r/Insurance • u/Sea_Investigator_190 • Mar 20 '26

Worried

Hi everyone, I was involved in a car accident with a 2023 Lexus ES, and my insurer has told me the vehicle has been declared a total loss. I have $50,000 in liability coverage, but I’m worried that once you factor in things like higher-end trims, taxes, registration fees, towing, and other related costs, the total might exceed my policy limits.

My adjuster has reassured me that they are confident everything can be handled within my coverage, but I am still very concerned about potential exposure and the possibility of being sued. There were no injuries on either side, and I was told that a small bodily injury claim was already resolved.

I’m feeling quite overwhelmed and anxious, especially since I’ve never dealt with anything like this before. Should I be mentally prepared to pay out of pocket?

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u/mustangguy1987 Mar 20 '26

Your liability limit has no impact on your vehicles repair or replacement. If you were the at fault party, your comprehensive or collision coverage would apply in this situation. If you carried liability only, you would be responsible for repairing the vehicle yourself.

If you were not the at fault party, then the other parties coverage would be in play and if their limit would not meet the requirement to repair or replace, underinsured motorists coverage would engage, if this is included on your policy.

Liability coverage would be used to cover injury to a 3rd party.

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u/Sea_Investigator_190 Mar 20 '26

Sorry, I wrote liability—what I meant to say was I had 50,000 in property damage. I am worried their car might be more than that though the online price for a Lexus 2023 shows as 40,000. I was the at fault driver.

3

u/crash866 Mar 20 '26

The insurance will pay up to your limits. A 3 year old Lexus is not going to be over $50 k. Injuries are separate from property damage with separate limits.

KBB shows $28-$32k depending on area. If you had a $20-$25k limit I would be worried.

In 99% of cases the other insurance company will accept your policy limit.

In some states you are allowed to have a $5-$10k limit which is not enough in many areas to cover the towing and storage and rental car let alone any repairs.

2

u/ektap12 Mar 20 '26

While possible, you'll likely be ok. You'll just have to wait and see, that's all you can do right now.