Car accidents in Minnesota: what to do and who pays

At the scene and reporting a crash in Minnesota

Always stop and help anyone who is hurt. Leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in every state.

When to call the police

Stop and give your name, date of birth, mailing or email address and plate number to the other driver; help anyone hurt. Give your insurer's name and agent within 72 hours if asked. If anyone else is hurt or killed, notify police by the quickest means: city police inside a city, State Patrol on a trunk highway, or the county sheriff. If you hit an unattended car, find the owner, tell a peace officer, or leave a note with your name and address and the owner's.

Report to the state

No separate driver report. The old written driver report to the state was repealed effective July 1, 2021; officers who investigate send their report to the Department of Public Safety within 10 days.

Law

Minn. Stat. § 169.09, subds. 2-6, 8 (subd. 7 repealed 2021)

Official text

Read the official text

First 24 hours after a crash in Minnesota

Tick the boxes as you go, or print the list and keep it in your glove box.

Insurance system in Minnesota

Minnesota is a no-fault state for injuries: your own personal injury protection (PIP) pays your first medical bills and lost income, whoever caused the crash. You can sue the other driver for injuries only in some cases, described below.

System

No-fault

PIP, benefits and when you can sue

No-fault for injuries. Your own basic economic loss benefits (PIP) pay at least $40,000 per person: $20,000 medical and $20,000 for lost income, replacement services and similar losses. You can sue for pain and suffering only if medical expenses exceed $4,000, or the injury causes permanent disfigurement, permanent injury, death, or disability of 60 days or more. Car damage is still claimed from the at-fault driver.

Law

Minn. Stat. § 65B.44, subd. 1; § 65B.51, subd. 3

Official text

Read the official text

Compare every state in the no-fault states table.

Who pays: comparative fault in Minnesota

Rule

Modified (51% bar)

What it means

In Minnesota, your damages are reduced by your share of the fault, and you can't recover at all if you were more than 50% at fault (51% or more).

Law

Minn. Stat. § 604.01, subd. 1 (you recover if your fault is not greater than the other side's; damages are cut by your share)

Compare every state's rule in the comparative negligence table.

Who pays in Minnesota: fault and payout explainer

If both drivers share the blame, your state's comparative-fault rule decides whether you can recover and how much. Enter your share of the fault and your total damages to see what the rule means. This is an illustration, not a prediction: insurers, juries and judges decide the percentages.

Minimum insurance in Minnesota

Liability minimum

30/60/10 plus $40,000 PIP

Uninsured / underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)

Required: uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage of at least 25/50 each.

Official text

Read the official text

Numbers like 25/50/25 mean $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for all injuries in one crash and $25,000 for property damage. Compare every state in the minimum insurance table.

Getting the police report in Minnesota

Fill out Crash Record Request Form PS2503 and submit it in person at Driver and Vehicle Services or a full-service deputy registrar office, or by mail. Only people involved in the crash (or their lawyer or insurer with a signed release) can get it. Cost: $5. Reports are available about three weeks after the crash. https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/contact/driver-and-vehicle-records-requests/request-crash-report

No confirmed online way to order a report in Minnesota? Ask by mail with our free police report request letter.

Filing a claim and insurer deadlines in Minnesota

How fast insurers must act

Insurers must acknowledge a claim within 10 business days, reply to your communications within 10 business days, and accept or deny the claim within 30 business days after notice unless they explain why more time is needed (Minn. Stat. § 72A.201, subd. 4). Agreed settlements must be paid within 5 business days (§ 72A.201, subd. 5(5)).

Put your claim in writing. Our free insurance claim letter lists your damages and asks for a written answer, within 10 business days for Minnesota where our data gives a day count.

If the other driver has no insurance in Minnesota

Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor (gross misdemeanor for repeats or if it causes death or serious injury), with a fine of at least $200 (Minn. Stat. § 169.797). Every Minnesota policy must include uninsured motorist coverage, so you can claim injuries from your own insurer; your PIP pays medical bills first, and collision coverage can pay for your car.

Read what to do if you are hit by an uninsured driver.

Deadlines to sue in Minnesota

Property damage (your car)

6 years

Injury

6 years

Notes, including claims against a government

To sue a Minnesota city, county or other municipality, give written notice of the claim to its governing body within 180 days after the loss or injury is discovered (Minn. Stat. § 466.05). For a claim against the State, present notice to the attorney general within 180 days (Minn. Stat. § 3.736, subd. 5). Intentional torts like assault have 2 years.

Law

Minn. Stat. § 541.05, subd. 1(4), (5) (6 years for injury to personal property and for other non-contract injury, including negligence)

The deadline is the statute of limitations. Insurance claims and talks with an adjuster don't stop it. Compare every state in the deadlines table.

Deadline to sue in Minnesota

Every state limits how long you have to file a lawsuit after a car crash. This is the statute of limitations. Choose your state, the type of claim and the date of the crash to see the usual deadline and the last day to file. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Small claims for property damage in Minnesota

Small claims limit

$20,000 in Conciliation Court since July 1, 2024.

Minnesota small claims guide on Small Claims Map

Small claims court can be a way to recover the cost of repairs from the driver who caused the crash. Read how to use small claims for car damage.

Insurance complaints in Minnesota

If an insurer delays, underpays or denies a claim without a good reason, you can file a complaint with the state insurance regulator:

• Minnesota Department of Commerce (insurance consumer services) · 651-539-1600 (complaints line)

Free help in Minnesota

• Minnesota DPS – Request a crash report
• Minnesota Department of Commerce · 651-539-1600

Good to know in Minnesota

• When liability is reasonably clear, the other driver's insurer must tell you that you may have a claim for loss of use of your car (Minn. Stat. § 72A.201, subd. 6(8)).
• You have the right to choose any rental car company under rental coverage (Minn. Stat. § 72A.201, subd. 6(17)).
• The 6-year deadline for negligence and property damage is among the longest in the country (Minn. Stat. § 541.05).

Changes in 2024–2026

Conciliation court (small claims) limit rose to $20,000 ($4,000 for consumer credit claims) by 2024 Minn. Laws ch. 123 (Minn. Stat. § 491A.01, subd. 3a). No 2024-2026 change to insurance minimums, PIP or the tort threshold found.

Free letters

Questions about car accidents in Minnesota

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