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The difference between a payday loan and a title loan is that a payday loan is designed to last until your next payday, but a title loan requires you to hand over your vehicle title as collateral.

  • Payday loans do not require the applicant to give the lender their vehicle title.
  • Both types of loan are for relatively small sums of money.
  • Neither loan is supposed to be a long term fix.

You never know when you might need to apply for some extra funding due to unexpected financial circumstances arising. With that in mind, it’s important to know the difference between the different types of financial aid available in order to make the most informed decision for yourself.

 

What Is a Payday Loan?

A payday loan is a type of loan whereby the borrower has access to a relatively small sum of money which is designed to last them only until their next payday.

It is supposed to help those who have not budgeted for unexpected circumstances, for example those who have emergency medical bills to pay. It is not designed for frivolous spending or any non-emergency payments.

In order to apply for a payday loan, the borrower will be required to show proof of income, a valid ID and a bank account.

 

What Happens If You Don’t Meet The Repayment Dates?

If you are unable to meet the repayment dates on your loan, it will automatically roll over onto the next month.

When you apply for a payday loan, it is with the understanding that you repay the loan upon receipt of your monthly income. If you fail to do so, the sum will continue into the next month with an additional charge.

In spite of this, most loans are not reported to the credit bureau. This means that taking out a payday loan will usually not impact your credit score.

 

Which States Allow Payday Loans?

Payday loans are permitted in all states across the US with a few exceptions. Payday loans are prohibited in Arkansas, Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, Georgia and Washington DC.

Many states therefore cap the amount at $500 in order to avoid excessive debt collection. Interest rates can vary between $10 and $30 for every $100 borrowed from a payday lender, whilst APRs are often in excess of 400%.

 

Payday and title loans

It is important to know the differences between loan types before applying

 

What Is a Title Loan?

A title loan, like a payday loan, is one which allows the borrower a short time to repay the loan, usually 30 days. In this instance, a title loan is considered a short term loan.

Title loans mean that the borrower must provide the title of their vehicle as collateral.

In order to take out a title loan, you will need to provide a car title, valid ID and proof of insurance.

 

What Happens If You Don’t Meet The Repayment Dates?

If you are unable to meet the repayment dates on your title loan, there is a chance that the lender will repossess your car. There is also a fee of around 25% when taking out a title loan, which is in addition to agreeing to surrender your vehicle title.

It is reported that between 6% and 11% of people who take out a title loan end up having their vehicle repossessed. This will then appear on your credit report and negatively impact your credit score, however if the loan is repaid on time, this will not be reported to the credit bureau.

When you take out a title loan, you will have 30 days to repay it before it rolls over with increased interest and additional fees.

 

Which States Allow Title Loans?

Title loans are currently allowed across 17 states in the US. These are Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and New Mexico, with some other states technically allowing title loans through loopholes.

 

Which Type Of Loan Is Best For Me?

When taking out a loan, it is important to consider many factors. Before making an application, you should always consider whether you will be able to repay your loan within the agreed timeframe.

This means budgeting in order to repay your loan alongside any potential fees or interest that doing so may incur.

In addition to this, it is crucial to weigh up which type of loan you wish to take out. If you do not own a vehicle, you will be unable to take out a title loan because you cannot provide the necessary documentation as collateral.

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Izzy Murphy

Izzy is an expert writer with a wealth of experience in the financial world. Read her articles for useful tips on loans, money and more.

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