You have prepared for a credit card bill that you must pay on the due date. It skips your mind that you must pay the car loan payment.
Liabilities like- utilities bills, rent, credit card, and car payments leave little flexibility to pay bills comfortably. It leads to missing payments, high penalties, low credit scores, and high interest costs. So, how can you avoid it all? You can do that by getting a debt consolidation loan. It is a way to merge your debts into a single monthly payment. Sounds interesting? Let's understand how you can get it and use it to improve your credit score.
What is a debt consolidation loan for bad credit?
Bad credit debt consolidation is merging pending high-interest debts into a single monthly instalment. It can be a secured or unsecured loan, depending on the amount requirements and affordability. With a debt consolidation loan, you roll up all your pending debts into a new loan. It means instead of worrying about multiple payments, you pay one.
Moreover, the interest rate on debt consolidation loans is lower than that on credit cards. Hence, it helps you save money on interest, the monthly instalment amount, and the total payable amount. Thus, it is an ideal arrangement for the one struggling to pay multiple debts and wants to streamline finances.
Why is it challenging to get a consolidation loan with a bad credit history?
Most loan providers consider individuals with a bad credit score irresponsible and careless with finances. The pending loan payments, missed payments, CCJs, and bankruptcy increase the unreliability on the financial front. They consider it a major risk to the loan repayments and predict default possibilities. It is the reason individuals struggle to qualify for the loan.
However, you may get debt consolidation loans in the UK for a bad credit score. Some loan providers consider financial profiles with poor money management and status. You may qualify, but with competitive interest rates and terms. You may be charged one to balance the possibilities of loan defaults. Moreover, high interest rates also limit the amount one can borrow on a loan. It is generally less than what one may get with a good credit score.
How to get a debt consolidation loan with a bad credit score?
If you have bad credit, taking steps to improve your situation is important. Understand your pending debts and what you can pay. It will reduce the liabilities on the payments and boost your credit score. Also, report the delinquencies and errors to credit agencies. It is if you encounter a bill that you know nothing about.
Updating your credit report with the latest information and no incorrect information improves your credit score. It may help you fetch a loan easily than applying without doing so. Here are other ways that may help you get a debt consolidation loan despite a bad credit history:
1) Check whether consolidation helps
Identifying the benefits of a consolidation loan is important. It is not ideal if it does not help you save money or reduce your liabilities. It is ideal to consolidate debts on long-term loans and financial facilities.
If the loan is about to get over, then you may not benefit from it much. Still, you can use a debt consolidation calculator to understand the amount you can save. It may not tell you the exact amount you may save, but the approximate one. Accordingly, you can choose to proceed or withdraw.
2) How much can you pay on a new loan?
After knowing the approximate amount you can save, check your affordability. Determine how much you can comfortably repay on a new loan. A debt consolidation loan is a fresh loan with new terms. You don’t need to follow the previous agreement, then. The loan provider offers an agreement listing the terms and costs.
Identify whether you can repay the dues, given your current financial status. If not, borrow a lower amount than what was requested. It reduces your liabilities and helps you clear debts without overstretching your budget.
3) Try to fetch the lowest APR loan
It is important to understand that a debt consolidation loan can be expensive. It is due to the high APR, interest, and other loan costs. It is thus your responsibility to compare the best quotes that you may get in the market. Check exclusively with the bad credit loan providers.
It improves your chances of getting a quick approval at comparatively low interest rates. You may also check very bad credit loans with no guarantor from a direct lender online. It helps if you have a good running income, but you need help managing debts. You don’t need a guarantor if you meet the affordability criteria.
Also, identify the hidden costs (if any) on the loan. It may increase the loan liabilities significantly.
4) Provide a guarantor or co-sign it
If you struggle to qualify for the loan due to poor financial management and a low credit score, a guarantor may help. He should be someone with a sound credit score and income. The person may help you fetch better rates on a loan and a higher amount.
It eventually reduces the cash liabilities on the loan. Moreover, if you cannot pay, the guarantor is responsible for repaying the dues. It thus relieves you a little of the financial uncertainties and their impact on the loan repayments.
Alternatively, you can co-sign a loan with your life partner or someone reliable with finances. It helps you split the responsibilities, and this increases the chance of getting a loan with a bad credit score. Here, you will be equally responsible for the payments.
5) Consider a secured finance option
It is an option for individuals with bad credit history and low income. If you want a higher amount but cannot qualify due to low credit and income, pledge an asset. The asset’s value should be higher than what you need for the loan payments.
Staking one helps you fetch a higher amount at significantly low interest rates. It is because the asset acts as a security for loan repayments. If you don’t pay or default on the loan, the creditor may seize the asset.
6) Reduce monthly expenses
Yes, working on your monthly costs may help you a little. It reduces your utility ratio and helps you fetch better terms on the loan. Eliminate the extra expenses and stick to necessities.
Bottom line
These are some of the best ways to qualify for a debt consolidation loan despite a bad credit score. Identify how the loan may help you and how much money you can save. It will help you choose the right loan terms and the amount to borrow. Compare and fetch the loan quote with the lowest interest and APR.
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