If you've missed a payment on your car loan, don't panic — but do act fast. Two or three consecutive missed payments can lead to repossession, which damages your credit score. And some lenders have adopted technology to remotely disable cars after even one missed payment.
Repossession can begin anytime after the loan is in default. Most lenders won't start repossession unless no payments have been made for 60–90 days. At that point, they can take the car at any time, without notice, and can come onto your property to do so.
California law permits cars to be repossessed after one late or missed loan payment. Cars may be repossessed after missed insurance payments as well. There is no legally required grace period, and the repossession company doesn't have to give you notice that they are repossessing your car.
Car Loan Payment Grace Period
Grace periods for a car loan will vary depending on the lender, but most banks give a 10-day grace period before counting a payment as late. After that, you'll likely incur a late fee.
Once in default, most states allow the lender to repossess your car without notice. And while that means a lender can technically repossess the car after a single missed payment, it's more probable that the repossession will happen after you've missed multiple payments.
If you've missed a payment on your car loan, don't panic — but do act fast. Two or three consecutive missed payments can lead to repossession, which damages your credit score. And some lenders have adopted technology to remotely disable cars after even one missed payment.
In line with the 'thirds rule', if you've paid more than half of your hire purchase loan, your car finance repossession rights take effect, and your lender cannot repossess your vehicle without following the proper processes. However, you can return your vehicle to the dealership at any point after you've paid half.
Submitting payments every two weeks on your vehicle instead of monthly can also help you pay off the loan a little earlier. By paying half of your monthly payment every two weeks, you end up making a total of 26 payments per year, which is equivalent to making 13 monthly payments in one year rather than 12.
You can avoid repossession by reinstating or refinancing the loan, selling/surrendering your car, or contacting your lender to ask for other options. If you're having issues handling your car loan or other debt, bankruptcy might be a good option for you.
In most cases, lenders are more than willing to work with you so you don't default on the loan. You may be able to work out a one-time partial payment or a payment plan that allows you to catch up over time. A lender may also allow you to take a payment deferral, which means you won't have to pay your loan for a month.
Will I go to Jail If I Hide my Car From the Repo Man? If your lender has received a court order compelling you to turn over the vehicle, then yes, you could go to jail if you disobey the court (often called “contempt of court”).
Your car could be repossessed.
After repossessing a car, the lender typically sells it at auction to recoup the money you owe on the loan. If the sale doesn't net enough money to pay off your loan, however, the lender may turn to you for the rest of the money or even sue you to get it.
Tips. Paying off a repossession can help your credit score since it reduces debt owed, and you may be able to get the item removed from your credit report. However, the significance of impact on your score depends on your credit history and profile and whether you take a settlement.
Call the bank and ask to speak to a loan officer or supervisor who has the authority to negotiate with you. Heaps recommends being proactive in calling as soon as you realize you are at risk of repossession, which typically happens when you have missed at least one payment.
Enter the Repo Man
This involves using online databases to find evasive debtors. Occasionally, they use some old-fashioned detective work in the form of door knocking or phone calling. They might even use informants — an estranged spouse looking to get even, for example — who tell repo men where to find a car.
So, the repo agent can't use, or threaten to use, force or violence. It can't break locks or destroy or damage property in attempting to reach the car. If the repo agent breaks into your garage to take the truck, that is breaching the peace.
Each month, a portion of your car payment goes to the principal and a portion to interest. At the beginning of the loan, a larger part of your payment goes to interest. So paying extra on the principal early in your loan will have the greatest impact on the overall amount of interest you pay.
If you financed your car with a Personal Contract Purchase loan and you've already paid off at least 50% of the amount owing, you can hand it back to the lender. Keep in mind that this 50% figure also includes fees and interest.
Voluntarily surrendering your vehicle may be slightly better than having it repossessed. Unfortunately, both are very negative and will have a serious impact on your credit scores.
Expect your credit score to drop anywhere from 50 to 150 points, depending on other credit factors. That's not to say you should sit back and let your lender take your car. You might still be able to make arrangements with them.
The repossession stays on your Experian, Equifax and TransUnion credit reports and lowers your credit score, even if you get the car back, unless you get it removed from your records.
For hidden cars and even for some vehicles parked at great distances from a subject's typical haunts, a repo agent might use an electronic detector to track down a vehicle for repossession. These days, many lenders require that all new vehicles be equipped with such devices.
Some car dealers install GPS tracking devices on cars they sell. These trackers show the repo man exactly where your car is at all times. This means that if you miss one payment, the repo man might be able to track you down immediately to repossess your car.