Auto title loans are small short-term loans secured by a borrower’s vehicle. The loan amount is usually based on the car’s worth. Additional charges, such as processing fees, may apply and a lump sum payment is usually due at the end of the loan term. The borrower generally keeps possession of the car during the term of the loan but leaves the title with the lender as security for repayment of the loan. The lender may require a copy of the keys to facilitate repossession in the event of default. If the borrower is unable to repay the loan at maturity, the lender frequently renews the loan while introducing additional charges. If the borrower continues to not pay, the lender may repossess the car. Also, rather than making the full payment at the end of the loan term, borrowers may pay the accrued interest and roll over the principal amount into a new loan which may also introduce additional fees to the consumer. Title lenders may also refer to their loans as “sales and leasebacks,” “title pawns,” or “motor vehicle equity lines of credit.”
1.Auto title loans have a typical term of one month and loan sizes range between $600 and $2,500.
2.One survey found that 7 percent of the U.S. population reported using an auto title loan in the past five years (Applied Research and Consulting 2009).