no-fault

[noh-fawlt]

noun

Also called no-fault insurance. a form of automobile insurance designed to enable the policyholder in case of an accident to collect a certain basic compensation promptly for economic loss from his or her own insurance company without determination of liability.

adjective

of, relating to, or requiring no-fault insurance: a no-fault law; no-fault coverage.

of, relating to, or designating a divorce in which there is no attempt or need to hold either party responsible for the breakup.

Origin of no-fault

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Word Origin and History for no-fault insurance

no-fault

adj.

as a type of U.S. motor vehicle insurance, 1967, from no + fault (n.).

no-fault insurance in Culture

no-fault insurance

A type of automobile liability insurance that tries to cut the cost of insurance by restricting the legal grounds on which suits arising out of accidents can be brought. Most payments are made without determining legal responsibility, which is most often the reason for going to court.