Car Repossession
If you’re behind on your car payments and your creditor is threatening to repossess your car, here are some helpful suggestions.
- Contact your creditor when you realize that you will be late with a payment. Many creditors will work with you to set up a payment plan.
- If you miss a payment or default on your contract in any way, such as letting your insurance coverage lapse, your creditor has the right to repossess your car.
- A voluntary repossession occurs when you return the financed vehicle in an attempt to relinquish your responsibility.
- Your creditor is not required to give you any advance notice before repossessing your car. The creditor or its repossession agent is allowed on your property to seize the vehicle as long as there is not a "breach of the peace."
- If you think your car is in danger of being repossessed, it is a good idea to remove all of your personal items from it as soon as possible. After the vehicle has been repossessed, it can be difficult to get back your things even though the creditor has no legal right to keep them.
- Once your car has been repossessed, your creditor has the right to ask you to pay the late payments plus the cost of repossession. The creditor may also demand that you pay off the balance of the loan in full. You may wish to consult with an attorney for advice on your legal rights.
- If you are not able to pay these costs to get your car back, the creditor has the right to sell it through a public or private sale. You should be notified of the time and place of the sale.
- After the vehicle has been sold, you will be notified by the creditor about whether you still owe money for the "deficiency balance." The deficiency balance is the amount owed after the proceeds from the sale has been applied to your total loan balance.
Remember, it is easier to try to prevent repossession before it happens than to deal with it after the fact. Contact your creditor if you’re concerned that you might miss a payment or you default on your contract.