Title Loans in Shoreline, WA: All the Essential Information
Cash loans are a great option to consider when running short on funds. Throughout America, title loans are becoming more and more popular.
If you’re from the Shoreline, WA area and need instant cash, getting a car title loan could be an excellent way to get some financial assistance.
However, securing and returning borrowed money can be tricky, especially if you don’t have the necessary information.
This article aims to help give you that information so you can make the best decision about getting a car title loan in Shoreline, Washington.
Defining a Car Title Loan
Title loans are a specific kind of money lending where the lender gives the debtor the loan amount in exchange for the legal title of a vehicle to be used as collateral.
In the case of car title loans, your vehicle is the collateral.
The title loan providers will be your car’s legal owner for the duration of the loan. You will still be able to use your car as only the vehicle title is needed.
The vehicle title will be returned to you when the debt has been settled.
However, if you cannot return the money to the title loan lenders at the given pay period, they may repossess your vehicle.
On the upside, car title loans in Shoreline, WA are pretty easy to apply for and secure.
Unlike loans from other financial institutions, such as banks, a car title loan isn’t complicated. Plus, for the most part, there’s no credit check, making things easier for some.
Car title loans are also known as auto title loans.
What You Need to Know
While applying for a car title loan in Shoreline, WA is relatively simple, knowing more about the matter can help make better decisions.
Read on for more important information related to car title loans.
Interest Rates
Specific rates for Shoreline auto title loans will vary depending on your chosen provider, but generally, a car title loan will have high interest.
Even minimum loan amounts come with high rates. For this reason, a car title loan would work best as a short-term loan.
It might be worth looking at an auto title loan if there’s an emergency and you need to quickly pay. An urgent bill from a hospital, for example, might require instant cash.
It’s worth noting that high interest on a loan’s cost hurts the pockets, so it is not a long-term solution for financial troubles.
You could get buried in debt AND lose your vehicle title, so be careful.
Equity
If you break it down monetarily, equity is the amount of the car you own versus the amount the lenders “own” via the loan.
Lenders need to appraise the vehicle based on its make, model, condition, and style to determine the loan amount an applicant will be granted.
Once you have the estimated value, you can subtract the loan amount applied for or the minimum loan amount applicable from it.
The resulting difference is what the car’s equity is.
For example, your car’s appraised value is $30,000, and the loan amount is $10,000. The equity is $20,000, which is how much of the vehicle you own.
Knowing your car’s equity is important because it helps you keep track of your finances as regards the loan.
Repayment
Deciding which of the best car title loans in Shoreline, Washington is for you may ultimately depend on your ability to repay the debt.
Your loan agent from Shoreline, WA should have different payment plans from which you can choose.
Most will offer either a single payment option or in installments over time.
Remember that it’s best to treat your car title loan in Shoreline as a short-term loan, so if you can make a one-time payment, try to go for that.
Otherwise, if you’re opting for the installment plan, having your bank account set to make a direct deposit every time payments are up is a good tip for title loans.
It’s also good to look for hidden fees to know precisely where your money will go.
In addition, with some lenders, it is possible to pay in advance. Customer service agents can let you know if they welcome this or have penalties.
Defaulting
Failure to pay your car title loan will result in you defaulting.
As your car is the collateral, this could mean that you have to surrender it to the lenders at the loan agency location.
They may opt to repossess your vehicle and sell it off to make their money back instead of collecting your outstanding balance in cash.
However, this is not always the case, as some lenders make rollovers possible.
A rollover will result in you entering a new loan contract on top of the remaining balance.
This is not advisable as it tends to be more severe on your bank account.
And though it may not result in bad credit or affect your credit history, it will always be better to be debt-free.
Payday Loans vs. Car Title Loans
If you need fast cash for an emergency or other immediate commitments, payday and car title loans can both be considered as they have many similarities.
We’re comparing the two in this section to help you decide which direction to go.
Defining Payday Loans
Like auto title loans, payday loans are also SHORT-TERM loans, typically needing to be paid in two to four weeks.
In terms of the amount you can borrow, lenders generally grant you up to $500.
Also, the interest rates are relatively high, similar to a car title loan in Shoreline, WA. Expect the fees to go from $10-$30 with every hundred dollars you owe.
Lenders also usually DO NOT run a credit check on applicants, so having bad credit will not matter much when seeking approval.
To secure a payday loan, simply go to the loan agency location and apply. Once approved, you’ll need to issue a check for the loan amount plus the lender’s fees.
Alternatively, you may authorize your loan provider to collect the total amount owed from your bank account via digital means.
If you are unable to repay on time, your provider may use either the check or authorization to collect your debt.
A payday loan may also be referred to as a cash advance loan.
Difference From Car Title Loans
Though they have similarities, car title loans in Shoreline, WA and payday loans have critical differences in loan terms that you need to note.
The prime difference is the requirement of collateral. A car title loan needs your vehicle title to be granted, whereas a payday loan needs none.
This requirement affects their next crucial difference: the amount you can loan.
A payday loan typically only offers up to $500, but with a car title loan, lenders will base it on the value of your vehicle as well as your ability to repay.
Providers of car title loans in Shoreline, WA may advise you to get the lowest amount you need because of the high interest, but the amount can go up to five figures.
Though you can get more money from a title loan, there is a more considerable risk of loss.
Using your vehicle as collateral means, you are risking your ownership of that asset. This risk does not exist with cash advance loans.
Which One Is the Loan for Me?
Getting into debt is never ideal, but when emergencies arise, it’s good to know solutions are available.
When choosing which loan is best for you, consider the situation you’re trying to resolve.
A payday loan will probably be the better choice if you need a relatively small amount to get by.
Use the money and pay off just around or lower than the amount you can get from the loan. Previous utility bills that need to be taken care of are a good example.
However, securing a title loan might be the way to go if you need a more substantial amount to hold you over.
If your car has equity, you are more likely to get a good deal from providers of a title loan in Shoreline, WA.
Just be sure to understand that you risk losing your vehicle should you end up defaulting.
Is Credit History Important?
Auto title loans are very accessible to a wide variety of applicants because, for most providers, having bad credit will not affect approval.
Some lenders may run a credit check, but it is mainly to understand better your ability to repay.
Credit history will usually not be a factor in granting your loan, but whether you are eventually able or unable to settle the debt may affect your current standing.
Instead, it is more important to show title loan providers proof that you have a steady and reliable source of income.
This affects the approval of your loan application more than past credit decisions you’ve made.
How to Apply for Car Title Loans in Shoreline, Washington
If you decide to apply for the best title loans in Shoreline, WA, we have made a list of steps to guide you through the process.
Am I Qualified to Get Title Loans?
A person is qualified to get a title loan if:
- They are at least 18 years of age.
- They have a steady source of income.
- Their name is on the vehicle’s title intended to be used as collateral.
What Are the Requirements?
If you fulfill the qualifications enumerated above, congratulations! You are one step closer to securing title loans.
The next step is to ready the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. These are:
- A government-issued ID: Lenders need to know the basic information in official IDs to process your application.
- Proof of income: A stable source of income is needed to determine your ability to repay the loan. This can come in the form of monthly income proofs.
- A lien-free vehicle title: To secure a title loan, your collateral must be free from any attached debts. However, some lenders approve applications regardless of it.
- Other documents lenders may require from you include SSN, personal mail to prove residency, and proof of insurance.
Do note that these requirements may vary depending on the title loan provider you choose.
The documents we mentioned are the basic ones that most lenders need to see.
Applying for Title Loans
Once you’re sure that you are qualified and have access to the necessary documents, it’s time to apply for your title loan.
Now, each provider may do things a little bit different from the next, but you can expect it to go more or less as follows:
1: Decide Which Lender You’ll Go For
The first step is to choose from the many providers of title loans in the Shoreline area.
Whether the deciding factor is the convenience of the loan agency location or if you heard that a specific lender makes sure their employees’ pay is fair, it is up to you.
However, ensure that your chosen lender provides title loans with terms that suit your needs and capabilities.
Do your research diligently so you can get the best deal out there, as the stakes are high with car title loans.
Once you’ve decided on the lender, it’s time to take the next step in securing your loan.
2: Ready and Deliver the Requirements
Depending on the lender you’ve chosen, requirements for title loans may differ.
While the ones listed above should cover the primary documents that most providers will look for, it is better to make sure you have everything they require.
You can check your chosen lender’s website, call one of their loan agents, or drop by their office to get a complete list. You can avoid delays this way.
In some cases, they will ask for a reference so the lender can check your reputation and develop confidence in you as a borrower.
When you have gathered all the necessary documents, you can proceed to the loan agency location and begin the application properly.
Your loan agent will get you started and walk you through the application for title loans.
They will ask you for the documents needed to move the process forward, and you simply have to hand them over.
3: Vehicle Inspection
Like what was mentioned earlier, car title loans heavily rely on the condition of your vehicle to determine the amount that can be lent to you.
Your vehicle will be inspected and evaluated for factors such as make, model, the year it was manufactured, and its state or quality.
If you have made any styling changes to the interior or exterior of the vehicle, this may also be taken into consideration by the provider.
It is advised that your car be neat when you present it for car title loans to give a more pleasing impression during the inspection.
4: Processing and Approval
After your vehicle is inspected, your provider will finalize your loan amount.
You will also need to decide which payment option will work best for you.
After these details have been agreed upon, it’s time to simply stand by and wait for the application to go through.
Usually, you only need to wait for about an hour to get approval for title loans.
Stay at the loan agency location so you can quickly help the loan provider if they need to verify anything with you.
They may need to ask you more things about the vehicle or the documents you presented or check with your reference.
Otherwise, the lender will let you know if it will take longer so you can go about the rest of your day.
5: Receive Your Loan
If your loan is approved, congratulations!
Depending on the loan amount, with some title loans, providers can give you the cash upfront or credit it to your bank account digitally.
If you opt for receiving cold cash, please remember to be cautious!
6: Device Installation
As title loans require your vehicle as collateral, some lenders will ask to install a GPS or a starter interrupt device on it.
This is a safety measure practiced by the lenders should they need to repossess a vehicle in cases when a borrower defaults on their loan.
Some will ask for duplicates of keys or will duplicate it themselves as well.
Clear up these details with your provider so you can still comfortably use your vehicle for the loan duration.
Online Title Loans in Shoreline, WA
Apart from the face-to-face applications, there are other ways to secure title loans and get cash. App Store searches on iPhones even show mobile apps for title loans.
Having the option of online loans makes it significantly more convenient for borrowers because it eliminates the need to make a trip to the loan agency location physically.
You can be on your couch and easily apply online. Instant cash can be wired to your bank account instantly.
For the most part, there are no differences between online lenders and a direct lender as the providers offering title loans have extended their services digitally.
Regarding the online application system and process, you must submit soft copies of the necessary documents to their website.
You would also need an existing bank account as the money will be wired to you there.
Conclusion
If you have immediate cash needs, car title loans might be a good option because you can get the money within a day.
You need to surrender your vehicle’s title to serve as collateral for the loan, but you can still use your car for the duration of the loan.
Some downsides include the high interest rates and the risk of losing your vehicle.
Shoreline, Washington has a lot of lenders for you to choose from based on your needs.
Good luck with your application!