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are offered by lenders such as banks, credit unions and online financial institutions. With a personal loan, you receive funds as a lump sum that you repay in monthly installments. In addition to repaying the principal amount you borrowed, you pay interest and fees. One benefit of a personal loan is that it lets you repay a large sum over a longer period of time. Repayment terms vary by lender but can typically be as short as one year or as long as seven years for qualified borrowers. Another key benefit is that you can receive quick funding — some lenders can issue your loan funds as soon as one business day. However, a major downside is that if you have a less-than-stellar credit score, you may have to pay a high annual percentage rate (interest plus fees). Some lenders also have origination fees and maximum APRs greater than 30 percent. Who this is best for: Borrowers looking for lower interest rates than credit cards and high borrowing limits that don’t require collateral. Pros
Quick access to cash Typically doesn’t require collateral Some lenders have flexible repayment terms Cons
Steep interest rates on loans for subprime borrowers Loan origination fees and other fees depending on the lender You may have trouble qualifying for a personal loan if you have bad credit 2 Credit card cash advances
, when used responsibly, can be useful tools in an emergency. Many credit cards offer a cash advance feature that lets you or bank branch. How much cash you can borrow is limited by either a percentage of your card’s limit or a set maximum amount. Since the cash advance is tied to your existing card’s credit limit, it doesn’t require an additional credit check. Still, credit card cash advances have higher interest rates than your card’s variable APR. There is also no grace period like you get with everyday purchases. So, interest will start to accrue on the funds right away. You’ll also likely have to pay a transaction fee between 3 and 5 percent of the purchase amount. Who this is best for: Cardholders with active credit cards in good standing need to borrow small amounts. It might also be an option for existing cardholders whose credit score might not qualify them for a new line of credit. Pros
Funds are easily accessible from any ATM Same-day funding Cons
High cost of borrowing No grace period 3 Payday loans
are a type of that let you borrow a small amount (usually a few hundred dollars). The repayment term for these loans is extremely short, often within two weeks or by your next pay period. This kind of emergency loan is generally considered predatory because it charges exorbitant interest rates. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, payday loans typically charge interest as high as 400 percent. Furthermore, borrowers often cannot repay what’s owed by the due date, leading to excessive lender fees, multiple overdraft charges on your bank account and an even deeper debt hole. Who this is best for: Borrowers who need small amounts of money and can repay the loan in full within a short period. Payday loans should be avoided; instead, consider . Pros
Easy to qualify for since most lenders don’t require a credit check Fast funding Cons
Sky-high interest rates and fees Short repayment period 4 Title loans
A is another type of emergency loan that gets you fast access to cash. You may also qualify for a title loan without undergoing a hard credit check. It’s a secured loan that uses your vehicle title as collateral (hence the name). If you cannot repay the loan by the end of the loan term — typically 30 days — the lender can repossess your car to settle the outstanding debt. Who this is best for: Consumers who want to borrow small amounts and can repay their loans within a month. A title loan might be an option for borrowers who can’t access other types of emergency loans, but it should be considered only as a last resort. Pros
Quick access to cash Some lenders don’t require a credit check Cons
High interest rates A lender can repossess your vehicle if you default on the loan 5 Home equity loan or home equity line of credit HELOC
If you’ve , you might be eligible for a or . Based on your home’s appraised value and how much you have left on your first mortgage, you may be able to borrow thousands of dollars. A home equity loan is an installment loan that offers lump-sum funding, a fixed interest rate and repayment terms of up to 30 years. A HELOC is a from which you can draw funds for a fixed time, such as 10 years, with a repayment period of up to 20 years afterward. Both types of loans use your home as collateral, which puts it at risk of foreclosure if you can’t repay the loan. Who this is best for: for necessary expenses such as home renovations, repairs or education costs. Pros
Average home equity loan rates are typically lower than average personal loan and credit card rates Flexible repayment terms Cons
Requires a certain amount of equity in your home Lender can take your home if you default on the loan 6 Payment plans
If your urgent need for a loan results from an unexpected bill, a payment plan is an alternative to an emergency loan. For example, let’s say you have a large medical bill you can’t pay outright. You might be able to negotiate a manageable payment plan with your provider’s billing or accounting department. Who this is best for: Individuals who can pay for large expenses with lower monthly payments over longer repayment terms. This alternative is ideal because it avoids putting you further into debt. Pros
Some payments plans come with interest-free periods Cons
You may be charged interest or a fee 7 Paycheck advance
Some employers offer paycheck advances, also called payroll advances, through the company’s human resources department. A paycheck advance provides you with up-front funds from your future earnings. Depending on your employer’s payroll advance agreement and state laws, the loan might be automatically deducted from your paychecks in installments. If your employer offers this benefit, it might have limitations on amounts and how often paycheck advances are allowed. Who this is best for: Individuals who need small, short-term loans and work for employers that offer this loan option. Pros
Some employers offer interest-free paycheck advances Cons
Not offered by all employers 4 Friend or family member
Borrowing money from a friend or family member can be a difficult decision. However, it’s an option that can be helpful to address unexpected bills. If you have a willing family member or friend who agrees to give you an emergency loan, sit down with them to get on the same page about repayment expectations. Discuss whether they want to be paid in a lump sum or if installment payments are OK. If the latter, how long are they willing to give you to repay the entire loan, and how much do they expect for each installment? It’s also wise to ask if they expect interest on top of the principal amount. Who this is best for: Those with strong relationships with family members or trusted friends who are willing to help. Pros
A family member may charge you little to no interest Cons
Defaulting on the loan can ruin your relationship with the lender Which emergency loan should you get
Among the four kinds of emergency loans discussed above, personal loans offer the lowest out-of-pocket cost to borrow. Although the interest rate you’re approved for depends on your credit history, personal loan interest rates are still incredibly lower than payday or title loans. currently range from three percent to 36 percent; the average rate is 10.60 percent as of September 20, 2022. Choosing the right emergency loan solution for you, however, depends on a few factors. To decide on the emergency loan option that meets your needs, consider the following: Collateral. Emergency loans can be secured or unsecured, depending on the lender’s offerings and your qualifications. Discounts. Don’t forget to factor in any discounts you might be eligible for when choosing which personal loan you should get. One example is an interest rate discount. As an incentive to enroll in automatic loan payments, some lenders reduce your interest rate by a small percentage. Eligibility. Lenders evaluate multiple factors, like your credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio, to determine if you qualify for an emergency loan. Some lenders are flexible with certain factors so pay attention to these details. Fees. Fees add up, and not all lenders charge the same fees or fee amounts. Ask about application fees, origination fees, late fees and any other fees that might apply to you. Funding timeline. Find a lender that offers speedy funding if you need the loan funds ASAP. For example, some lenders can fund within the same day of being approved. Interest rates. The higher your credit score, the better interest rate you might qualify for. A low-rate loan reduces your total out-of-pocket borrowing costs. Repayment term. Like other loan details, lenders offer varying repayment terms. Some loans are as short as two years, while others are as long as seven years. Before moving forward with an emergency loan, to see how much your monthly payment might be and how much you’ll pay in interest and fees overall. If an or other loan option described above isn’t a viable option, consider turning to emergency loan alternatives, such as negotiating a payment plan with your creditor. Bottom line
Taking on additional debt to pay for a sudden expense can be a tricky situation to navigate if you’re unable to repay the . Before considering which emergency loans make sense for you, consider if there’s a way to save for the expense as a first option. If saving up isn’t possible, shop for an emergency loan with the lowest interest rate and borrow only what you need. Learn more
SHARE: Jennifer Calonia is an L.A.-based writer and editor. She's covered topics like debt, saving money and credit cards. You can find her work on Business Insider, Forbes and more. Aylea Wilkins is an editor specializing in personal and home equity loans. She has previously worked for Bankrate editing content about auto, home and life insurance. She has been editing professionally for nearly a decade in a variety of fields with a primary focus on helping people make financial and purchasing decisions with confidence by providing clear and unbiased information. Related Articles