It seems like you're facing a tight financial situation right now. While a car title loan may have initially provided the funds necessary for your car purchase, over time, the burden of high interest rates can become overwhelming, leaving you struggling to meet your payments.
But worry not! Today’s article is meant to provide you with the solutions you need to exit a car title loan without any hassles. Additionally, let’s see if a title loan refinance can give you the much-needed relief.
-
More than 9 in 10 title loans are taken out for personal reasons & 1 in 5 car title borrowers will lose their cars.
-
Chapter 13 bankruptcy helps make your debts easier to pay by reorganizing them. This includes title loans as well.
-
With title loans, your credit score isn't checked, and if you can't pay back the loan, your car may be taken.
-
More than 2 million people, approximately 1% of American adults, use high-interest automobile title loans annually, borrowing against their cars.
Key Takeaways
What are Car Title Loans?
It’s a type of loan where you borrow a small amount of money for a short period. Here's how it works:
-
You give the lender the title to your vehicle, be it your car, truck, or motorcycle. This serves as collateral, meaning if you can't pay back the loan, the lender can take your vehicle.
-
Additionally, you pay a fee to borrow the money. Typically, you're expected to repay the loan within 30 days.
-
However, it's important to note that car title loans can be very costly. If you struggle to repay what you owe, you risk losing your vehicle to the lender.
So, while they can provide quick cash in a pinch, they come with significant risks and high costs. However, upon negotiation, you can extend your loan terms or switch to a different lender through title loan refinance and borrow more money to pay off what you owe.
💡Keep in mind
When you enter into a title loan refinance, they'll charge you extra fees and make you pay more interest on top of what you already owe.
This can make it even harder for you to pay them back, and you might end up borrowing more and more money, which can become very expensive over time.
Assessing Your Options: Title Loan Refinance
When you're stuck dealing with a title loan and it's starting to feel like a real headache, it's super important to take a good look at what you can do next. One option that could make things easier is something called "title loan refinancing”.
Using title loan refinancing, you get to replace your existing title loan with fresh terms and conditions. It’s up to you whether you choose to refinance with the same lender or opt for another.
That being said, refinancing is not the only option available to exit from your existing car title loan. You will see why, in the next section.
5 Ways to Exit a Car Title Loan
With refinancing, you can only transfer to yet another car title loan by getting some extra money to repay your current title loan. You’re still responsible for paying off the new refinanced loan during a specified period on your revised loan terms.
So, if you’re looking for ways to completely exit a car title loan debt and take the weight off your shoulders, here are a few ways to go about it.
-
1. Repaying Your Title Loan In Full
This is one of the best ways to exit a car title loan. It’s also the most challenging because the payoff amount is usually huge. But, if you can make some extra cash using a side hustle, get started with it, and start saving it to repay your title loan in full.
Try avoiding taking such expensive loans if you’re unable to manage such heavy repayments.
-
2. Get A Personal Or An Auto Loan
A personal loan or a traditional auto loan can help cover the outstanding balance of your title loan. Personal loans come with lower interest rates and longer repayment terms compared to title loans, which can make them more manageable.
Similarly, a traditional auto loan allows you to use your vehicle as collateral but with more favorable terms and conditions than a title loan.
-
3. Renegotiate Title Loan Terms With Your Lender
It's worth giving it one more shot by reaching out to your lender to discuss the possibility of renegotiating the terms of your title loan.
This could involve extending the repayment period, reducing the interest rate, or adjusting the monthly payments to better suit your financial situation. Some lenders may be open to negotiation, especially if it means they're more likely to receive repayment.
-
4. Claim Your Rights If You’re A Service Member
If you're serving in the military, you may be entitled to special protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). This federal law provides various legal protections to active-duty servicemembers, including a reduction in interest rates for certain types of loans, such as auto loans.
It's important to familiarize yourself with your rights under the SCRA and seek legal assistance if you believe your rights have been violated.
-
5. Get In Touch With A Qualified Credit Counselor
They can provide valuable guidance and support in managing your finances and dealing with car title loan debt. A credit counselor can develop a personalized budget plan, negotiate with creditors on your behalf, and provide strategies for paying off your debts efficiently.
Plus, they can also offer advice on improving your credit score and avoiding future financial pitfalls.
You can either arrange for the money to repay the payoff amount in full or follow the advice of your credit counselor. They might suggest better ideas after closely examining your financial situation. Just follow their advice to get your car's title back.
If you're okay with fixing everything by refinancing, get hold of these tips below to get approved quickly.
4 Tips for Title Loan Refinance Success
To make the most of title loan refinancing and successfully exit your car title loan, here are some tips to keep in mind:
-
Don't settle for the first title loan refinancing offer you receive. While it’s still okay to get it done with your existing lender, no one can stop from shopping around and comparing rates from the best mortgage refinance lenders. This is a must to ensure you're getting the best deal.
-
Before the new lender can pay off the old loan, you need to fill out and sign a payoff authorization form, giving them permission to do so. You'll need to have this form ready when you sign the contract for the new loan.
-
A higher credit score can qualify you for better loan terms. Take steps to improve your credit before applying for refinancing.
-
Don't be afraid to renegotiate with your existing lender for a refinance to secure more favorable terms. They may be willing to lower interest rates or waive certain fees to continue having you as their customer.
Start Preparing Your Car Title Loan Exit Strategy!
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the burden of a car title loan, it's time to take action. Assess your financial situation, explore refinancing options, and consider alternative funding sources.
Getting in touch with a credit counselor is key, as they may offer assistance or modifications to your loan terms.
Be proactive, don't delay! Start planning your exit strategy so you can get your car title back.
About the writer
Micah Greenberg
Reverse Mortgage Expert
Meet Micah, your trusted mortgage expert. With a heart for helping others, Micah entered the mortgage finance world in 2017 after witnessing the positive changes a reverse mortgage brought to his grandfather's life.