A cross-collateralized loan is where one piece of collateral secures more than one loan.
Credit unions often cross-collateralize credit card and signature loans with car loans, which can be disastrous for the borrower.
Everyone knows that if you buy a car with a loan, the lender has a lien against the car to secure the payment.
The lien allows the creditor to repossess the car if you do not make all of the payments.
why is a cross-collateralized loan bad?
A cross-collateralization agreement allows the lien against the collateral (such as your car) to secure additional debts other than the car loan.
- This means that if you don’t pay a credit card that is cross-collateralized with your car, then the creditor can repossess your car.
- This is true even if you are current on the car loan!
- Very few people who sign cross collateralization agreements realize that they are agreeing to this sort of treatment
The contract language that creates the cross-collateralization is often buried deep in the fine print, and it is not obvious when you are signing the financing agreement.
Credit Unions almost always have cross-collateralization agreements.
- Be careful if they ask you to sign something called a loan liner agreement, this will cross-collateralize your debts.
HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CROSS-COLLATERALIZED CAR LOANS?
The best way is to make sure not to take out credit cards or signature loans from the same lender that gave you the car loan.
- Make sure not to have any other loans from the bank where you have your car loan
- Banks won’t cross-collateralize the loans of other banks, so this way you are safe
- You should also avoid borrowing from credit unions, as they almost always have borrowers sign cross-collateralization agreements
Credit unions like to put your car at risk to make sure that they get paid on risky loans like credit cards and signature loans.
HOW DO CROSS-COLLATERALIZED CAR LOANS WORK IN BANKRUPTCY?
If you file for bankruptcy when you have a cross-collateralized loan, you have two choices on what to do with the collateral:
1. Reaffirm all of the loans
- You could reaffirm all of the loans that are secured by the collateral and continue making payments after the bankruptcy until they are all paid off
This allows you to keep the collateral, but means that you will have to pay off debts that would be dischargeable in bankruptcy if there were no cross-collateralization agreement.
2. Surrender the collateral
- You could surrender the collateral and allow the bank to repossess it, then you will have no more debts at the end of the bankruptcy
Unfortunately, you will also lose the collateral, however this is probably the better option if the loans secured by the collateral are worth much more than the collateral.
You can also take some more complicated actions in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but filing a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy has additional consequences that are too complicated to list here.
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you’ve discovered that you’ve got a cross-collateralized loan, and want to know if there’s something you can do about it, and whether filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Minnesota is right for you, then why not not speak to us now at 612.824.4357?
We’ll give you all the help and advice you need.
Alternatively, fill out our free Bankruptcy Evaluation Form to see if filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Minnesota is right for you.
We’re looking forward to helping you.
