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Secured Car Loans - what you need to know | RateCity

Nick Bendel avatar
Nick Bendel
- 2 min read
Secured Car Loans - what you need to know | RateCity

A secured car loan is a loan for which you offer the lender some sort of security, or collateral.

Generally, that security is the vehicle itself.

The reason a lender will ask for security is so it can recoup its debt if you fail to repay the loan.

In that scenario, the lender would seize your vehicle, sell it and then use the proceeds to settle the debt.

If the proceeds are greater than the amount owing, you would receive the balance.

But if the proceeds are less than the amount owing, you would still be liable for that outstanding debt.

Secured car loans vs unsecured car loans

If you’re unwilling or unable to take out a secured car loan, some lenders will also give you the option of an unsecured car loan.

However, unsecured car loans generally have higher interest rates than secured car loans. Also, if you did default on an unsecured car loan, you would still be liable for the debt.

It’s possible that the lender might then take you to court or that you would be forced to declare bankruptcy. 

So having an unsecured car loan doesn’t magically absolve you of responsibility for failing to repay the loan.

Disclaimer

This article is over two years old, last updated on August 21, 2017. While RateCity makes best efforts to update every important article regularly, the information in this piece may not be as relevant as it once was. Alternatively, please consider checking recent car loans articles.

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