Using A Cosigner for your used car loan

Editor Loan Lenders- Loan advices June 11, 2016

Using A Cosigner

Sometimes buyers, who are ineligible to sign a loan contract because they are under age, need a cosigner for a used car loan. The cosigning procedure is a big step for both parties. A cosigner is legally required to assume all the obligations of a loan if the borrower does not fulfill the contract. In most states, if the borrower misses one payment, the creditor can collect from the cosigner immediately without contacting the borrower first. Also, the lender is permitted to use all collection methods against the cosigner such as law suits and garnishment of wages. In addition, the amount of the debt may be increased by late charges and attorney fees.

When people cannot make loan payments, they often decide to let the financial institution have the car. The borrower hopes to end all responsibility for the loan. However, when the financial institution repossesses a car, it attempts to sell it and apply the proceeds to pay off the loan. But the sale amount may not be sufficient to cover the balance owed. In that case, if the cash price of a car financed in Indiana was over $3,100; the original borrower and the cosigner may receive a deficiency judgment which would force repayment of the difference. All of these events will have an adverse effect on the borrower’s credit history and may damage the cosigner’s credit record as well. In cases where parents are cosigning for their children, perhaps the peril is not so great, but there is still some risk.