# Mini-tort (Michigan)

> Michigan's mini-tort rule explained: how much vehicle damage you can claim from the at-fault driver, and how limited property damage coverage helps.

Canonical page: https://statecover-guide.com/glossary/mini-tort/  
Last reviewed: October 28, 2026 by the StateCover Guide editorial team  
General information, not legal or insurance advice.

## Quick answer

Mini-tort is a Michigan law that lets you claim vehicle damage your own insurance did not pay from the driver who caused the crash, up to $3,000. It exists because Michigan's no-fault law otherwise limits lawsuits over car accidents.

## How it works

Michigan's property protection insurance pays for damage your car does to buildings, fences and properly parked cars, but not to other cars on the road. Mini-tort covers a small part of that gap:

- **Who can recover.** You cannot recover if you were more than 50% at fault, and your own car must have carried the insurance Michigan law requires.
- **What you can recover.** Damage to your vehicle that insurance did not cover. If you have collision coverage, that usually means your deductible. Without collision coverage, you can claim repair costs up to the cap.
- **Protection for the at-fault driver.** Michigan insurers offer optional limited property damage coverage, which pays mini-tort amounts you become responsible for.

Example: another driver causes a crash, and your collision coverage pays for your repairs minus a $500 deductible. You can seek that $500 from the at-fault driver, or from their insurer if they carry limited property damage coverage.

## Related terms

- [Property protection insurance](https://statecover-guide.com/glossary/property-protection-insurance/)
- [No-fault insurance](https://statecover-guide.com/glossary/no-fault-insurance/)
- [Deductible](https://statecover-guide.com/glossary/deductible/)
- [Collision coverage](https://statecover-guide.com/glossary/collision-coverage/)
- Guide: [Michigan car insurance](https://statecover-guide.com/location/michigan/)

## Sources

- [Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, Auto Insurance Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.michigan.gov/autoinsurance/frequently-asked-questions) — mini-tort, limited property damage coverage, property protection insurance
- [Michigan Legislature, MCL 500.3135](https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-500-3135) — the mini-tort cap and comparative fault rule