I just had my vehicle repossessed and the loan is now upside down. What happens if I cannot pay what they are asking for?
I just had my vehicle repossed and the loan is now an upside down loan. If I am unable to proved the lender with the amount they have requested to get the vehicle back what happens then? Will they garnish my paycheck? The balance on the loan is like 16,000 for a 2001 jeep grand cherokee larado.
When a vehicle is repossessed, the lender will usually sell the vehicle at auction, then apply the money received at auction to the balance owed on your auto loan. If the lender receives less money at the auction than you still owe on the vehicle, the difference is called a deficiency balance. Generally speaking, you would be liable to the creditor for the deficiency balance, which means you will probably still owe money to the creditor even though you no longer have the vehicle. The creditor may be willing to negotiate a repayment plan or lump-sum settlement with you to repay the deficiency, but if you fail to make arrangements with the creditor, the creditor could sue you to obtain a judgment against you, which could result in wage garnishment, a lien on your property, and/or bank levies, depending on the laws in your state.
Before taking any action regarding this vehicle, I encourage you to consult with a qualified attorney in your area to discuss your state laws relating to automobile deficiency balances (the amount owed after the repossessed vehicle is sold at auction). Laws vary from state to state regarding how finance companies may collect on deficiency balances, and how much they can collect, so it is important that you discuss your situation with an attorney to make sure that you are not being asked to pay money that you are not legally required to pay.
If you are left owing a deficiency balance after your vehicle is sold by the finance company, you will need to work out a plan to repay the debt; if you fail to do so, the creditor may pursue legal action against you to collect the remaining debt. I encourage you to visit the Bills.com Debt Help page for ideas on how to resolve any deficiency balance you may face, as well as any other debts you may have.
I wish you the best of luck in resolving the difficulties you are facing with your vehicle, and hope that the information I have provided helps you Find. Learn. Save.
Best,
Bill
www.Bills.com
Struggling with debt?
Debt is used to buy a home, pay for bills, buy a car, or pay for a college education. According to the NY Federal Reserve total household debt as of Q4 2023 was $17.503 trillion. Auto loan debt was $1.607 trillion and credit card was $1.129 trillion.
According to data gathered by Urban.org from a sample of credit reports, about 26% of people in the US have some kind of debt in collections. The median debt in collections is $1,739. Student loans and auto loans are common types of debt. Of people holding student debt, approximately 8% had student loans in collections. The national Auto/Retail debt delinquency rate was 4%.
Each state has its rate of delinquency and share of debts in collections. For example, in Delaware credit card delinquency rate was 4%, and the median credit card debt was $365.
While many households can comfortably pay off their debt, it is clear that many people are struggling with debt. Make sure that you analyze your situation and find the best debt payoff solutions to match your situation.
