Special article brought to you by Wasatch Peaks Credit Union

Feeling Stuck in Your Car Loan?

While some bills can’t be changed, with a little legwork, other bills can and make a big difference in your monthly payment. Refinancing your vehicle loan can lead to a lower monthly payment, a shorter payment term, or both! Here are three common life changes that may mean it’s a good time to refinance your vehicle.

1. YOUR CREDIT RATING IMPROVES

The biggest factor in determining your auto loan status is your credit score. When your lender builds a loan package, they pull a credit report as a central part of that process. That number determines your interest rate, whether you’ll pay an insurance premium, and what other fees your lender might charge.

Keep a copy of the documents your lender pulled. This way you see if your credit score has improved. Just nine months of steady repayment can boost your credit score, resulting in a less costly loan.

If you didn’t have much credit history when you purchased, refinancing can do you a world of good. Interest rates as high as 18% are common for new borrowers. Just a few months of solid payments may cut that rate in half.

2. YOU DIDN’T SHOP AROUND INITIALLY

Many people feel railroaded throughout the car-buying process. They choose a car, and then are told the price, the monthly payment and everything else.

Dealers usually have a smaller range of lenders with whom they exclusively work. Those lenders have limited exposure to competition, so they can charge higher fees and rates. Do your own comparison shopping and look into preapprovals. Dealer rates can be 1 to 1.5% higher than those offered at smaller lenders, like credit unions.

If you’ve never shopped around for a car loan, it’s worth doing now. Do your shopping inside a 15-day period, though; multiple checks on your credit could negatively impact your credit score.

3. YOU NEED TO CHANGE YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENT

Your financial situation may have improved since you bought the car and you can now afford to pay more per month. You’ll save money in the long term by doing just that. Shorter-term loans usually have lower interest rates. Also, you’ll pay off the overall balance on your car faster.

If money is tight, consider refinancing for a longer term. Although you’ll pay more in interest, you’ll reduce your monthly payment and save the money you need now. You may also be able to reduce the monthly payment if your credit score has improved, interest rates have dropped or if you’re getting a better rate from another lender.

If you’re thinking of refinancing your auto loan, we can help. For information on our low rates and great benefits, contact our specialists at 801-627-8700 or visit your local Wasatch Peaks branch.