Small claims · MI
Michigan small claims court for diminished value claims
In Michigan, small claims cases are heard in District Court, Small Claims Division, which handles claims up to $7,000. If an insurer will not pay a diminished value claim and the amount is within the limit, this is where an owner can sue the at-fault driver. You bring the evidence, and the judge decides.
Court
District Court, Small Claims Division
Claim limit
$7,000
Attorneys
Not allowed
Deadline to sue
3 years
Michigan courts
How small claims court works in Michigan
- Claim limit
- $7,000. The limit has been $7,000 since January 1, 2024, the last step in the statute's schedule. For crash damage to a vehicle, Michigan's no-fault law separately caps what can be recovered from the at-fault driver at $3,000 (see the defendant note). MCL 600.8401.
- Where to file
- File in the county or district where the claim arose or where the defendant lives, is established or works (MCL 600.8415).
- Attorneys
- An attorney may not take part in filing, prosecuting or defending a small claims case except on the attorney's own behalf; either party may move the case to the general civil division before trial to have a lawyer (MCL 600.8408).
- Filing fee
- $30 (claims up to $600), $50 (over $600 up to $1,750) or $70 (over $1,750), which is the $25, $45 or $65 statutory fee plus a $5 electronic filing system fee
- Appeals
- There is no appeal from a district judge's small claims decision because both sides waive it; if a magistrate hears the case, either party may appeal to a judge of the small claims division (MCL 600.8412).
Who you sue
Under Michigan's no-fault law the at-fault driver's liability for damage to another vehicle is limited to up to $3,000 (accidents after July 1, 2020), only to the extent the damage is not covered by insurance. The claim must be started in the small claims division whenever legally possible, nothing is awarded to a party more than 50 percent at fault, and nothing is awarded if the damaged vehicle was being driven without the required insurance (MCL 500.3135(3)(e) and (4)).
Diminished value law in Michigan
A claim against the at-fault driver in Michigan: limited. The general deadline to sue for vehicle property damage is 3 years (MCL 600.5805(2)). The cases and statutes are on the Michigan diminished value page.
What to bring
See using an appraisal in small claims court for the evidence list and what to ask the District Court, Small Claims Division clerk.
Sources
Researched October 11, 2026. General information from an appraisal perspective, not legal advice.
Evidence
An appraisal for a Michigan claim
A Michigan diminished-value appraisal is typically $250–$350 and comes with a custom demand letter. Autoloss is not a law firm and does not represent you in court.
Michigan small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Michigan?
$7,000 in District Court, Small Claims Division. The limit has been $7,000 since January 1, 2024, the last step in the statute's schedule. For crash damage to a vehicle, Michigan's no-fault law separately caps what can be recovered from the at-fault driver at $3,000 (see the defendant note).
Do I need a lawyer for small claims court in Michigan?
An attorney may not take part in filing, prosecuting or defending a small claims case except on the attorney's own behalf; either party may move the case to the general civil division before trial to have a lawyer (MCL 600.8408).
How long do I have to sue in Michigan?
Michigan generally allows 3 years to sue for vehicle property damage (MCL 600.5805(2)). Talking with the insurer does not pause the deadline.
Can a Michigan small claims decision be appealed?
There is no appeal from a district judge's small claims decision because both sides waive it; if a magistrate hears the case, either party may appeal to a judge of the small claims division (MCL 600.8412).
Taking a Michigan claim to court?
The claim review is free: we look at your situation and tell you whether an appraisal is likely to help. The appraisal itself is a paid report. We help from start to finish, including a custom demand letter, and our support staff is a phone call away throughout the process.