Definition of threshold level

minimum degree of injury or loss for which an injured party can sue, even though covered by no-fault automobile insuranceno-fault automobile insurance. Traditionally, an accident victim had to prove the other driver was at fault in order to collect damages from that driver's insurance company. Today, more than 20 states have some type of automobile no-fault law designed to eliminate long and costly legal action, and to assure quick payment for medical and hospital costs, loss of income, and other unavoidable costs stemming from automobile accidents. An injured person can collect from his or her insurance company up to the threshold level, or specified limit, no matter who is at fault. For expenses above these limits, the injured person is still allowed to sue. There are three types of thresholds: a specific dollar amount, a specific period of disability, or specified injuries such as loss of a leg.