A car title loan is a type of secured loan where borrowers can use their vehicle title as collateral.
Are you in need of money as soon as possible? You may then consider offering your car as collateral for a short-term loan. After agreement to such a loan, the lender will place a lien on the car’s title, allowing him to repossess it if you stop making your payments. Mind you, every car title loan have their own pros and cons.
PROS
Car title loans are an excellent option for borrowers who need their money immediately. As soon as you and the lender agree to the loan amount and terms, you can receive your cash quickly. In many cases, you can walk out of the lender’s office with the money in hand on the day you apply for the loan.
Apart from other types of financing, car title loans don’t have a complicated or lengthy approval process. Since you are offering a form of collateral, car loans are relatively easy to qualify for, even if you don’t have the best credit score. Many lenders will, in fact, provide car title loans without even with a bad credit score or report. As long as you can show that you have a reliable source of income and a car worth more than the loan you are requesting, the lender will typically approve your loan application.
If the lender places a lien on the car’s title but doesn’t keep the vehicle itself, you can continue to use the vehicle while making payments on the loan. There is certainty of losing the use of the vehicle only if you default on the loan by not making your monthly payments and the lender repossess the car.
CONS
Car title loans often carry high-interest rates. These rates are significantly higher than credit cards rates and may even exceed 100 percent in some cases while a few states have laws that prohibit such exorbitant interest rates, many do not.
Car title loans are also short-term loans, which means that they must be within 24 to 48 months. If you are unable to make your payments, late fees raise the balance even higher, and the lender will eventually repossess your vehicle, which leads to a host of other problems.
TIPS FOR BORROWERS
Additionally, carrying title loans can be sure to pose problems, especially if the interest rate is quite high. Before taking out a car title loan, consider less expensive options. Research on other consumer loans, credit cards, cash advances and even loans from family and friends.
If you must take out a car title loan, make sure that you understand the terms completely. Ask about the APR, as well as any fees that accompany the loan. Finally, make sure that you always make your payments on or before the due date to avoid paying additional fees to the balance, and you may even lose possession of your car.