What you can do if upside down on loan
Get rid of your debt faster with debt relief
Choose your debt amount
Or speak to a debt consultant 844-731-0836
We are going through a separation and divorce and have a mini van that we can't afford to keep. Is there a way to negotiate a
We are going through a separation and divorce and have a mini van that we can't afford to keep. We are upside down on the loan to value and still have 3 years left on the loan. Is there a way to negotiate a settlement with the credit union to return the vehicle, or what is the procedure if we stopped making the payments? We have never been late or missed any payments in 3 years.What are our options, because we can't afford to keep making payments at this point?
Your question, about being upside down on your auto loan, is one that I am seeing quite frequently... so you are not alone. Essentially, it will boil down to a trade off between your credit score and how much you want to save. I believe that calling your credit union and trying to negotiate a payoff balance is certainly your best first step... but it is unlikely that they won't take the normal course of action which is to repossess (either a voluntary repo, where you hand over the van, or an involuntary repo) the auto and then to collect on the deficiency balance after the mini-van is sold.
If the creditor ends up repossessing it, the creditor will likely sell the car at auction. Once the vehicle is sold, you will probably be responsible for the current amount owed on your loan, less the money received at auction. This remaining debt is called a "deficiency balance". Given the fact that the vehicle is relatively new, meaning you probably still owe a fair amount of the original loan, you could end up owing a large deficiency balance, possibly as much as $10,000 or more. Once the creditor has sold the vehicle and determined the deficiency balance, it can begin collection efforts on the account like any other unsecured debt (since you would no longer have the car, the debt would be considered unsecured). You would likely receive calls from collection agencies attempting to collect on the account. In a worst case scenario, the creditor could sue you to obtain a judgment against you, which could result in bank levies, a lien on your property, and/or wage garnishment depending on the laws in your state. Some states restrict a creditor's ability to collect on deficiency balances, so I encourage you to consult with an attorney licensed to practice law in your area to discuss the implications of vehicle repossession under your state law before you decide how to proceed.
Generally speaking, allowing a vehicle to be repossessed can be a bad idea. You will probably be stuck with a deficiency balance plus you will lose the use of the car. In almost all cases, I discourage consumers from allowing their vehicles to be repossessed, as a repossession frequently causes a consumer's financial difficulties to worsen rather than improve. The repo will also dramatically impact your credit rating... so decide what is best for you.
I recommend that you try to borrow the money your bank, credit union, or friends and family, to pay it off. Maybe you can refinance your home and pay off the balance of the loan.
If you want an introduction to pre-screened mortgage lenders, Bills.com makes it easy to compare mortgage offers and different loan types. Please visit the loan page and find a loan that meets your needs at:
To read more about auto refinance loans, I encourage you to visit the Bills.com website.
I wish you the best of luck in resolving your dispute with your auto finance company, and hope that the information I have provided helps you Find. Learn. Save.
Best,
Bill
www.Bills.com
Get rid of your debt faster with debt relief
Take the first step towards a debt-free life with personalized debt reduction strategies.
Choose your debt amount
Or speak to a debt consultant 844-731-0836
Did you know?
Debt is used to buy a home, pay for bills, buy a car, or pay for a college education. According to the NY Federal Reserve total household debt as of Q1 2024 was $17.69 trillion. Auto loan debt was $1.62 trillion and credit card was $1.12 trillion.
According to data gathered by Urban.org from a sample of credit reports, about 26% of people in the US have some kind of debt in collections. The median debt in collections is $1,739. Student loans and auto loans are common types of debt. Of people holding student debt, approximately 8% had student loans in collections. The national Auto/Retail debt delinquency rate was 4%.
Collection and delinquency rates vary by state. For example, in Oregon, 15% have student loan debt. Of those holding student loan debt, 8% are in default. Auto/retail loan delinquency rate is 2%.
To maintain an excellent credit score it is vital to make timely payments. However, there are many circumstances that lead to late payments or debt in collections. The good news is that there are a lot of ways to deal with debt including debt consolidation and debt relief solutions.
