Is a car title loan predatory?

Is a car title loan predatory?

Car title loans are generally viewed as an example of subprime lending. Because of the higher risk of default, car title loans generally carry high-interest rates. Critics argue that car title loans are a form of predatory lending, because lenders are exploiting desperate borrowers who lack clear alternatives.

What does it mean when a car has a title loan?

A car title loan is a loan for a small amount of money and for a short time. To get a car title loan, you give the lender the title to your vehicle – for example, your car, truck or motorcycle. You also pay the lender a fee to borrow the money. If you cannot repay the money you owe, the lender can take your vehicle.

What happens if you miss your title loan payments?

If you start to miss your monthly payments and continue to miss them without any communication to your lender, the delinquency can result in car title loan default. A car title loan default is the failure to repay a loan according to the terms agreed upon in your contract.

Can a person get out of a title loan?

Title loans are also risky —you can potentially lose your car, making it hard to get to work and travel safely (unless you have reliable public transportation). 1  Here are six options for legally getting out of an auto title loan, plus a few tips to protect your finances.

What happens when a car title loan is repossessed?

Once the borrower’s vehicle has been repossessed, the car title loan lender can choose to sell the car at an auction. Any of the money that they acquire from the auction will go towards the remaining balance of the loan.

What happens when you default on a car title loan?

Rules regarding defaulting and repossession can vary depending on the state you live in. Most contracts with lenders will say when the missed payments are considered defaulting, and how long the borrower has to contact the lender before they repossess the vehicle. Call our toll-free hotline to speak with a specialist.

Title loans are also risky —you can potentially lose your car, making it hard to get to work and travel safely (unless you have reliable public transportation). 1  Here are six options for legally getting out of an auto title loan, plus a few tips to protect your finances.

What happens if you miss a payment on a car loan?

As you probably know, if you miss a payment or two on your car loan (and, as is typical, the loan was used to buy the car and is secured by the car), the lender has the legal right to physically repossess the car and sell it to recover the money you owe, plus the costs of the sale and attorney’s fees.

What happens if you default on a title loan?

Another option is to simply stop paying, but that’s probably not your best option. Defaulting on a loan will damage your credit, and your lender will eventually repossess the car. As a result, you’re left with bad credit and no car, and you’ll probably still owe money.

How long does a car title loan last?

Car title loans, often just called title loans, also are short-term loans. They typically last 15 or 30 days. The loans use your car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle as collateral. They’re usually for amounts ranging from 25% to 50% of the vehicle’s value. To get a car title loan, you must give the lender the title to your vehicle.