Getting an auto or car loan helps you acquire an automobile when you cannot afford to purchase one outright. This is very convenient for those without the financial means to do so. You can go about it in several ways. One way is to get auto loans from Empower Federal Credit Union, a reliable entity that can offer you auto loans at reasonable rates.
The essence of an auto loan is to provide you with the funding necessary to own a car, at least until you complete the necessary payments within the required time or sooner. Of course, the lender holds onto the car title until you complete paying off the loan. The lender has the right to repossess the car if you fall behind on your repayments.
Besides credit unions, banks and online lenders at dealerships are the other sources of auto loans. You’ll need to be approved after applying for your loan, and this could take a few minutes or a few days, depending on your unique situation. Your credit history is a key factor here, helping determine the interest rate offered on your auto loan. If you have a good credit report, you’ll likely get your auto loan approved quickly and with a better interest rate.
Once the lender approves your auto loan application, you can then look for a car of your choice. Once you find one, you can then submit a more detailed application involving information about your citizenship, residence, and other relevant documents.
Some lenders offer pre-approved loans, meaning your application and verification of information are done beforehand. It’s crucial to shop around for the best offer when applying for your auto loan. Be careful about relying on car dealerships for your auto loan. They tend to have higher rates and fees compared to, say, credit unions.
After purchasing a car, your lender will send you a payment book and all their information. This can be done online or through the mail. Usually, the lender will request you to set up an online account. Some lenders have a system to enable them to withdraw payments automatically each month from your paycheck. In exchange, they will offer you a discount on your interest rate.
You’ll then need to provide proof of insurance coverage to your lender. This can be done automatically; once you’ve included the car on your policy, you can then provide the lender’s information to your insurance provider. The insurance company can then send all the verification details to the lender.
It’s crucial to understand certain terms before you begin the whole auto loan application, and this helps you to understand the whole process better:
- Annual Percentage Rate (APR): APR is the cost of borrowing money each year, the amount you have to pay. This amount includes lender’s fees if any, and it is expressed as a percentage. Your credit history and credit report are crucial here, helping to determine the APR you’ll receive.
- Interest rate: Interest rates are very similar to APR, the difference being that there are no loan fees included. Endeavor to use the APR when comparing loan offers from multiple lenders. This gives a much more accurate picture because fees can vary from one lender to another.
- Loan term: This refers to the timeframe you have to pay off the auto loan. Previously, the average loan term for auto loans was 60 months, and now it’s usually in the 72- month range. These tend to occur in 12-month increments. Industry experts advise that you don’t take an auto loan for longer than 60 months for new cars. Thirty-six months is a convenient loan term for used cars. The longer your loan term, the more interest the lender charges you for the loan.
- Principal amount: This is the initial agreed-upon amount of money you need to pay the lender, not including interest.
- Loan-to-value ratio (LTV): This is a way for the lender to gauge the risk of issuing an auto loan to a customer. It is calculated as the auto loan divided by the value of the car as assessed by the lender. The LTV has a significant bearing on the interest rate offered and whether or not your loan will get approved.
- Down payment: This is the sum of money you’re required to pay upfront as part of the car’s price, and it lowers your total loan.
All in all, look out for your best interest. This means taking an auto deal that works best for your situation. Lenders will present several options, some more tempting than others. With a solid knowledge of how auto loans work, you can choose something that doesn’t increase your financial burden. click here for more articles.
