31/97, the site is likely to be eligible for benefits
under the Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund. A positive response
to the 12/31/97 question is the initial step in determining eligibility
for an out-of-use site.
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Question
2: I am an owner of a site and have made application to obtain
insurance from the fund. My tanks or piping leak while you are reviewing
my application. Will the cleanup costs I incur be covered by the
Fund?
Answer 2: No, the release will not be covered by the Fund
since it occurred prior to the effective date of the policy.
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Question
3: How long does it take for me to receive my check?
Answer 3: The PSTIF will respond to your invoices submitted
within 30 days. Many times, the submissions are incomplete and additional
information is required. This slows down the process significantly.
Once PSTIF is able to make a payment recommendation, it takes approximately
two weeks for the State of Missouri to issue a check on the claim.
If your invoice submission is complete and no additional information
is required, the PSTIF will make a payment recommendation within
30 days, plus the two weeks it takes the State Treasurerto issue
a check, or approximately six weeks from receipt of the invoices
until you receive a check.
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Question
4: Does the Fund tell me what contractor to use?
Answer 4: The PSTIF does not require an owner to use a particular
contractor. The owner has the freedom to select its own contractor
and manage the relationship with the contractor directly. The Fund
works directly with the owner and not the contractor. All reimbursements
are made directly to the owner. It is the owner's responsibility
to see that the contractor completes his work timely and submits
the invoices to you (the owner), and you (the owner) submit them
to the Fund for reimbursement.
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Question 5: What should I do if I have a leak?
Answer 5: If it is an emergency, call 1-800-765-2765. A claims adjuster will contact you to provide assistance. You will be asked to fill out a Claim Form and Non-Waiver Agreement as time allows. Please be sure to contact the MDNR Spill Line as well at (573) 634-2436.
For non-emergency situations, fill out a claim form and send it, along with any work plans and cost estimates, to:
PSTIF
PO Box 104116
Jefferson City , MO 65110
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Question 6: When should I file a claim?
Answer 6: When you –
• Know or reasonably suspect a leak from your tank(s) or piping;
• Plan to remove one or more petroleum storage tanks, (though a claim cannot be formally established until it is established that a release has occurred;);
• Learn that petroleum contamination exists on your site in excess of cleanup levels established by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, (MDNR); or
• Receive notice of a claim for damages or cleanup costs from another party.
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Question 7: Who may file a claim?
Answer 7: Only the following persons may request payment from the PSTIF:
* A Fund participant, (i.e., a person who is insured);
* A Fund beneficiary, (i.e., a person who is cleaning up an eligible property where tanks were taken out of use by 12/31/97); or
* A creditor, mortgagee or other person listed as additional insured.
Persons who believe they have suffered property damage or bodily injury, or who have incurred costs for cleanup of petroleum contamination emanating from a tank site, should present their claim directly to the responsible tank owner.
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Question 8: I am selling my property and have an open claim. Do I need to notify the PSTIF?
Answer 8: Yes, the PSTIF must be notified of any change of ownership of tanks or real estate. The right to receive benefits for an existing claim may be transferred, but insurance policies cannot be transferred. (Please note that insurance coverage cancels automatically when an operating tank site is sold; see the FAQ under “Insuring Your Tanks.”)
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Question 9: Can PSTIF make a claim check payable to the consultant/contractor?
Answer 9: No, PSTIF claim payments cannot be made directly to the consultant or contractor. We can make payments jointly payable, and can mail checks directly to the consultant/contractor at the direction of the Fund participant or beneficiary. (Please see “Helpful Hints” under “Claims.”)
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Question 10: What is the “Payment Request Form?”
Answer 10: The Payment Request Form is a document the PSTIF requires to be included with every batch of invoices submitted for reimbursement. There is a section to be signed by the consultant/contractor and section to be signed by the Fund participant/beneficiary. Both parties must sign the form. A faxed copy is acceptable.
The form also contains an area for the Fund participant/beneficiary to designate if the check should be made jointly payable and to whom the check should be mailed.
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Question 11: What costs might I incur that will not be paid by the Fund?
Answer 11: The PSTIF does not pay the following costs:
• Cleaning of tanks, lines;
• Removal, handling, and disposal of tanks, lines, pump islands, canopies, buildings, etc.;
• Excavation costs solely necessary to remove tanks or lines;
• Costs for disposal of soil that is not contaminated above cleanup levels established by the MDNR;
• Costs for site characterization, assessments or similar work, (e.g., Phase I or Phase II Site Assessments), to determine whether a release occurred;
• Markup of laboratory analyses costs and markup of major subcontracted work such as drilling, well installation or push probe investigation;
• Repairs to or maintenance of the tank system;
• Tank and line tightness tests; or
• Preparation of claim submittals.
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