“Dear Steve,
In october of 2012, I obtained a title loan to assist me with repairing my vehicle because the transmission was going bad. I ended up getting about $600 and ended up repairing it with no problem. Then in november, i was laid off and the car started having issues again. I ended up homeless with a broken car and staying from place to place with friends and family. I have spoken to title max and explained my situation and they gave me a payment arrangement, stating if i didn’t make a payment by dec 15 2012 the vehicle would be repossessed.
I assured them i would do what ever it takes to make the payment and i made it! I also let them know that i didn’t know when i would be able to make another payment given my situation but i would be able to pay them in full once i get my income taxes back on feb. 5 but they said thats to long to wait.
This vehicle is all i have even though it is broken. It is in the shop now until i can afford to repair it which will be with my income taxes also. Until then, the vehicle can’t even drive. The loan is now almost $900 and with the damage to the vehicle it is now worth less than the loan. Being that the vehicle is broken, is there anyway the loan company will forfeit the vehicle???
Kiara”
Dear Kiara,
When you take out a title loan you pledge the car as collateral in case you don’t pay. Title Max can certainly repossess the car if you’ve defaulted. To avoid that from happening you’d need to negotiate a mutually agreeable resolution with them.
While logic might persuade someone to not repossess the car that is worth less than the loan, for lending companies, it’s not a logical process they follow but a policy process. If the process says you are late and when you are they take your car, then they will most likely take your car.
Again, the only way to avoid this would be to work out a suitable arrangement with them directly or file bankruptcy to legally terminate their lien against the car.
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Received a titles loan in 2013 from title max in the amount of $200. I now have a balance of $2700. I have paid $325/month every month since August of 2013. The car has now broken down and the repairs are 10x the value of the car. Should I notify title max? I have paid more than triple the amount I borrowed.
I don’t have the money to pay for the loan any longer, I lost my job and can berly survive financially to support myself. If I give the car back, will they still go after me for other charges or interest. I live in the state of Arizona.
They might but you could always negotiate an agreement with them that handing the car over resolves the debt. Just get it in writing and never lose that paper. For your information, here is a document that shows what the maximum fees in Arizona should be (at the time of publication) http://www.consumerfed.org/pdfs/Resources.CTL.StateLawTermChart12.2.12.pdf
I was promised by a friend if I let her buy the car I had title loan on she wouldn’t be late nor miss a payment.also she gave word on paying the price agreement we agreed on .fully no matter the cars condition.i missed title payment and my apartment due to her not coming up. With her payment now she says she drove to Indiana and it’s in a shop getting fixed.but will not get me an address.now I am up a creek no boat no paddle don’t even know what I’m suppose to do.i should just beat her up.
I’m going with don’t beat her up. Sounds like your friend did not honor her promise for whatever reason and should return the car to you. Otherwise, don’t be surprised when the title loan company comes after you for the car that was promised as collateral. Having her bring the car back is a good solution.