Car Title Loans in Hampton, Virginia: What You Need to Know
Do you need money to pay for some bills but are a little short? Did your local bank not approve your loan request because of a poor credit score?
Little bumps like this can be rough, especially if you require financial assistance.
Luckily, there is an easy way to get emergency cash to help you cover those expenses!
Introducing CAR TITLE LOANS (a.k.a auto title loans, pink slip loans, or title pawns)!
In this guide, you will learn the whole step-by-step process of applying for car title loans in the city of Hampton, Virginia!
What is a Car Title Loan?
A car title loan is a short-term loan wherein you surrender your vehicle title to a lender as collateral in exchange for a loan or some sort of financial aid.
Think of it as a fair trade! A lender lends you money; you surrender your vehicle’s title in return. You can only reclaim your vehicle’s title once you repay the loan in full.
Since the car’s title is under a different name, in this case, the lender’s, this means they have FULL CONTROL over your vehicle.
But don’t worry! You can still drive your car as you normally would!
Failure to repay the loan will result in the lender REPOSSESSING YOUR CAR, which means no more car for you!
So, remember to pay back on time!
Why Should I Apply For a Car Title Loan?
Why not? Easy money!
Car title loans are a fast, easy, and convenient way to gain some quick cash for urgent bills or utility expenses!
No more failing to pay rent on time or getting your water or electricity cut off!
The loan process can be accomplished from the comfort of your own home, and you may be approved within one business day!
Unlike local banks, title loans do not require a credit check! This means that anyone is eligible for the loan regardless of credit history!
Your loan proceeds can be used for anything, from bills to groceries to remodeling, but are mostly intended primarily for emergencies.
How to Apply For an Auto Title Loan in Hampton, Virginia
Now that you know how title loans work, let’s go over the steps to apply for one!
In Hampton, car title loans only take a few steps, but before you apply, there are some required documents that you need to prepare.
Basic Documents and Requirements
- A valid, government-issued ID
- Clear vehicle title (meaning the car’s title is under YOUR NAME and not any third party’s)
- Personal information; name, email address, contact information, zip code, etc.)
- Proof of income
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of residence
- Only legal adults (above 18 years old) are eligible to apply.
Step 1: Apply Online
The first step to title loans in Hampton, Virginia, is to apply online!
Simply fill out an online loan application form, and a representative within the day will contact you.
Once submitted, you will be subjected to pending review.
They will also provide you with a pre-approved loan quote and help you find the best lender and come up with the best loan plans.
Luckily, several title loan companies offer their customers competitive rates and secure funding with financial stability!
Step 2: Vehicle Inspection
Your lender will take a look at your vehicle and determine its EQUITY VALUE.
The car’s equity value will determine how much cash you will receive.
The lender will look at your car’s model, make, year, and mileage to determine the equity value and minimum loan amount. This is essentially your pre-approval step.
Pre-approval (or conditional approval) means that the lender is satisfied but NOT QUITE. There may still be extra criteria you need to meet before being fully approved.
Step 3: Claim Money
Once everything is finalized and meets all of the lender’s criteria, you are now ready for final approval and can claim your money!
You can claim your money via direct deposit to your bank account or pick it up directly at any title loan location in Hampton, Virginia!
The best part is you can claim the money within one business day (if you choose direct deposit).
Step 4: Repayment
Hampton title loans do not end with you claiming your money!
The last step, and arguably the most important part of any loan, is REPAYMENT!
Since the lender was able to fulfill their end of the deal by loaning you some money, it is time for you to fulfill your end!
Failure to repay the loan can result in the lender repossessing your car since the title is under their name, and therefore, they have all control!
Here are some tips to prevent late repayment!
- Set aside a separate budget that is strictly for repaying the loan only!
- Avoid unnecessary spending.
- If paying the full amount is too hard, ask if you can break it into smaller payments or installments.
Things to Consider Before Applying for a Car Title Loan in Hampton, Virginia
After reading through the loan application process, you may still be unsure if fast auto loans are the right choice for you.
To help you make a decision, here are a few questions to ask yourself before officially applying!
Can You Pay Back on Time?
Is there anything preventing you from paying back on time?
As mentioned earlier, repayment is a very important step, and if you think you cannot pay, it is best to look at other options.
But of course, it seems a little counterproductive to apply for a loan elsewhere when you eventually have to repay that one too!
If you think you cannot pay back, try looking for other ways to get money, like through part-time jobs or your savings.
How Much Money Do You Need?
Most lenders lend within a range of $100 to $50,000. This may also vary depending on where you borrow from.
Carefully assess your situation to determine how much you actually need.
For example, you may have expenses worth $25,000, but your car’s equity value is only worth $50,000. Where can you get the rest of the money?
If you need more than $50,000, it may be best to look at other alternatives, especially if you cannot pay it back.
Is There No Other Choice?
Is a title loan in Hampton, Virginia, the ONLY OPTION LEFT?
If so, by all means, apply!
If you think there are better, less risky alternatives, it is better to go for those! Look into every alternative possible!
Some possible alternatives may include friends or family, part-time jobs, or traditional bank loans.
Pros and Cons of Auto Title Loans
There are many reasons why people would and would not resort to Hampton title loans!
Here are some pros and cons that Hampton title loans have in store to help you decide if they are the right choice for you!
Pros
Fast Process
Unlike other services that require you to go to a physical office, wait in line, and do a bunch of paperwork, auto title loans are a VERY FAST PROCESS!
The whole application process can be done from your own home and only takes a few minutes to complete, and you can receive your money within 24 hours!
Luckily, there are a lot of trusted companies with convenient service hours who abide by Virginia laws, so rest assured that you will be in good hands!
Credit History is Not an Important Factor
Traditional bank loans or other loans usually require a credit history check.
But NOT TITLE LOANS!
You do not need to undergo a credit check with fast auto loans, as credit is not an important factor in determining eligibility.
Regardless of whether you have high credit or low credit, the lender is willing to adjust and help you come up with the best plan to suit your needs.
Anyone and everyone can apply!
Instead, the most important determining factor is the OVERALL QUALITY of your vehicle.
You Can Still Drive Your Car
If you are worried about your car title not being in your possession, do not worry!
This does not mean that you cannot drive your car! Even if the title is under a different name, you are still free to drive your car as you normally would.
The only time your car would be taken away from you is if you DO NOT PAY BACK THE LOAN ON TIME! The lender has all the rights and control over your car, so they are free to do what they want with it!
Remember to repay on time!
Cons
Expensive Solution
Loans are an EXPENSIVE PROCESS, whether you apply for payday loans, bank loans, or title loans.
One of the reasons people stray away from title loans is the high-interest fees on top of what they have to pay.
There is a chance that your interest rates could be even HIGHER if you have poor credit.
Some title loan services also have hidden or additional fees, and no one likes those! Watch out for these extra fees, or else you will end up having to pay more than you intended.
Possibility of Repossession
As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest risks of title loans is the risk of REPOSSESSION!
This is when the lender, who still has your car’s title, relinquishes the rights to your vehicle and can change ownership of the vehicle.
You may have to say goodbye to your car and the convenience of having one!
Luckily, Virginia title loan laws say that the lender must send the borrower a 10-day notice before repossession. This is your LAST CHANCE TO REPAY!
If you still fail to repay after 10 days, the lender will officially repossess your vehicle and will send you a notice explaining all details.
To prevent repossession, you should make it a top priority to repay the loan on time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Was I Rejected from My Application?
If you were not approved for the loan, it could be for a few reasons. For this case, let’s rule out credit score since we know it is not an important factor.
One possible reason you were rejected could be that your vehicle’s condition was UNSATISFACTORY.
Maybe your vehicle is not well-maintained or worth a lot of money to the lender’s eyes.
Another possible reason is that there could be inaccuracies with your personal data. If the names or other details on certain documents do not match, it could be a reason for rejection.
Lastly, the lender may think you are NOT capable of repaying the loan.
One of the requirements for a title loan is a source of income (or source of funding). If you do not have these or have a low income, the lender may think you do not have the funds to pay the loan back.
When Do I Have to Repay the Loan?
Generally, the standard loan repayment period is for 30-60 days
In the case of Hampton, Virginia, the minimum loan term is 120 days while the maximum loan term is 360 days, which, fortunately, seems like more than enough time to repay the title loan!
If these time frames are still not enough time for you to repay the loan, you can ask your lender for an extension, but doing so will accumulate even more interest.
How Much Can I Get Out of Fast Auto Loans?
Regarding how much exactly you can receive, it depends on the quality of your vehicle!
In Hampton, Virginia, lenders lend a minimum loan amount of $100 and a maximum loan amount of $50,000, so your loan amount should fall within this range, or in some cases, even more!
The important thing to remember is the more well-maintained your vehicle is, the more money you can receive!
How Long Will it Take to Get My Car Title Back?
Once you have repaid the loan in full, you should get your car’s title back IMMEDIATELY.
If you applied for the title loan online, you might have to wait a few days or weeks to receive your car’s title via mail.
If you applied in a physical location, you would receive your title immediately.
Is There a Loan Processing Fee?
NOPE!
Unlike other loans, applying for the loan is FREE!
However, just because there is no loan processing fee does not eliminate the possibility of having to pay additional fees, as mentioned earlier.
Do I Have to Be Employed to Apply?
NOPE!
Employment is not a major requirement for eligibility for the title loan.
If you do not have income, you can tell your lender that you are getting the funds to repay the title loan elsewhere, as long as you can provide proof.
Other possible means of repayment include personal savings, pension, disability benefits, social security, alimony, etc. Some title lenders also partner with lenders to help those with no source of income.
Conclusion
That wraps up our guide on how to apply for a title loan in Hampton, Virginia!
Unlike payday loans or bank loans that require a lot of work, title loans are a very simple, practical and convenient solution for short-term financial problems, especially urgent ones!
Before applying for the loan, make sure to assess your financial situation to see if you can repay the loan!
Keep your vehicle well-maintained, ask your lender many questions, and the process should go smoothly!