by A Comprehensive Overview of Title Loans
A title loan is a type of secured loan where individuals have the option to use their vehicles as collateral. Borrowers can obtain a certain loan amount by placing a lien on the title of their car, which serves as a form of security interest against the property. In exchange for the loan amount, borrowers must temporarily surrender the physical copy of their vehicle’s title to the lender. Below, we will delve deeper into title loans through a series of questions:
How do title loans work?
- Often referred to as car title loans, these loans provide a small amount of money for a short period of time. In order to secure the loan, borrowers must provide the lender with the title of their vehicle.
- Title loans typically have a repayment time frame of 30 days.
- One notable downside of car title loans is that if the borrower defaults on the loan or fails to fully repay it, the lender has the right to repossess the borrower’s vehicle in lieu of the outstanding loan amount.
Are title loans valid in all states across the country?
Due to their short terms, lump sum repayments, and high annual percentage rates, title loans are only available in half of the country (precisely 25 states). The following is a list of some states allowing title loans:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Missouri
- Nevada
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wisconsin
What is the annual percentage rate (APR) of a title loan?
- The annual percentage rate (APR) measures the actual cost of the loan that borrowers will be paying each year, based on the interest rate.
- Title loans typically have an average APR of 300 percent, which is three times the amount borrowed in fees and interest rates.
- With title loans, the APR accumulates due to their short duration and the monthly interest rate of around 25 percent. Borrowers often choose to roll over the payment to the next month, resulting in a compounding APR.
What are the requirements to obtain a title loan?
- The primary requirement for applying for a title loan is that the applicant must be at least 18 years old and possess a government-issued ID as proof of age.
- Additionally, the borrower must have a car title free of any liens in their name and a reliable source of regular income. This income can be derived from various sources, such as a payroll job, pension, or even unemployment benefits.
- Once these requirements are met, applicants can either apply for a loan in person at a nearby location or online through various websites.
- Applying for title loans in person allows lenders to inspect the vehicle immediately, and loan professionals can make an offer based on the inspection.
How does the repayment process for title loans work?
- After qualifying for the loan and completing the application process, the loan company will present the borrower with a repayment plan.
- It is crucial to know the exact due dates for loan payments. Repayments can be made in cash at the nearest branch or through debit card transactions.
- A notable advantage of repaying a title loan is that borrowers can repay the entire loan amount in one lump sum without incurring any penalties.
Which are some of the popular car title loan providers to choose from?
Based on customer reviews nationwide, the following are some of the popular title loan providers (in no particular order):
- CashNetUSA
- Speedy Cash
- Check Into Cash
- TitleMax
- LoanMart
- TMG Loan Processing
