You might be fine with your car payment amount when you drive the car off the lot. But financial hardships like fluctuating income, a job loss, unexpected medical bills or emergency expenses at some point could make it difficult to manage a car payment. When that happens, you may look for auto loan debt relief.
Talk to Your Lender
If you're worried that you can't make a payment, contact your lender before you get behind. Tell them you're struggling and ask if they have a relief program available. Some financial institutions are willing to pause payments for a month or so without penalty, especially if you always pay on time.
Some lenders offer auto loan hardship programs or similar financial relief to those struggling with their monthly car payments. These programs are designed to help borrowers make their payments while recovering from an unexpected financial emergency.
Yes, it is possible to get out of a car loan, but there are only two ways to do it: satisfying the terms of the loan or defaulting on the loan (which can end up with your car being repossessed). Unfortunately, it's not possible to just give back a car and end the financing agreement as though it never happened.
Hardship programs are nearly identical to the debt management programs offered by nonprofit credit card agencies like InCharge Debt Solutions. Both programs make it easier to afford the monthly payments by lowering interest rates and eliminating fees.
Consider a Voluntary Repossession
Voluntary repossession should be the last resort if you're in a dire financial situation and can't get out of your loan any other way. When you give possession of the vehicle to the lender voluntarily, you might not experience as much of a hit to your credit.
In some instances, a dealer may accept the return of a financed vehicle if it's necessary to avoid repossession. What's important to keep in mind here is that a vehicle's value depreciates quickly. Even after just a few months of ownership, you may owe more on the car than it's currently worth.
Losing your car can hurt your credit quite a bit unfortunately. Having your car repossessed or surrendering it voluntarily is seen as a major negative event by lenders. They'll view you as high-risk. Expect your credit score to take a big hit, maybe over 100 points or more.
Can you sell a car to a dealership? Yes, and selling a car to a dealer is a simple way to get rid of a vehicle you no longer want. It can be a good solution if you need quick cash to buy a new vehicle or an easy way to unload a used car without replacing it.
Another option is to give up the vehicle to the lender voluntarily rather than going through the repossession process. The lender may find this option appealing because it avoids the costs of repossession, and it may agree to reduce or eliminate the deficiency balance on the loan.
Ask Your Lender About Financial Support Options
Your lender. As a result, lenders are typically willing provide some help if you're going through a financial downturn. That was particularly true during the COVID pandemic. So, ask your lender about hardship programs, which include loan deferrals and late-fee waivers.
Acceptable Documentation
Lost Employment. • Unemployment Compensation Statement. (Note: this satisfies the proof of income requirement as well.) • Termination/Furlough letter from Employer. • Pay stub from previous employer with.
It does not settle secured debts, meaning any debt tied to collateral, like an auto loan or mortgage. National Debt Relief also doesn't settle back taxes, back rent, child support, speeding tickets, fines, cell phone bills or car repair bills, among others.
How does voluntary repossession work? Voluntarily surrendering a car involves informing your lender that you can no longer make payments and intend to return it. Empty your car of all personal items and arrange the time and place to drop off your car and hand over the keys.
If you want to avoid repossession and have no other options, you can voluntarily surrender the vehicle to your lender. A voluntary surrender allows you to return the vehicle to your lender on your terms, and while it can damage your credit, it won't have as big an impact as a repossession.
They can sue you for the balance you didn't pay for the down payment, but unless it was in the contract they can repossess, the law in CA doesn't allow it. Under California law, a breach of contract occurs when one party fails to fulfill a legal duty the contract created and causes damages for the defendant.
If you're worried about missing a car payment, contact your lender and request a deferral. Alternatively, you could refinance your auto loan, sell the vehicle, ask family or friends for help, increase your income or voluntarily surrender the car.
Church grants are forms of financial aid provided by religious organizations to support individuals and families facing financial hardships. These grants can address various needs, including housing, utility bills, medical expenses, and car payments.
If you return the car to the lender in a voluntary repossession, the lender will likely sell it. It will apply the proceeds of the sale to your car loan balance, after reimbursing itself for the costs of sale and certain fees.
Key Takeaways. There aren't any free government debt relief programs for credit card or personal loan debt other than bankruptcy. Many types of government debt relief exist in the form of grants and low-interest loans for specific purposes.
The IRS may agree that you have a financial hardship (economic hardship) if you can show that you cannot pay or can barely pay your basic living expenses. For the IRS to determine you are in a hardship situation, the IRS will use its collection financial standards to determine allowable basic living expenses.
Freedom Debt Relief is a legitimate debt settlement company founded in 2002. It's accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating and holds an accreditation from the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR).