no-fault

adjective

ˈnō-ˈfȯlt 

1

: of, relating to, or being a motor vehicle insurance plan under which someone involved in an accident is compensated usually up to a stipulated limit for actual losses (as for property damage, medical bills, and lost wages) by that person's own insurance company regardless of who is responsible for the accident

2

: of, relating to, or being a divorce law under which neither party is held responsible for the breakup of the marriage

3

: characterized by the absence of a prevailing sense of individual responsibility (as for behavior)

Examples of no-fault in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those who choose unlimited no-fault medical coverage on their auto insurance pay this fee. —Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 9 Oct. 2024

Personal injury protection: Also known as no-fault insurance, PIP covers medical bills, lost wages, child care and even funeral costs. —Ryley Amond, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2024

Today, most cases are filed under no-fault divorce, but before its legalization in California in 1969, at-fault divorce was the only option for a broken union. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024

California Patt Morrison: California settled no-fault divorce decades ago. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

no-fault

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or being a motor vehicle insurance plan under which someone injured in an accident is compensated usually up to a stipulated limit for especially actual losses (as for property damage, medical bills, and lost wages) by that person's own insurer regardless of who is responsible for the accident and is prohibited from or limited in his or her right to sue the responsible party

2

: of or relating to no-fault divorce

a no-fault ground for dissolution

see also no-fault divorce at divorce