What you should know about unsecured auto loans

Traditionally, loans for big-ticket items — like homes and cars — use the item being purchased as collateral. If the consumer stops making payments, the lender can seize that collateral to cover the unpaid debt.

An unsecured auto loan — or a personal loan used to purchase a car — requires no collateral. Instead, if the borrower can’t pay, creditors can report the default to the credit bureaus and go to court to force collection since there is nothing to be repossessed.

How unsecured car loans work

An unsecured car loan is a personal loan used to purchase a new or used car. Since the loan is unsecured, the lender cannot repossess your car if you stop paying. Instead, the lender can report the default to the credit bureaus and sue you.

On the downside, an unsecured loan’s interest rates and qualification standards are typically higher due to the lack of collateral.

Obtaining an unsecured car loan is similar to applying for a personal loan. You can begin by searching online for lenders and visiting their websites to learn about the application process. Check your current bank and local credit unions to learn whether they offer unsecured loans.

Once you find a lender whose terms and interest rates work for you, submit your application and the required documentation.

Documentation generally includes information about your employment history, income, residence, debts and savings. Lenders will also pull your credit score as part of the application process. Most lenders have minimum score requirements. Lenders often reserve their best interest rates for credit scores from 720 up.

When you’re approved, the lender will usually send you the complete proceeds of the loan. You can then go to the car dealership or private vehicle seller as a cash buyer using your unsecured car loan funds.

Benefits of unsecured car loans

These loan products are quite attractive as they afford the buyer simplicity and flexibility during the car-buying process.

“One of the easiest ways to make that simple for people with excellent credit was for someone not to have to do title and extra paperwork, so they can be a cash buyer,” says Kristin Shuff, senior vice president of marketing for LightStream, an online lender offering personal loans.

She says that buyers can get the money before deciding which car they want to buy. If they change their minds at the eleventh hour and decide on a different car or dealer, they don’t need the lender to cut another check.

“It really gives the client flexibility,” Shuff says. “If a consumer could get a better rate and less paperwork and more flexibility, that’s a win-win for them.”

Downsides of unsecured car loans

Though these loans offer convenience and less fear of repossession, they do have downsides compared to the traditional secured auto loan.

• These loans often come with higher interest rates since they are riskier for the lender.
• You may only qualify for a shorter loan term, which could make the monthly loan payments affordable.
• The lender could sue you to recoup the unpaid balance if you fall behind on loan payments.

Where to get larger unsecured loans

Many lenders make five-figure unsecured loans to consumers who qualify. Check with a bank or credit union you currently do business with before moving on to compare other lenders.

For example, LightStream offers unsecured auto loans of $5,000 up to $100,000. For those who sign up for autopay, rates range from 7.99 percent to 16.44 percent as of October 2023. And PNC Bank makes unsecured loans of up to $35,000.

CreditDirect is another option to secure an unsecured auto loan. It’s a loan marketplace that partners with lenders offering loans of up to $40,000 to borrowers from varying credit backgrounds.

Typically, unsecured loans of this size should be reserved for cars you can’t finance with a secured loan. These can include collectibles and antiques.

Credit score requirements vary with the borrower, their circumstances and the loan, but applicants should have credit scores above 680, Shuff says. “The score is not as important to us,” she says. “We look at income and assets.”

Secured car loans are easier to get

Qualifying for an unsecured loan generally requires:

• A solid credit score
• A borrowing history that shows a track record of consistent, on-time payments
• A reliable source of income

Secured car loans require providing collateral to obtain approval. The lender keeps the car title until the loan is paid in full.

Banks generally offer better interest rates and more flexibility on qualification for secured loans because the car acts as collateral, says James Kendrick, vice president of accounting and capital policy for the Independent Community Bankers of America. The bank can more easily recoup its funds if the borrower defaults.

“It allows more buying power,” he says.

The bottom line

Using an unsecured personal loan can provide buyers who have excellent credit with flexibility during the car shopping process. If you change your mind about which car you want to buy, you won’t need to revise your application with the lender.

If you’re considering an unsecured loan, do your research first to learn more about the interest rates and terms associated with this form of financing.