Michigan Mini-Tort Calculator

In Michigan you claim car damage from the at-fault driver through the "mini-tort", capped at $3,000. See how much you can ask for after what your own insurance paid.

Short answer

In Michigan you can recover up to $3,000 from the at-fault driver for damage to your car that your own insurance didn't pay, usually your collision deductible (MCL 500.3135(3)(e)). The amount is cut by your share of the fault, nothing is owed above 50% fault, and the claim goes to small claims court if the driver's insurer won't pay.

Not legal, financial, or insurance advice. This tool gives a general, educational estimate only. Insurance laws, deadlines, and formulas vary by state, by policy, and by insurer, and they change over time. Verify anything important with your insurance policy, your state department of insurance, or a licensed attorney before relying on it. The mini-tort applies to Michigan accidents. It covers damage to your vehicle only; injury claims follow different rules.

How the Michigan mini-tort works

Michigan's no-fault law stops most lawsuits over car damage, with one exception: you can recover up to $3,000 for damage to your vehicle "to the extent that the damages are not covered by insurance" (MCL 500.3135(3)(e), for accidents after July 1, 2020). In practice that is usually your collision deductible, or the repair bill up to $3,000 if you carry no collision coverage.

Damages are reduced by your share of the fault, and you get nothing if you were more than 50% at fault (MCL 500.3135(4)(a)).
You can't recover if your own car was being driven without the required no-fault insurance (MCL 500.3135(4)(e)).
The claim must be brought in the small claims division of the district court when possible (MCL 500.3135(4)(c)).
Mini-tort coverage is optional for the at-fault driver, so start by writing to their insurer; if they have no such coverage, the claim is against the driver personally.

How to claim it

Get the at-fault driver's name and insurer from the police report (UD-10).
Send their insurer a short letter with the repair invoice, proof of your deductible and the police report, asking for the amount below.
If they refuse or don't answer, file in small claims court in the district where the accident happened or the driver lives.

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Worked example

Repairs cost $4,200. Your collision coverage paid everything except your $1,000 deductible, and the police report puts 20% of the fault on you.

Mini-tort: $1,000 × (100% − 20%) = $800. Without collision coverage the uncovered damage would be the full $4,200, capped at $3,000, so $3,000 × 80% = $2,400; the other $1,800 can't be recovered from the other driver.

What to do next

Frequently asked questions

Is the Michigan mini-tort $1,000 or $3,000?

$3,000 for accidents after July 1, 2020; it was $1,000 before. The 2019 no-fault reform raised the cap (MCL 500.3135(3)(e)).

Can I use the mini-tort if I was partly at fault?

Yes, if you were 50% at fault or less. The amount is cut by your share: at 20% fault, a $1,000 claim becomes $800. Above 50% you recover nothing.