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Car loan refinancing can help you save a lot of money. By refinancing your existing loan you can get a lower car loan APR and change your repayment period. But when you choose to refinance, will it affect your credit score? Here’s what happens to your credit score when you refinance a car.How are credit scores calculated? Credit scores are three digit numbers that are designed to tell lenders how likely you are to repay your debts. They indicate how financially stable you are. FICO credit scores are the most popularly cited scores, but FICO is merely a type of credit score model (FICO stands for Fair Isaac Corporation, the company that helped pioneer credit scoring). Most agencies use either a FICO model or a variation of it for credit score calculations.Credit scores take a look at five major categories in your finances. Each category is weighed differently, but each part is important to ensuring that your score is as healthy as possible. Credit scores are calculated by looking at monthly reports that are sent to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Many different organizations send reports to the bureaus, including:Mortgage lendersAuto loan lendersCredit card companiesPersonal loan lenders Medical billing collection agenciesUtility companies typically do not send reports, but missing utility payments can result in reports to a collections agency (which will be reported). The credit bureaus take all of these reports and break the information down into the following categories. Your Payment History (35%)Your payment history is the most important factor in your credit score, accounting for 35% of your total score. Do you pay your accounts on time and in full, or do you miss payments? If you have had a missed or late payment, its affect on your score will depend on:The amount you’ve missedHow recently you’ve missed a paymentHow frequently you’ve missed paymentsEnsuring that you make consistent, full, and on time payments will have the greatest positive effect on your credit score.Your Amounts Owed (30%)This is the second most important category for your credit score, accounting for 30% of your credit score. The amounts owed category looks at how much money you owe, how much money you have available to you, and the number and types of accounts you have. The most important factor in this is your credit utilization ratio, which is a ratio of how much money you owe compared to how much money you have available to you. This looks at individual accounts as well as your total debt and total line of credit. Your ratio should be less than 30% for each account as well as your overall amounts owed.Your Length of Credit History (15%)The length of your credit history makes up 15% of your credit score. This category looks at how long your accounts have been open and active. How long have you had your accounts open and how long has it been since you’ve used certain accounts? The longer you have a history of having open accounts, consistently using them, and consistently paying them, the higher your score will be.Your Credit Mix (10%)Your credit mix accounts for 10% of your credit score. Your credit mix looks at how diverse your credit accounts are. Lenders like to see that you can manage payments for a number of different accounts. Healthy mixes typically include installment loans, mortgages, car loans, credit cards and retail credit cards. The better the mix, the better your score will be.New Credit (10%)Your new credit counts for 10% of your credit score. This category looks at how many new accounts you have. If you have new accounts that you haven’t proven that you can consistently pay, it will count against you. New accounts are like unanswered questions to credit bureaus.Does refinancing a car hurt your credit?When you refinance a car it will affect two categories in your credit score: your length of credit history and your new credit. Because it will be a new loan, it will shorten your length of credit history, which can cause a minor dip in your score. It will also be a new credit on your account, so your score will lower because it's new. Refinancing your car means that you will also have hard inquiries on your account. Hard inquiries will also cause a dip in your score, typically between five and ten points. It is temporary however, and they usually wear off in about six months. So, does refinancing a car loan hurt your credit? The answer is yes and no. While it will affect these parts of your score, it can also help your credit score greatly by saving you money and making your payments more manageable.Refinancing saves you money so you can pay off more debtIf you are able to refinance your car loan to a lower car loan APR, you can save a lot of money over the course of your loan. And those savings can be used to pay down other debts you have. These payments can lower your credit utilization ratio, which can significantly improve your credit score.Refinancing can help you make more consistent paymentsIf you are having trouble keeping up on your monthly payments, refinancing can help you by lengthening your repayment plan. When you lengthen your repayment plan you have more time to pay off your loan, which significantly lowers your payments. If you can stay more consistent on your payments you will increase your score a good deal.What is a good credit score to refinance a car?Credit scores are broken down into five categories: Exceptional (Super Prime): 800-850Very good (Prime): 740-799Good (Near Prime): 670-739Fair (Subprime): 580-669Very poor (Deep Subprime): 300-579The better your credit score is, the better car loan APR you will be offered. The best car loan refinance rates are offered to those with very good and exceptional credit scores. But that doesn’t mean that you will be unable to refinance if your score isn’t quite that high.If your credit score is better than it was when you originally financed and/or the market rates are better than when you initially financed, there’s a good chance you will be able to qualify for a better car loan APR.That being said, it’s best to work on your score to get it in the best shape possible before you start the refinancing process. Work on making consistent, on time paymentsIf you have a habit of making late payments, try to fix this as soon as possible. Sign up for autopay on your bills if possible to ensure you don’t miss a bill and look for ways to keep up on full payments. Are there areas of your budget where you can make sacrifices to save a bit of money? Canceling unused or unnecessary subscriptions and switching to generic brands are just a few ways you can free up some extra money and ensure you are making full payments on all of your accounts.Request higher credit limitsContact your credit card companies and ask for higher credit limits. This will automatically give a boost to your credit score by reducing your credit utilization ratio.Avoid opening new lines of creditAny new accounts that you open at this time will adversely affect your credit score, so try to resist opening anything new until after you refinance your car loan.Ask to be an authorized user on a loved one’s accountIf you have a friend or family member with a great credit score, becoming an authorized user on one of their accounts can give your credit score a boost. Their on time payments and low credit utilization ratio can help to give yours a boost.Request a copy of your credit reportIt’s a good idea to request a copy of your credit report at least once per year to ensure that there aren’t any mistakes or errors. A missed payment marked in error can have a significant effect on your score, so it’s good to regularly review your report and make sure everything is accurate.When you decide to refinance your car, be sure to apply to all lenders in the same two week time frame. Credit bureaus know that people need to apply to different places in order to compare, so they give a two week window where all hard inquiries will count as one inquiry (and therefore only affect your credit score once.Refinancing a car loan can cause a slight dip in your credit score, but it can also help your score in the long run.Refinancing your car loan is super easy when you use a company that specializes in car loan refinance, like Auto Approve. So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with Auto Approve today to see how much money you could be saving!GET YOUR FREE QUOTE TODAY!

Having a small business can be incredibly difficult at times. From juggling all of the day to day responsibilities to worrying about profits, it can be overwhelming. But one huge advantage of owning your own business is that you can lease a car through your business. Here’s your how-to guide on leasing a car through your business.What are the advantages of leasing a car?Leasing a car isn’t for everyone; some people prefer buying a car so that they can customize it, drive it on their terms, and ultimately have an asset at the end of their payments. But leasing has some distinct advantages that work better for some people.The monthly payments are lowerWhen you lease a car, the payments will be much lower than if you choose to buy a car and finance it. In fact, car leases are typically between 30-60% less than financing payments.You can drive the latest carA lease period is typically only a few years, so you can get the newest car when your lease period is over. If you like to have the newest cars and technology, leasing is likely a good fit for you.You generally don’t have to pay for repairsLease periods typically line up with warranties, so you generally do not have to pay for most repairs.You need less money up frontWhen you lease a car, you are not usually required to make a down payment. Additionally, any fees that may be required up front can be rolled into your monthly payments. This means you don’t need a lot of money to get a lease.No need to sell your used carWhen your lease is over, you can simply hand the keys back over to the dealership. You don’t need to deal with the hassle of selling your used car (which can be a real pain sometimes).You can write off your lease paymentsOne of the biggest advantages to leasing is that you can write off your lease payments if you are a business owner (or self employed) and use the car for business purposes. Even if you do not own your own business, you may be able to write off part of your lease as a usage credit depending on what state you live in.How to lease a car through your businessIf you are looking to lease your car through your company, you will need to find a dealer that handles commercial leases. That doesn’t mean that you will need to get a commercial style vehicle, but it means that they have different programs and financing options. Select your carDetermine what car works best for you and your business. Is a simple passenger vehicle sufficient? Do you need cargo room for heavy hauling? Determine what type of car will work best for you and your business.Determine if you should lease or buyAs a business owner you are also eligible to write off car payments, but they will be significantly more than a lease payment will be. The answer will depend on what type of business you have and what your business finances are like. If you buy a car, you have an asset at the end which can be a good thing. But the higher payments may not make it worth it. Evaluate which option is better for your situation.Bring your business’s financial documentsYou will need to prove that your business is capable of making payments on the lease. They will want to see cash flow, revenue, and debts, all of which will affect your ability to repay the lease. You want to bring anything that will help to prove that your business is financially stable and that you will not have an issue paying for your monthly lease.Be prepared to guarantee the loanIf the bank does not feel that your business is in good enough standing to warrant a lease, they may require you to guarantee the lease personally. This means that if anything should happen, you will be responsible to make payments on the lease and your personal credit is on the line. Be sure you are comfortable taking on this responsibility.Iron out the details and negotiateWhen you are approved for the lease, be sure that you are comfortable with all of the fine print. Fees, mileage limits, the lease term–be sure that everything is correct. And that’s it! Once the papers are signed, the lease is yours.How to write off a car lease for your business in 2023If you are eligible to lease your car through your business, it can save you a lot of money in taxes. But even if you lease your car through your personal finances, you can still benefit from write offs. You can determine your “business portion”–the portion of your lease that’s eligible to be written off–by determining how many miles you drove for personal use and how many miles you drove for business use. If you drove 10,000 miles on your lease, and 4,000 of those miles were for work and the rest were personal, your business portion would be 40%. When you write off these expenses, there are two ways you can do so.Use the actual expensesYour first option is to use the actual expenses to determine your write off amount. You are eligible to write off any costs that are related to driving, such as:Your lease paymentFuelInsuranceRepairsIf your total cost for the year was $12,000, you would calculate what your business portion of those costs would be (i.e. $12,000 x 40% = $4800) and that is the amount you can write off on your taxes.Use the standard mileage deductionAlternatively you can choose to write off per mile. The IRS has a set number that you can write off per mile (in 2022 it was $0.585 per mile for the first six months, then $0.625 per mile for the rest of the year). You can determine how many miles you drove that year, multiply it by the standard deduction, and then multiply that by your business portion. That’s everything you need to know about leasing a car through your business.Leasing a car can be a great option for many people, especially business owners and those who are self employed. And if you love your car by the end of the lease, you can always purchase your car with a car lease buyout loan. Auto Approve specializes in car lease buyout loans, so we can help you (and your business) stay in the driver’s seat.

When you refinance your car loan, you essentially restart your car loan with new terms and a new car loan APR. And this can translate to a lot of money in savings. But just how much can auto refinancing save you, and how do you decide the time is right?Here’s how much money you can save by refinancing your car loan.Does refinancing a car loan save you money?Refinancing to a lower car loan APR saves you moneyThe biggest way that you can save money is by refinancing your car loan to a lower car loan APR. You may qualify for a lower car loan APR if any of the following apply to you:The market rates have decreased since you initially financed your car.Your credit score has improved since you initially financed your car.Your debt to income ratio has improved since you initially financed your car.You are adding a cosigner to your car loan who has a good credit score.Your credit score is the biggest factor that lenders consider when they are determining what car loan APR to offer you. Credit scores are designed to tell lenders how much of a credit risk you are. The higher your credit score is, the more likely you are to repay your loan (at least in the eye of the lender). So while you do not have control over the market rates, you do have control over your personal finances and your credit score. Your credit score is determined by looking at the following categories of your finances:Payment history (35%)Amounts owed (30%)Length of credit history (15%)Credit mix (10%)New credit (10%)Your payment history and accounts owed are the two most influential sections of your credit score. Therefore paying attention to these categories will help you increase your score the most. If you are interested in refinancing, it is a good idea to ensure your credit score is in top shape before applying for refinance. Commit to making full, consistent, on time payments to all of your lenders, pay off accounts with a high credit utilization ratio, request higher limits on your accounts, avoid opening new lines of credit, and review your credit report for any errors. All of these steps can help improve your score, which will lead to a better car loan APR when refinancing a car.But just how much money can you save with an auto refinance? Let’s look at an example. You initially financed $25,000 with an 8% car loan APR to be repaid over 5 years. Your monthly payments are $506.91. Over the course of five years you will pay $5,414.59 in interest alone. But let’s say you improve your credit score and you are able to refinance your car loan to 5%. Now your monthly payments are $471.78 and you will pay a total of $3,306.85 over the life of your loan. That’s over $2,000 in savings. And who couldn’t use that kind of extra cash?Refinancing to a shorter repayment period saves you moneyWhen you refinance your car loan, you can change the repayment period. You can either lengthen the repayment period or shorten it, depending on your financial needs. If you want to save money in the long run, shortening your repayment period will mean that you will pay less in total interest over the life of the loan, but your monthly payments will ultimately be higher.Let’s look at the same example from above. You initially financed $25,000 with an 8% car loan APR to be repaid over 5 years. Your monthly payments are $506.91. Over the course of five years you will pay $5,414.59 in interest alone. But if you were to refinance to a loan period of 4 years instead of five years, your monthly payments would rise to $610.32. With one less year of interest payments, you would only pay $4,295.51 in interest. That’s a savings of over $1100, even if you don’t qualify for a lower car loan APR. If you qualify for a lower car loan APR on top of that, the savings add up even more.Refinancing to a longer repayment period saves you money on monthly paymentsIf you are having trouble making your car payments every month, lengthening your repayment period can significantly reduce your monthly payments and give you a lot more breathing room every month. Let’s consider the above example in reverse. If you initially had a $20,000 loan with 8% APR over 48 months and refinanced to 60 months, your monthly payments would reduce by over $100. While you would end up paying more in the long run, you would give yourself a lot of breathing room every month. By making your payments more manageable, you would give yourself more money to pay other bills and pay down other debts, which can ultimately improve your credit score.What do I need to refinance my car loan?Refinancing your car loan is easy and doesn’t require too much. The first step is to see if you qualify for a car loan refinancing. Requirements will vary from lender to lender, and eligibility typically depends on:How old your car isHow many miles your car has on itHow much money is left on your loan There may be other factors at play, but generally the older your car is and the less it is worth, the harder it will be to refinance your car loan. If your car is ten years or older or has over 100,000 miles you may not be able to refinance. Also if you do not have a lot of time left on your loan, lenders might not feel it is worthwhile for them to refinance your loan. Auto Approve can help you determine whether or not you are eligible for refinancing. If you are eligible, you want to shop around with different lenders and compare before applying. You won’t have specific terms and rates to compare, but you can look at customer satisfaction ratings and reviews to get a sense of what each company is like. You can refinance a car loan with a traditional bank, a credit union, or an online lender. You will want to apply to 3-5 lenders so that you can compare and get the best terms. (Be sure to apply to all of them in a fourteen day window so that they all count as one hit on your credit report.)The following documents are typically required when you refinance a vehicle.A Photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license.Your vehicle’s information, which may include the bill of sale, VIN number, make, model, and year of your car.Proof of income and financial history, which may include pay stubs, banking information, and your credit report.  Proof of residence, such as a mortgage statement, lease agreement, or utility bill. Note that PO boxes are not acceptable as proof of residence.Proof of insurance.While you can apply for car loan refinancing on your own, it’s much easier to use a company that specializes in car loan refinance. They will have preexisting relationships with lenders that can result in the best deals. And since they specialize in refinance, they are more than ready to help answer any questions or issues you may have.When should you refinance a car loan?So how do you know if the time is right to refinance your car loan? While you can refinance your car loan at any time, it is more beneficial to do so at certain times. The time is right to refinance if:Your credit score has increasedMarket rates have decreasedYour debt to income ratio has improvedYou have had your existing loan for at least six monthsYou have more than two years left on your existing loanYou want to add or remove a cosignerIf some (or all) of these conditions apply to you, the time might be right to refinance. You can refinance before six months, but waiting six months to a year will give your credit score a chance to rebound from your last financing inquiry. It will also give you a chance to establish a good payment history, both of which will help you secure a better car loan APR. New lenders will appreciate seeing your on time payments to your existing car loan.The time might not be right to refinance a car if:Your credit score has decreasedMarket rates have increased significantlyYour debt to income ratio has gotten worseYour loan is brand newYour loan period is almost over.If you are wondering if the time is right, contact Auto Approve to speak with one of our agents.And that’s how much money you can save by refinancing your car loan.So if you are asking yourself “why do people refinance auto loans?” the answer is simple–it can save people a lot of money. Contact Auto Approve today to see just how much money you can save!

Leasing a car is a popular option for a number of reasons. Lease payments are generally cheaper than financing payments, you can get a new car every few years, and you don’t have to deal with a lot of the hassles of car ownership when you simply lease. But what if you don’t have your heart set on a new car? Is it possible to lease a used car and save yourself some money?Here’s everything you need to know about leasing a used car. Is it better to lease a new or used car?While some people love to buy new cars so that they have an asset at the end of their payment period, there are a lot of benefits to leasing a car instead. You will have lower monthly payments. Your monthly payments will be lower when leasing as opposed to buying. You don’t have to worry about selling your car when you want a new one. When your lease is over, you can just hand your keys back to the dealership and walk away.You can get a new car every few years.You can maximize tax deductions if you are a business owner.But how do you decide between leasing a new car and leasing a used car? Leasing a used car has one main advantage: it’s a lot cheaper. Not only will your lease payments be cheaper, but your insurance will most likely be cheaper. But it’s not without its downfalls. Leasing a used car has a few downsides:Your car may not be under warranty anymore, so you may be on the hook for all repairs.Used cars typically have higher interest rates (money factors) than new cars.You may have limited options due to today’s used car market.Your car will have wear and tear, as opposed to a new car.You will still have mileage usage restrictions.But all that being said, it is still cheaper to lease a used car. Although the interest rate may be a bit higher, the car will have a much lower residual value. Residual value is what the car is expected to be worth at the end of the lease period. Since a used car will have already gone through its biggest depreciation period, the car will be worth much less (therefore your monthly payments will be much less).How do you lease a used car?If leasing a used car sounds like a good option for you, it’s pretty easy to do. Here are our steps for leasing a used car.Determine your budget.Whether you are buying or leasing, determining a realistic budget is the most important step. Look at your monthly budget and see how much you can afford in car lease payments. Experts recommend spending no more than 20% of your total monthly income on transportation expenses. This includes car payments, gas, maintenance, parking, tolls, and any other expenses that may come with owning or leasing a car.Make sure your credit score is in tip top shape.Having a good credit score will help you to secure the best interest rate for your car lease. To make sure your credit score is in the best shape possible, be sure to do the following:Commit to making full, consistent, and on time payments to all of your lenders.Request higher credit limits on your accounts.Request a copy of your credit report and check for any errors or inconsistencies.Avoid opening any new lines of credit.Become an authorized user on a friend’s account.Pay down debts with high credit utilization ratios first.Shop around to different dealers.You will need to find dealers that lease certified pre-owned cars, but they are relatively easy to find. It’s good to be a little flexible in what you are looking for, as this will give you the most room to explore and find good deals. There is a lot of demand for used cars in today’s environment, so there will not be as many options for used car leases as you may be hoping. But being flexible and shopping around will help you to find what you are looking for.Negotiate your used car lease.There are a lot of terms that you will be able to negotiate in your car lease. The Capitalized Cost. This is the agreed upon value of the car (essentially the sale price). This is a great place to start negotiating, especially when it comes to how much a used car is worth. A lower cap cost will reduce your lease payments significantly. Sites like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds are great places to start when determining a fair capitalized cost.The Money Factor. This is essentially the APR on the lease. They are expressed as decimals rather than percentage points, so you may not be as familiar with what a good money factor is. To make it easier to understand you can multiply the money factor by 2400 to give you an approximate APR. For example if the money factor is .00275, you can multiply it by 2400 to get an approximate APR of 6.6%. Some dealers say that this is non-negotiable, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. There may be wiggle room, and you should certainly be aware of what the prevailing rates are before they coerce you into accepting a money factor. The Lease Term. While not necessarily a negotiation, you will have to decide how long of a lease term you want. They typically range from 36-72 months. Keep in mind that if you are leasing a used car, the longer the lease term is, the more likely it is that something will go wrong on your car.Mileage Allowance. As with any lease, there will be a limit to how many miles you can drive per year on your lease. It will be cheaper for you to negotiate this term ahead of time rather than dealing with the overage fees. The Fees. Look to see what fees are listed in the contract. They may vary greatly from lease to lease, but try to negotiate any fees listed.What are the three options at the end of a lease?When your used car lease is over, you will have three options.Return your lease and walk away.Return your lease and get a new lease.Buy your leased car.Lease Turn InIf you are done with your lease and have other plans for your transportation needs, you can simply return your leased car and walk away. You will be responsible for any fees (wear and tear, mileage overages, etc) but once you pay them you will be done with your lease.Get a New LeaseYou can also decide to return your used car lease and get a new lease. This allows you to get another vehicle (new or used) and start over with new terms. This is what most dealerships prefer; they can then sell or lease your old car while getting you into a new lease that you will make payments on.Lease BuyoutIf you really like your car, you can choose to buy your leased car from the dealership. This may be an especially good idea now given how hard it can be to find a new car right now. A lease buyout may make sense if any of the following apply to you:You really like your car.You have excessive wear and tear that you will be responsible to pay.You have gone over your allotted mileage and will be responsible to pay additional fees.Your car is worth more than the buyout price (in which case you can make a profit by buying it and selling it privately). This may be especially true right now. In 2022 the average trade-in value for a leased 2019 car was 33% higher than the residual value of the car listed in the contract.If a car lease buyout sounds like a good idea, you may need to secure a car lease buyout loan. At Auto Approve, we can help ensure you get the best car lease buyout rates possible. We have relationships with lenders all across the country, so we can help you shop around and compare. Lease buyout loans are one of our specialties, so we know a thing or two about getting you the best deal.A used car lease is a great option for many people, and if you chose to buy out your used car lease at the end of your lease period, Auto Approve can help.If you love your leased car, whether it’s a new car or a used car, a car lease buyout may be a great option for you. And when you use Auto Approve, you know you are in good hands. With a 96% would-recommend rating on LendingTree and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, we’ve helped tens of thousands of people finance the cars of their dreams. So don’t wait–contact Auto Approve today to get started!GET YOUR FREE QUOTE TODAY!

When you initially finance your car you might not qualify for the best rate. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with a less-than-great car loan. Refinancing your car loan is a great way to get a better car loan APR and better car loan terms. So what’s the best way to refinance, and how can you get started?Refinancing your car loan is a great way to get a better car loan, and using a company that specializes in car loan refinance is the best way to do it.What does it mean to refinance a car loan?Refinancing a car loan is when you replace your existing loan with a new car loan. Your new loan may have a better car loan APR, better repayment terms, and even have a cosigner (or have a cosigner removed).If you are asking yourself “why should I refinance my car loan?”, you can decide if refinancing your car loan is good move by asking yourself the following:Is it possible I can find a lower car loan APR?Am I struggling to make my monthly car payment?A lower interest rateIf the answer is yes to either of those questions, refinancing your car loan may be a great option. You can find a lower car loan APR if any of the following apply to you:Your credit score has improved since your initial financing.The market rate has decreased since your initial financing.Your debt to income ratio has improved since your initial financing. Refinancing is very beneficial when you find a lower car loan APR. When you reduce your rate, you will reduce your monthly payments and save a lot of money over the life of your loan.A different repayment planIf you are having a hard time making your monthly car payments, refinancing can help you change your repayment plan, which can change your monthly payments greatly. Lengthening your repayment period allows you to repay your principal over a longer period of time, making each payment smaller. Note that you will pay more in interest (since you will be paying interest for a longer period of time), but it can be a worthwhile tradeoff if you are having trouble making ends meet every month.Where is it best to refinance your car?There are many places that will refinance your car loan. Traditional banks, credit unions, and online lenders are all great options. You can also refinance your car loan through a dealership, but this is typically the most expensive option. The best way to refinance your car loan is to use a company that specializes in car loan refinance, like Auto Approve. Auto Approve has relationships with banks, credit unions, and lenders across the country, which means they can help you shop around and compare your options quickly and easily. If you choose to refinance your loan on your own, you will need to do a lot of research to determine where you should apply. Then, you will need to apply and compare the different terms and rates that are offered to you. But when you use Auto Approve, this process couldn’t be easier. Auto Approve will handle all of that for you, so all you have to do is sign on the dotted line.When you find the vehicle refinance loan that is right for you, Auto Approve can make sure that your old loan gets paid off and that all of your paperwork is done correctly. Auto Approve will even handle the pesky DMV paperwork for you. How to Refinance a Car LoanIf car loan refinance sounds like a good option for you, it’s easy to get started.Make sure you qualify.There aren’t a lot of qualifications when it comes to refinancing, but eligibility may depend on:How old your car isHow many miles your car has on itHow much money is left on your existing loanIf you aren’t sure if you qualify for refinancing, Auto Approve can help! Our agents can help you determine if you are eligible for refinancing (and can help you figure out how much money you could be saving!)Prepare your finances.A little preparation can go a long way when it comes to refinancing. Car loan refinancing is most beneficial when your credit score and your finances are in tip top shape. Take the following steps to ensure that your score is at its best:Commit to making full, on time payments.Request a copy of your credit report and review it for any errors.Request higher credit limits.Avoid applying for any other lines of credit while you are in the process of refinancingIf you are having trouble with your monthly payments, go through your monthly budget to determine what you can afford to pay. Experts recommend that your monthly transportation expenses (this includes car payments, gas, parking, maintenance, and insurance) does not exceed 20% of your monthly income.Do Your ResearchIf you use Auto Approve, we can handle this step for you. But if you are refinancing on your own, you should try to do as much research as you can. Talk to friends and family to see if they can recommend a lender. Go online and read reviews to get a sense of how competitive the rates are and see how their customer service stacks up. You should aim to apply with 3-5 lenders.Apply. When you have narrowed your list down, it’s time to apply. Send out all of your applications in a two week timeframe (the credit bureaus give you two weeks where all hard inquiries will count as one hit on your credit score). But if you use Auto Approve, we can handle all of the tedious applications for you.Sign and start saving.When your offers come in, be sure to compare all terms. Be sure to compare the following:The car loan APRThe repayment periodThe assorted feesThe prepayment penaltiesThere is no limit to the amount of times you can refinance your loan, so keep prepayment penalties in mind. If they are extremely high it might deter you from refinancing again in the future.Once you determine the best car loan for you, all you have to do is sign and save. At Auto Approve, we can handle the paperwork for you and ensure that your previous loan gets paid off. And that’s it! Auto Approve makes refinancing your car loan as easy as possible.Refinancing your car loan with Auto Approve is the best (and easiest!) way to start saving money.The sooner you refinance your car loan, the sooner you can start saving. So don’t wait! Contact us today to get started!GET YOUR FREE QUOTE TODAY!

When your lease is up, you have a number of options. And one of those is to keep your car and sell it privately. With the car market (both new and used) still in flux, this might be a very smart and lucrative venture for you. But what is it like to sell a car privately? Here’s how to decide if you should sell your car privately and what steps you should take to make the most money.What is the best thing to do at the end of a car lease?When your car lease ends you have three main options: Return your car and get a new car lease.Return your car and walk away.Buy your leased car.Every lease has a predetermined residual value. This is the amount that the car is worth at the end of the car lease, and ultimately it is the amount you will need to pay in order to buy your car. The most important thing to remember is that the residual value cannot be altered after your lease is up, so if your car has increased in value, you can still buy it for the low residual value.This is particularly important in today’s car market. An unprecedented couple of years has created a very competitive car market. All of the following factors have contributed to an increased price in new cars:Decreased production due to pandemic shutdowns, delays in raw materials, and a microchip shortage.Increased interest in purchasing a new car due to low interest rates.Record high inflation.All of these factors caused the new car market to skyrocket in prices. The average new car in summer 2022 cost $48,301 according to Kelley Blue Book. That’s an increase of 11% in just one year.An expensive new car market leads to an expensive used car market. So the lease that you are driving around in is worth more than it was anticipated to be worth in your contract. In other words, your car’s actual market value is most likely much higher than your car’s residual value. Buying your lease makes sense now in two scenarios:You love your car and want to keep it for yourself.You know you can buy your car and sell it privately for a much higher price.While it depends on your particular situation, buying your lease may make a whole lot of sense right now.Where do you get the most money selling your car?When selling a car you have three main options:A dealershipAn online dealerA private partyThere are pros and cons to each of these options. If you sell your car to a dealer, it will be convenient and easy. The payment to you will be secured, you can avoid DMV paperwork, and it can be done quickly (within one day). But by going to a dealership you will certainly have to haggle, and this may mean you will not get as much as you could for your car.Selling to an online dealer is also a quick and convenient option. By simply going to their website and filling out some information you can get an instant offer. You will also be offered a secured payment and can avoid the pesky DMV. By going to an online dealer you can avoid the negotiations that will be unavoidable at a physical dealership. But neither of these options will get you as much money as you can get by selling your car privately. It will always be more lucrative for you to sell your car yourself, but it does require a bit more time, commitment, and patience. How do I sell my car privately?Selling your car privately requires some preparation, but it’s most likely worth the time and effort.Buyout your lease.When your lease is up (or even before your lease is up) you will need to buy it out. The buyout price will be the residual value of the car plus any taxes and fees that may apply. If you do not have the cash to buy your car outright you can get a car lease buyout loan. Determine your car’s market value.As we said before, the residual value of your car will be stated in your lease contract. But that is separate from the actual market value of your car. To determine the market value of your car you will need to do some research online. Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds are great places to start. Your vehicle’s value will be based on the make and model, year, mileage, and the condition the car is in. Your car’s condition will fall into one of four categories:Excellent Condition. Your car is like-new and in excellent mechanical shape. You’ve never been in an accident and never had any rust, body work, or painting. The engine is clean and works well, you have a clean title history, and it will pass all of its safety and emissions tests. You should also have verifiable service records. Only about 5% of used cars are in excellent condition.Good Condition. Your car is in great shape for the most part. There may be minor blemishes on the interior or exterior but there are no major body or mechanical issues. Your tires should match and be in good condition with a decent amount of tread. There may be a little reconditioning required for resale, but nothing major. This is where most used cars (especially used lease cars) will fall.Fair Condition. Your car has a few mechanical or cosmetic problems, but it still runs relatively well. . It may need some work done, there may be some damage from rust, and you may need new tires. Poor Condition. Your car isn’t in good shape and is running poorly. There may be extensive rust damage or damage to the frame. If your car is in very poor condition, it may not be possible (or worth) selling. Once you determine your car’s condition you can determine your vehicle’s worth using one of the online tools available.Gather all of your paperwork. In order to sell your vehicle you will need to have all of your paperwork in order. You should have the following paperwork:Car Title. If you used a car lease buyout loan to buy your lease, you won’t actually have the title (the bank will). But have that information available. You don’t physically need to have the title to make the sale, the bank will send it to the new buyer when you send them the remaining payment.Service Records. Since your car was a lease you will most likely have accurate service records.Original Sales Paperwork. It’s good to have your original paperwork so that you know all of the options that are available with your car. This can help you bump up the price and give you some extra negotiating power.Warranty Information. If your car is still under warranty, make sure you have your warranty paperwork. Check to see if it’s transferable as well.Prepare your car.To get the best price for your car you want to get your car in its best shape. Here are some of our top tips to get your car looking and driving its best:Get the interior detailed, or at least do a thorough cleaning. Vacuum and shampoo all carpets and clean the interior surfaces.Wash and wax your car’s exterior.Check the oil and other fluids.Ensure all lights are working properly.Fix any minor issues that are quick and relatively cheap, like replacing wiper blades. Take good pictures.After your car is looking its best, take some good pictures outside. Make sure to get pictures of any special features, such as a sunroof.Cross advertise for best results.It’s a good idea to advertise in a few different places to maximize the amount of exposure–and offers–you will get. Tell friends and family, advertise on Facebook, and look for local publications to get the word out. Show your car–safely.When people start to contact you to see your car, have a plan as to where you will meet them and how you will allow for a test drive. It is recommended to meet in a public space and bring a friend along for added safety. Sign the papers.When your buyer is ready to seal the deal, get payment as soon as possible (a cashier’s check is recommended). Be ready to sign the paperwork over to them. Check your state laws to determine what specifically you need to do to complete the sale.Selling your car privately requires a little more work, but it can be worth it in today’s car market to sell your leased car.If your lease is ending, it may be worth it to buy it and sell it privately for a profit. A car lease buyout loan is the perfect way to do this if buying in cash isn’t an option. Contact Auto Approve today to learn more about car lease buyout loans! GET YOUR FREE QUOTE TODAY!

Auto insurance can be quite expensive depending on who you are and where you live, but it’s an unavoidable cost of driving. Fortunately there are ways to reduce your insurance costs to free up money for other things (the holidays are right around the corner, after all!)Here’s the real cost of insurance and what steps you can take to lower your insurance payments.What things determine the cost of auto insurance?While insurance rates may seem mystifying at times, there are a number of metrics and calculations that go into determining an individual’s insurance premium. Insurance companies look at a number of factors when determining what insurance rates to offer. While some of these factors are within your control, others are not. Here are the top considerations for insurance rates.Your Age. Your age is a huge factor in what you will pay for insurance. Young drivers typically pay the most, while middle aged drivers tend to pay the least. In fact the average amount paid by a teen driver compared to a 50 year old driver is over $5,000. By the time you are 20 this will affect your rate less, and by the time you are 25 your age will not matter as much.Your Driving History. Your driving history plays a big role in your insurance rate. If you have accidents in your past or you have more than a few tickets, you can expect to pay more for car insurance. Insurance companies can see your driving history for the past seven years when they are determining your rate.Your Credit Score. This may not immediately come to mind when you think of insurance rates, but data shows that people with higher credit scores tend to get in less accidents. Therefore if you have a good credit score you will most likely be offered a better insurance rate.Where You Live. Your location affects your insurance rate in two ways: your state’s laws and your zip code. Each state requires different levels of coverage, with some requiring more coverage than others. Each zip code will also have different rate adjustments to account for a number of factors including: high traffic areas, flood zones, high theft areas, wildfires, and more. Insurance tends to be higher in cities than in rural areas.Your Gender. Insurance companies view female drivers as less risky than male drivers, therefore females tend to get lower rates. On average a teen boy will pay over $750 more per year than a teen girl. Your Insurance and Claims History. Lack of continuous insurance coverage is a bad sign for insurance companies and it can make you a riskier customer. Additionally, your claims history affects your insurance rates as well. This includes claims filed against you as well as claims you file yourself. A history of multiple insurance claims will raise your insurance rates. Your Vehicle. More expensive cars are more expensive to insure. If the insurance company needs to replace a more expensive car, they need to recoup the costs.The Amount You Drive. The less you drive, the less your insurance will cost.Your Coverage Level. The amount of coverage you select will have a huge effect on your insurance premium. Covering yourself with the state minimum will be much cheaper than a full comprehensive coverage.Why is car insurance so expensive lately?If your insurance seems particularly high lately, it most likely has to do with on of the following:Your location. Did you move from a rural area to a more populated one? A change of address can trigger an increase.Your credit score. If your credit score has taken a hit lately, it may have caused your insurance company to raise your rates.Your driving record. If you have gotten into an accident lately or have been issued a ticket or two, it may have resulted in an automatic increase. But while accidents stay on your record forever, insurance companies only have access to your last seven years of driving when determining rates.If none of these apply, it might be possible that you simply have an expensive insurance company. You can always call around and compare rates if you feel like you are overpaying.How can I reduce my insurance payments?When looking for car insurance, it’s very important to shop around. Compare rates and policies with multiple companies before committing to an insurance company (be sure to read customer reviews too–if companies have a reputation for trying to weasel out of paying out claims, run the other way).But on top of that, there may be additional discounts out there that may help you reduce your insurance payments if you feel like you are overpaying. Here are some of our top tips for reducing your cost of insurance.Determine if you are eligible for any driver-based discounts. Insurance companies offer discounts if you are a student, if you are in the military, if you are elderly, and they even offer discounts for certain professions. Take a close look at your policy to determine if you are eligible for any additional savings.Change your coverage.The higher your level of coverage is, the more you will pay for insurance. Try dropping your amount of coverage if your premium is too high for you to keep up with. State liability insurance is the minimum amount you can legally carry.Take a defensive driving course.Taking a class that is offered by an accredited driving school can help you lower your rates. This is an especially good idea if you have an accident on your record.Look into usage-based or mileage-based discountsMany insurance companies offer discounts for low mileage. Additionally, many companies have usage-based programs that monitor your driving habits (the speed you drive, how you brake, and what time of day you drive). Improve your credit score.Working to improve your credit score can help reduce your insurance rates. Request a copy of your credit report and check for any errors.Commit to making full, consistent, on time payments.Request higher credit limits to improve your credit utilization ratio.Get a debit card that can help build credit.Refinance your car loan (refinancing your car loan can help you get more manageable payments, which in turn can help your credit score)That’s everything you need to know about the real cost of auto insurance.Insurance is expensive, but shopping around and taking advantage of discounts when you can will help keep the costs under control. And if you are looking to save money in your car budget, think about refinancing your car loan. Refinancing your loan can save you a lot of money, so don’t wait! Get in touch with Auto Approve today!GET YOUR FREE QUOTE TODAY!

When times are tough, we sometimes need a quick fix. And when those tough times include being short on cash, it can be hard to navigate. It’s easy to see why a personal loan may be the answer we are looking for. But is it a good idea?Here’s what you should think about when determining if you should take out a personal loan in a crisis.What alternatives are there to a personal loan?Before you decide that a personal loan is the only option, consider what alternatives you may have to come up with the money you need. Do you need a lump sum of money, or are you having a hard time consistently making monthly payments?If money is tight every month, the following might be good alternatives for you.Consolidate to a 0% credit card. If you have good credit, you may qualify for a 0% balance transfer. This will allow you to transfer high interest debt to this new card and save a lot in interest. You typically have 12-18 months before interest kicks in, so this might give you the breathing room to get your finances back on track (but be sure you repay everything in that time period).Refinance your car loan. If you need some extra money every month, you can try refinancing your car loan. Refinancing to a lower car loan APR can save you a lot of money in interest every month. But even if you don’t qualify for a lower car loan APR you can still get some breathing room. When you refinance you can change your repayment plan. Lengthening your repayment will reduce your monthly payments drastically, as you will have more time to pay off the balance.Try to negotiate your bills. If other bills such as student loan payments or mortgage payments are putting a lot of pressure on you, you can call and try to negotiate. They may be able to defer payments for a few months to give you some room. You may be able to set up large bills (such as medical bills) as payment plans.If you need a lump sum of money, the following might be good alternatives for you.Ask friends and family. We get it–it’s awkward to ask loved ones for a favor. But if you are desperate, it might be your best option. If you feel uncomfortable, offer to pay them a small amount of interest so that it doesn't feel awkward.Request a payday advance. Some companies may be able to pay you in advance if you have a good work record.Take a loan from your retirement account. Depending on your account you may be able to take out a loan. For example, if you have an IRA you can take out one loan per year as long as you repay in 60 days.Borrow against your life insurance. If your life insurance has a cash value (sometimes called permanent life insurance) you can borrow against it and you will have the rest of your life to repay. If you do not repay it, the money is simply detracted from your insurance payout when you die.Look into local resources. Local nonprofits and charities might be able to assist you depending on your situation. Is a personal loan a good idea?Whether or not it is a good idea to get a personal loan will depend a lot on your individual situation. In general, it is not a good idea to use a personal loan for your basic living expenses unless you are desperate and have exhausted all other options available to you. This is because personal loans tend to have high interest rates, and if you are having trouble month to month, you will more than likely have trouble repaying your loan in the near future.Under no circumstances should you take out a payday loan. These predatory loans have annual interest rates of well over 300% and can quickly cause a serious problem for you.But if you have nowhere else to turn, a personal loan may be your only option. Especially if you need a large sum quickly. Here are some questions you should ask yourself when determining if it’s a good idea to take out a personal loan.How much will this loan cost me? Think about the interest rate and how much you will be required to pay every month when repayment begins.How quickly do you need the money? Sometimes fast cash is more expensive to borrow, but if you need it immediately you may not have an option.How quickly do you want to repay? The sooner you repay, the less interest you will be responsible for. If you decide that a personal loan is your only option, it’s important to shop around and compare. If you have a good credit score, you will likely have many options open to you. Personal loans are unsecured, meaning there is no collateral to repossess if payment is not made. Because of this, unsecured loans tend to have a higher interest rate than secured loans. Be sure to consider all of the different lending options you have available to you.Credit Unions. Credit unions will consider your credit history, credit score, membership status, and income when determining if you are eligible for a loan. They do not only focus on your credit score, which may give you a better chance if your score isn’t stellar.Traditional Banks. Traditional banks tend to have high credit score and income requirements, but they often have the best rates around.Online Lenders. A good credit score can help you easily secure a personal loan from an online lender. Apply to a few different lenders so you can compare offers. Be sure that you can handle the repayment schedule before you sign. Defaulting on a personal loan can significantly and severely damage your credit score. And damage to your credit score can affect you for a long time.How much money should be in a personal emergency fund?The best way to avoid a personal loan in times of crisis is to have an emergency fund for yourself. No matter what your situation is in life, you should have some sort of emergency fund set up for yourself.You should have three months’ worth of expenses saved up if:You’re young and healthyYou have a stable jobYou do not have dependentsIf you have a partner, your partner is financially stableYou should have six months’ worth of expenses saved up if:You have a lot of expenses and/or a lot of debtYour job is not stableYou have dependentsYou are the sole providerYou should have one year worth of expenses saved up if:You are older or have health issuesYou are close to retiringYou are the sole provider for many dependentsIf you do not fit into one specific bracket, it’s always better to over-save than to under-save. To determine what one month of expenses looks like for you and family, take the following into consideration:Your mortgage/ rentYour utilities (electricity, gas, water, etc)Your car paymentsYour insurance paymentsYour loan payments (student loans, personal loans, etc)Your groceriesYour medical bills and prescriptions Any other monthly expenses (subscriptions, vet bills, etc)Once you know what your savings goal is, try to fit this into your monthly budget. Treating your emergency fund as if it is a bill that you must pay every month will help ensure that you continue to add to your fund consistently. Here are some of our top tips for growing your emergency fund:Add a savings account to your direct deposit. Opening a savings account that is linked up to your direct deposit. You can have a percentage of your paycheck deposited into it so that the savings build automatically.Use a bonus, tax refund, or cash back reward to start your fund. While it’s not an exciting way to use these types of income, it is an easy way to get an emergency fund started with little hit to your monthly budget.Work to trim your monthly budget, and allocate savings to your emergency fund. By cutting unnecessary costs (such as switching to generic groceries, cutting subscription services, and refinancing your car loan) you can create a lot of wiggle room in your budget. Allocating that money to your emergency fund can help you build it up quickly.A personal loan may help you out of a crisis if it’s necessary, but working to build an emergency fund ahead of time can ease your financial burden much more effectively.You can’t plan for emergencies, so sometimes you need to get creative when problems arise. A personal loan can help you out of a jam, but it should only be used when there are no other good alternatives.Working to build an emergency fund can help you prepare for the unexpected. Looking for ways to save money in your budget can help you build that financial safety net. Refinancing your car loan is a great way you can free up money and get your finances on track. To find out just how much money you can save, contact Auto Approve today!GET YOUR FREE QUOTE TODAY!

After you refinance your car, you’re done, right? Well, sort of. While refinancing your car loan is super easy, you want to make sure all of your i’s are dotted and all of your t’s are crossed. So let’s talk about refinancing and what you need to do after your car loan is refinancedHere’s what to do after you refinance your auto loan (and why you should refinance your car in the first place).What steps should you take after refinancing your car loan?After your car loan is refinanced, be sure to take the following steps.Step One: Keep Paying Your Original LoanYou want to keep making payments on your original loan until you are sure that your new lender has paid off your old loan. If you overpay on your old loan, they will refund you the difference (just be sure to keep track of what payments you have made). It’s always better to overpay rather than underpay, so continue until it is clear that all of the paperwork is completed.Step Two: Make Your Final PaymentDepending on who you refinance with, you may need to make the final payment to your old lender. Your new lender might handle this directly, just be sure that the original loan gets paid off in full.Step Three: Start Paying Your New LoanThe next step is to start making payments on your new loan. Setting up for autopay can help ensure that you make on time payments. Step Four: Check Your Credit ScoreWhen all is said and done, it’s a good idea to check on your credit score. Refinancing your car loan will cause a dip in your credit score, but it should only last a few months. But keeping an eye on your score is always a good idea.Why do people refinance auto loans?There are a few reasons why people may choose to refinance their car loans. But the main reason people refinance is to save money. Refinancing can get you a lower car loan APRWhen you refinance your car loan, you get to start fresh with a new car loan. That means a new car loan APR. There are a few reasons why you may qualify for a lower car loan APR:Their credit score has improvedThe market rates have improvedTheir debt to income ratio has improvedIf any of these apply to you, there is a good chance you may be able to secure a lower car loan APR, which can save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars.Refinancing allows you to change your repayment planIf you are looking to change your repayment plan, refinancing your car loan is the perfect way to do so. Lengthening your repayment term will reduce your monthly payments significantly (although you will end up paying more over the life of the loan since you will be paying interest for a longer time). Shortening your repayment term will increase your monthly payments but it will save you a lot of money in the long term. Depending on your situation, shortening or lengthening your repayment period might be a good idea.Refinancing allows you to add or remove a cosigner There are a number of reasons why you may have a cosigner on your loan. Maybe you bought a shared car with a loved one, or maybe you just needed their good credit score to give you an edge. But you are not able to simply remove a cosigner from an existing loan if your circumstances change. You see, lenders take a lot of factors into account when determining the best car loan APR to offer. And if there are two people cosigning they will look at both of their credit scores and financial histories. If part of that changes, the likelihood of repayment changes (in the eyes of the lender, anyway). Therefore refinancing is the only option to change this situation.On the other hand you may wish to add a cosigner to your loan. If a loved one has a better credit score than you they may be able to help you secure a better car loan APR. Or if you want to help a loved one build credit, adding them as a cosigner is a great way to do that. But whatever the reason is, refinancing is the best way to add or remove a cosigner.When can you refinance a car loan?You can refinance a car loan at any time. And you can refinance more than one time. But there are times when it makes more sense than others. Here are our top tips for when to refinance your car loan.Wait six months to a yearExperts recommend waiting six months to a year before refinancing a car loan. This will give your credit score some time to rebound before you start looking for a new car loan. It will also give you time to make full, consistent, on time payments on your existing loan, which will also help ensure you get the best rates possible. Wait until you will be offered a better APRIf you know that your credit score has not improved or that market rates have not improved, you may not be able to refinance effectively. While you can still refinance to change your repayment period or to add/remove a cosigner, it’s best to take the time to ensure you will get the best rates and terms possible. So before you refinance, take the following steps:Request a copy of your credit report and review for errorsMake it a priority to make consistent, full, on time payments to all of your lendersEnroll in autopay to ensure you don’t miss paymentsRequest higher credit limits to improve your credit utilization ratioDon’t wait until the end of your loanRefinancing will save you less and less money as time goes on. The closer you are to the end of your loan term, the less benefits you will see from refinancing. Refinancing when there are at least two years left on your loan will help maximize your savings.Those are the steps to take after you refinance your loan.Refinancing has a lot of benefits, so it’s worth pursuing if you suspect you might be overpaying. When all is said and done you can save a lot of money, but it’s important to follow up to be sure that your original loan gets paid off and that your credit score stays in good shape.Refinancing your car loan is especially easy when you use a company that specializes in car loan refinance, like Auto Approve. Contact us today to get started!GET YOUR FREE QUOTE TODAY!

There are a lot of costs associated with driving. Not only do you have car payments, maintenance, gas, and parking, but you also have the added expense of insurance. Your insurance rate is based on many factors, but one big factor in this number is your driving history.Getting into an accident can drastically affect the insurance rate you will have to pay. And if you are struggling with all of your car costs, this can really throw your finances for a loop.Here’s how long an accident stays on your record and how you can ensure an accident doesn’t derail your financial wellbeing.How long does an accident stay on your record?If you get into a car accident, it will stay on your driving record forever. But that doesn’t mean that it will affect your insurance rate forever. While the DMV will keep this information on file, insurance companies are only allowed to see the past seven years when determining what insurance rates they will offer. In general, an accident will affect your insurance rate for three to five years.Accidents and tickets will cause your rates to increase because insurance companies will see you as an increased risk. The more accidents and tickets you have, the more likely you are to file a claim (and the more likely they are to have to pay for you). In fact, insurance companies raise premium rates an average of 42% following an at-fault accident. If the accident is severe enough or involves drunk driving, your insurance company might choose to deny your renewal altogether. What about accidents where you're not at fault? This depends a lot from state to state, and your rate might increase even if the accident was no fault of your own. Some states, like California, make it illegal for insurers to raise your rates after a no fault accident, but this is not always the case.Some insurance policies will have accident forgiveness. This coverage means that if you get in an at-fault accident, your insurance will not increase (the first time, anyway). There are different eligibility requirements for each insurer, and some may not even offer accident forgiveness. But if they do, it’s worth looking into. Be aware however that if your current policy has accident forgiveness and you switch insurers, your accident may affect the rates you are offered by new insurers. In other words, your accident forgiveness doesn’t transfer.How can I lower car insurance after an accident?A car accident can cause a sharp raise in your insurance rates. But there are certain measures you can take to help lower your car insurance. Car insurance discounts can be broken down into five categories: Driver Status DiscountsDriver Safety DiscountsPolicy DiscountsVehicle DiscountsUsage DiscountsDriver Status DiscountsMany insurers offer discounts to drivers based on their age or profession. Some of the most common driver based discounts are:Young driver discounts: Discounted rates for drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 (discount rate varies)Military discounts: Discounted rates for active and retired military members–and sometimes their family members (8-15% discount)Student discounts: Discounted rates for high school and college students (5-25% discount)Professional discounts: Discounted rates for certain professional groups, such as teachers or healthcare workers (2-10% discount)Organizational discounts: Discounted rates for members of certain organizations or alumni groups (2-10% discount)Senior discounts: Discounted rates for drivers over the age of 55 (5-10% discount)Driver Safety DiscountsGood driving habits and practices can save consumers a lot of money. Being accident free is one of the most effective driver safety discounts, but if you have been in an accident there are other available safety discounts. These discounts will vary from insurer to insurer but some of the most popular ones include:Defensive driving discount: Taking a defensive driving course from a registered driving school can help reduce insurance costs (10-15% discount). If you are in an accident, participating in a defensive driving class can help minimize the price increase on your insurance policy.Low mileage and low usage discount: If you do not drive a lot and do not put a lot of miles on your car, you may be eligible for additional insurance savings. Driving less than 7500 miles per year can save you up to 20% on your insurance.Policy DiscountsThere may be specific discounts built into your policy that can help save you even more money.Bundling discount: If you bundle your car insurance with other insurance you have, such as renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance, you may be offered a discount (5-25% discount).Early signer discount: If you renew your policy before it expires you may be eligible for a small savings discount (typically around 3%).Pay in full discount: If you pay your yearly premium up front rather than in installments you may be offered an additional discount (5-10% discount).Loyalty discount: If you have been a repeat customer for several years your insurer may reward you with additional savings.Autopay discount: If you enroll in autopay you may be eligible for an additional discount.Vehicle DiscountSome features on your vehicle may make you eligible for additional car insurance savings. Having any of the following features can save you anywhere from 3% to 30% on your insurance.Anti-theft devicesAnti-lock brakesDaytime running lightsAdditionally you may be offered a discount if your car is new.Usage DiscountsMany insurers these days are using tech to track your driving habits, and this can lead to big savings. Allstate Drivewise, Progressive Snapshot, and Travelers IntelliDrive are just three of these programs. These companies give you a device that plugs into your diagnostic system and tracks different usage metrics such as speed, braking, mileage, time of day, and time spent driving. These companies boast savings of up to 30% on your insurance, but research indicates that the average savings is between 6-8%.How can I keep my car payments low?If your insurance increases after an accident, there are a number of things you can try to reduce your insurance payments. But you can also try to reduce your vehicle costs in other ways which can help ease the burden of an insurance increase. And one big way to do that is to lower your monthly car payments. There are two main ways you can do this. You can try talking to your lender and seeing if you can work something out, or you can refinance your car loan.Talk to Your Lender If you are in a tight spot, you may have luck simply calling your lender and explaining your situation. While they will not be able to amend your existing loan, they may help you defer a payment (or a few months of payments). They also may be able to lower your payments temporarily. This may give you the breathing room you need. But it’s important to note that you will almost certainly have to pay for interest on this in the long run, so it may not be very beneficial.Refinance your Car LoanA more effective way to lower your car payments and save money in the long run is to refinance your car loan. Car loan refinance is when you get a new car loan that will replace your existing loan. By finding a loan with a lower car loan APR and a different repayment plan, you can reduce your monthly car payments drastically. You may be eligible for a lower car loan APR if any of the following apply to you:Your credit score has improved since your initial financingThe market rates have decreased since your initial financingYour debt to income ratio has improved since your initial financingEven if you are not eligible for a lower APR, adjusting your repayment plan may help you cut your monthly payments. And if you have been in an accident and your insurance rates have increased, this might be exactly what you need. Let’s say your car payments were originally supposed to be paid off in 24 months. Your loan was for $20,000 with an 8% APR and your monthly payments are around $900. If you were to refinance to a 36 month repayment plan, your monthly payments would reduce to about $625, even with the same car loan APR. That is a huge savings every month that can really help you out of a tight spot. You will end up spending a bit more over the life of the loan since you will be paying interest over a longer period of time, but it might be worth it to have that extra breathing room.Having an accident can affect your insurance, but researching and participating in other insurance discounts can help minimize the damage.An accident can certainly create a kink in your finances, but refinancing your car loan is one way that you can free up some money. Contact Auto Approve today to see just how much money you could be saving every month!GET FREE QUOTE TODAY!