Auto Insurance
Tort State
A state where the at-fault driver's liability insurance pays for the other party's injuries and damages.
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology
Definition
In a tort (fault) state, the driver who causes an accident is financially responsible for the injuries and damages that result. The injured party can sue for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Most U.S. states use a tort system. Tort states contrast with no-fault states, where each driver's own insurance covers their own injuries regardless of fault. In full tort states, there is no threshold before you can file a lawsuit; in limited tort states (like Pennsylvania and New Jersey), lawsuits are restricted unless injuries meet a severity threshold.
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Cover Forge USA Editorial Team
Editorial Lead
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed 2026-06-14
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