Blog > Recent Articles In Financing

What exactly is GAP insurance?

GAP insurance is not for everyone, but if you’re financing a car, it could make all the difference. Guaranteed asset protection, to use its full name, is an optional product that protects your finances in the event your car is stolen or totaled in an accident. While car insurance will cover the market value of a vehicle, if you owe more than that on your loan, GAP insurance steps in to cover the rest and save you from delving into your own pockets.     Situations where GAP insurance is helpful Cars, as you may have heard, are depreciating assets… Read More

4 ways to get your credit score before applying for a loan

  On a car-financing journey that naturally travels through a range of numbers, your credit score is a good one to start off with. Based upon your credit behavior compiled in your credit history report, it sums up in three digits your credit health, which gives you some insight on how likely you are to get financing and, if approved, how favorable those terms may be. The higher the number, the better your credit and, usually, the stronger your position. Consumers actually have more than one credit score because there are a number of credit scoring sources and models, and… Read More

What is the average car payment, and what can you afford?

    Average monthly payments are $525 for new and $378 for used vehicles Rising car prices contribute to higher payments but longer loan terms temper the monthly increase Auto finance calculators will help estimate what may work for you   With a car payment likely to be one of your highest monthly expenses, it’s important to know what you may be able to afford before financing a vehicle for the next several years. Rising car prices make buying a new vehicle more challenging for many consumers and, along with larger loan amounts and rising interest rates, have contributed to the current… Read More

Great reasons to shop for a car over Labor Day weekend

  … and how to save time when you’re there.     With the end of summer near, Labor Day marks a time of change, and, for car buyers, that presents one of the best times of year to shop. Many 2019-model-year cars are arriving at dealerships, which makes it a good weekend to check out the latest vehicles. It also means dealers are looking to move 2018 models to make space for them, and that spells great deals and discounts. With dealerships across the country offering sales events for limited periods, expect them to be busier than normal over… Read More

How to choose and finance a first car for your teenager

  Buying a first car for your teenager is a balancing act. While the preferences of your son or daughter will no doubt be on your mind, there’s the need to get the safest car your budget will allow. And with such an array of new and used vehicles on the market, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Thankfully, there’s plenty of expert advice available to make it easier. “The best bet is to buy the newest, most reliable model loaded with the best safety equipment you can afford,” says Consumer Reports. More than that, it’s important… Read More