Michigan Mini Tort Benefits

Michigan Mini Tort Benefits Increasing from $500 to $1,000

Recently Governor Rick Snyder signed Public Act 158 which made specific changes to the Michigan No-Fault auto coverage know as Mini-tort. The two major changes are:

1)       The Mini Tort coverage limit has been doubled from $500 to $1,000

2)       Uninsured vehicles are now disqualified from all coverage under the Mini Tort law

Mini Tort is your right after being involved in a collision where you are deemed to be less than 50 percent at fault to get some coverage out of an at-fault driver’s insurance policy.

There are three damages that are available for coverage in a mini-tort claim:

1)       Monetary damages;

2)       To repair or replace a motor vehicle; and

3)       Which is not covered by insurance

Accordingly, in order for a plaintiff to prevail in a mini-tort claim, he must establish five points:

1)       That he is the owner of a motor vehicle;

2)       Which was damaged by the negligence of the defendant;

3)       That such damage was repaired and/or that such damage caused the vehicle to be totaled;

4)       That all or a portion of the damage was uninsured; and

5)       That the plaintiff was not more than 50% at fault

For more information please refer to https://www.michigan.gov/documents/cis_ofis_ip206_25091_7.pdf