At-fault driver's insurer keeps saying 'low limits' — do I just eat the difference??

That "low limits" line is one of the oldest tricks in the book. They float it early to get you to voluntarily run it through your own insurance so their client's policy takes less of a hit. Don't do it. Make them show their cards. You're entitled to know what you're dealing with — don't let them keep it vague indefinitely.

I used to work on the carrier side and I'll be straight with you: adjusters are trained to mention low limits early in the call. It plants doubt and sometimes gets claimants to just go away quietly.

Here's what I'd do — send a written request (email is fine) asking for confirmation of the applicable bodily injury and property damage limits in writing. Most states require them to disclose limits to a third-party claimant within a reasonable timeframe. Keep every single communication documented from here on out. Verbal promises mean nothing.

On the storage fees specifically — this is a real problem and it tends to snowball fast. Most carriers will cover reasonable storage once liability is accepted, but "reasonable" is where they'll try to lowball you. Document every day the car sits there, get receipts, and put the adjuster on notice in writing that fees are accruing and you expect reimbursement. Paper trail is everything in these situations.

Not legal advice, but — if their limits genuinely can't cover your damages, you may have options beyond just accepting whatever they offer. Depending on your own policy, you might have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage that could fill the gap. That's worth a close read of your declarations page. A lot of people don't realize they have it. Talking to a PI attorney for a free consult at this stage costs you nothing and might clarify your position a lot.

Are you doing okay physically? A T-bone can do a lot to your body even if you feel "fine" in the moment — adrenaline masks a ton. If you haven't already seen a doctor, please go get checked out soon. Soft tissue stuff especially can take days to fully show up, and having that documented early matters a lot if symptoms develop later.

Stop negotiating on the phone. Seriously. Every conversation you have verbally can get twisted or conveniently "not remembered." Email only from here. Ask directly: what are the property damage limits on this policy? What is the process for rental authorization and how long will it take? Put them on record. If they go quiet or stay vague after that, you have your answer about whether you need a lawyer.

One thing I'd want to know — did you get a copy of the police report yet, and does it explicitly note that he was cited for failure to yield or running the stop sign? The strength of your position really depends on how airtight that documentation is. If it's all in writing from the officer, you're in good shape. If it was more of a he-said-she-said thing at the scene, that changes the dynamic a bit.

Ugh, this sounds so stressful. You did everything right and now you're stuck playing defense while the bills pile up. Please don't let them wear you down into just accepting something unfair — I've seen friends do that and regret it later. Keep pushing.