If you need a title loan you may get a little confused on the steps so this guide will assist you with the proper steps.
There are three basic “business models” for title loans:
1) Totally virtual – (no brick n mortar locations for you to drive up to)
2) Brick n Mortar – (they have a store)
3) Hybrid companies – (they do everything out of a main control center but then you either go to a store or go to a broker location to sign and get the money).
All three business models for title loan lenders have the approximate same amount of things you will need to produce:
REQUIRED IN MOST CASES:
- Your title in your name
- Some references including phone numbers and addresses (usually a combination of both personal and business)
- Income verification (like paycheck stubs or bank statements)
- Proof of residency (usually a mail piece – unopened – with your name on the address – OR – a government approved ID like a drivers license)
- An actual application from their company which is usually found online or they will give a part app title loan application online and have the full one when almost approved.
SOMETIMES ASKED FOR:
Proof of insurance
Bank information
USUAL VERIFICATION
- Let’s start out with the assumption that you filled out the application online (like the one on our site which is universal)…
- They need to determine the amount they can loan you first because some people do not have cars that have any value. Once they do THAT then…
- They will call you and go over the rates, terms, payments, documents needed (see above) and how to send them to them (usually via a fax or email) then…
- Once they get them, they will then send them to “underwriting” which is a fancy term for checking the validity of the documents. Usually very fast – like under an hour. then…
- They will call you and tell you that you are officially approved AND the money is ready for you. then…
- Go get it and you are done.
WHATS NEXT AFTER YOU GET THE MONEY
You will make payments and there are just a couple types but plenty of ways:
Some larger more established companies like 800LoanMart will already have an online account established for you. just like a bank account. You can go online and pay many ways.
Some smaller companies will not and then you will either (depending on the type of title loan lender) have to:
- Go into their store
- Do an automatic bank draft
- Go to Western Union and pay there
- Send in a check
WHEN YOU HAVE MADE YOUR LAST PAYMENT AND YOU ARE DONE…
You will NOT just get your old title back immediately. It may take a while to make sure your past payment cleared. You will get a letter from them releasing the lien on the title just like a bank would. You will have to bring that document to the DMV if you want a fresh title again OR just use the title they give you with their name on the lienholder which is perfectly fine. They will sign off on the title so it’s legal.
That’s all there is. simple right? This is why title loans are so popular. Takes a few hours to get funded and simple to pay back.