Opinion ID: 1981754
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Heading: Rehnelt Claim.

Text: Rehnelt owned and operated a 1974 Ford motor vehicle that was required to be registered and licensed in the state of Minnesota. Rehnelt did not maintain a plan of reparation security on this vehicle as required by Minn.Stat. § 65B.48, subd. 1 (1984) and, therefore, did not have $20,000 of basic economic loss medical benefits coverage for himself as required by Minn.Stat. § 65B.44, subd. 1(a) (1984). On September 10, 1983, Rehnelt's vehicle collided with a vehicle owned by Robin Stuebe which was registered and licensed in Minnesota. Stuebe maintained a plan of reparation security on this vehicle with Midwest Family Mutual Insurance Company, which was licensed to write motor vehicle accident reparation and liability insurance in Minnesota. For purposes of the summary judgment motions only, the parties stipulated that Stuebe was liable and that the medical expenses totaled $785.00. Stuebe refused Rehnelt's demand that she pay these expenses, claiming that Rehnelt was prohibited from recovering them under the Minnesota No-Fault Automobile Insurance Act, Minn.Stat. §§ 65B.41-.71 (1984). Because Stuebe refused to pay the expenses, Rehnelt commenced this action. The trial court granted Rehnelt's motion for summary judgment, holding that Rehnelt's failure to have no-fault insurance did not bar his tort action against Stuebe. The court of appeals affirmed. 379 N.W.2d 677.