Claims

How to File a USTIF Claim

Underground storage tank (UST) owners/operators and certified companies may file a claim by:

  • Logging in at https://ustif.pa.gov/ and accessing their account; or
  • Calling (717) 787-0763 or (800) 595-9887 (PA only) and following the prompts for the Claim Department. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM.

Environmental consultants (“Consultants”) may file claims on behalf of a USTIF participant by completing a PDF of the Claim Notification and emailing it to RA-In-FBSClaims@pa.gov with the subject line “Claim Notification Submittal Form”.

Once the USTIF Claims establishes a claim, you should receive a confirmation email. An adjuster will contact you to begin the investigation.

NOTE: Claims must be reported within 60 days after knowledge of a potential claim, and meet all other eligibility criteria, or coverage will be denied.

Claims Process

The purpose of USTIF is to reimburse eligible tank owners for reasonable and necessary corrective action expenses incurred while remediating contamination from registered USTs.

To be eligible for claim benefits, participants must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Claims must be reported within 60 days after discovery of a release.
  • The claimant is the owner/operator of the UST.
  • USTIF fees are paid for each tank at the facility prior to discovery of the release.
  • Each UST at the facility is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PaDEP), except for nonregulated heating oil tanks that were opted into the program. Registration fees are paid on or before 60 days of when the release is discovered.
  • The UST owner/operator received permits, if required.
  • The UST owner/operator can prove a release occurred on or after February 1, 1994.
  • The claimant cooperates with USTIF in the investigation of the claim.

Claims are investigated by USTIF’s Third Party Administrator who makes a recommendation to USTIF concerning eligibility.

If the claim has been deemed eligible by USTIF, it may be advertised for competitive bidding by interested remediation contractors as explained in more detail in Bulletin #5, Competitive Bidding.

USTIF is obligated by statute and regulation to pay only those expenses that are considered reasonable and necessary. Occasionally, USTIF will issue bulletins as guidance regarding certain aspects of the claim process.

Claim Eligibility Investigation

Once filed, the claim is assigned to a Claim Representative, who contacts the tank owner/operator or certified company (Claimant) within one business day to begin the formal claim investigation process. Copies of release detection items are requested, a recorded statement is taken, and other pertinent issues are investigated.

To qualify for USTIF eligibility, a Claimant must meet all statutory and regulatory eligibility criteria. When the investigation is complete, an eligibility determination is sent in writing to the claimant.

  • For an eligible or partially eligible claim, information regarding claim payment procedures is provided.
  • For denied claims, the tank owner or operator is provided with information concerning appeal procedures.

Indemnification Payments

USTIF covers reasonable and necessary costs for corrective actions to clean up contamination from leaking USTs. The cost covered by USTIF includes identifying the extent, nature and impact of the release and develops a remedial action plan for restoring the site. It also covers claims for bodily injury and property damage that occur as a result of the release.

USTIF will not cover any upgrade costs for the facility or any repair and maintenance work performed on the USTs, including tank removal. Occasionally, USTIF will issue bulletins as guidance regarding certain aspects of the claim process.

Environmental Consultants

A Claimant and their environmental consultant (Consultant) enter a contract to perform services related to corrective action including site characterization and remediation. USTIF’s competitive bidding process is also available to Claimants to ensure that sites are remediated in a cost-effective manner.

Once work under the contract begins, the Consultant submits invoices to the Claimant in accordance with the contract. The Claimant is responsible to pay the Consultant in accordance with their contract. The Claimant then files a claim with USTIF for reimbursement of the Consultant's costs.

USTIF is responsible to the Claimant to whom it has an obligation, not the Consultant, who has a contractual relationship with the Claimant. As a convenience, the USTIF permits the Claimant to submit approved invoices directly to the USTIF for payment directly to the Consultant.

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