USTIF Claim Guidance

USTIF refers to the Pennsylvania Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund which is a specialized program administered by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department that functions similarly to an insurance company to cover corrective action costs pertaining to releases from underground storage tanks in Pennsylvania. The fund reimburses eligible tank owners and installers for remediation and third-party damages resulting from fuel or other substance releases, helping to protect the environment, communities, and businesses from the financial burden of these leaks. MEA has successfully closed over 200 USTIF-funded sites across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Coverage Limitations & Deductibles

USTIF will not cover any upgrade, repair, or maintenance costs for a facility concerning an UST system, including tank removals. USTIF covers only regulated USTs and underground heating oil tanks that choose to “opt-in” to the program.

Coverage limits: $1.5 million limit per tank per occurrence and $1.5 million annual aggregate limit (as of December 13, 2001).

Corrective action deductible: $5,000 per tank per occurrence.

Third party liability deductible: $5,000 per tank per occurrence.

Claim Eligibility Process

MEA has the experience to professionally handle your USTIF claim, including the preparation of the claim package and communication with claim representatives. Typical claim eligibility requirements include:

Record of tank registration with PADEP;

Record of throughput or capacity fee payments to USTIF;

Proof of payment to USTIF through fuel delivery receipts and bank records;

Records of tank system inventory control compliance; and

A general understanding of how the release was discovered.

To learn more about the Pennsylvania Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund claims process, please visit the official USTIF website. MEA encourages tank owners to file a claim for any confirmed release from a regulated underground storage tank system containing petroleum products. MEA can also file a claim on a claimant’s behalf.

Claims must be filed within 60 days of the date the release was confirmed. MEA offers free advice and assistance with claim filing (although we cannot guarantee a favorable eligibility determination).

In MEA’s experience, claim determination timeframes can range from a couple weeks to more than 6 months. We encourage tank owners to work closely with their claim representative for the fastest results.