Pros and Cons of Online Installment Loans

Americans are gradually transitioning from payday to installment loans considering them a better alternative. According to CFSI report, payday loans market decreased 23% in 2016. The representatives explain a shift to be a result of the appearance of other alternatives for borrowers. Installment loans are becoming a reasonable substitution to the good old payday loans. Still, not every borrower will agree with this statement.

As well as many other personal loans, installment loans are controversial containing both pros and cons. In fact, it’s almost impossible to benefit from taking a loan and paying off the debt – finally, you will lose money on fees and extra payments. Still, you can protect yourself from unpredictable and unpleasant situations and go through the stress-free repayment process.

So, here are main pros and cons of installment loans.

Instalment Loans Inside Out

In general, installment loans are online loans paid out monthly. It means that a borrower doesn’t have to pay off a debt immediately when he receives a salary, for instance. A borrower negotiates with a lender and defines a specific date to pay the regular payment (installment) and its size.

This principle makes installment loans less stressful than other types of the loan.

The loan amount, as well as other details, are variable and it all depends on the “personal story” of every borrower. Just because the lender can provide $10,000 doesn’t mean a borrower will qualify for this sum.

Installment Loan Pros: How to Benefit

Installment loans are considered friendlier than their good old brothers are. No one knows the reason: it might be their real entity or a wise trick to attract clients. All in all, installment loans have some benefits for borrowers.

The repayment process is more convenient as you set a number and the size of the payments that are fixed. Before defining these figures, a borrower has time to understand whether he will manage to pay off the debt. This option also allows changing the size and the number of the payments and adjusting them to the income.

Installment loans are available for people with bad credit. By the way, with the help of on-time payments and excellent behavior, a borrower can even improve his bad credit and qualify for loans that are more reasonable.

You can pay off the debt quicker with the help of the bigger payments or slower with the help of the smaller payments. You can coordinate this process (of course, after negotiation with a lender).

Installment loans are good for people, who can’t afford to pay off the debt in one month with a whole lump of money. It’s their major advantage over payday loans, for instance.

Still…

Still, nothing is that brilliant and simple. The major drawback of the installment loans is the high interest and additional fees. Of course, the lenders accept risk when dealing with a person with a low credit or bankruptcy in the credit report but the interest sometimes can be sky-high.

It doesn’t mean that installment loans are a “forbidden topic”. It means that every customer should think twice before making this step. Furthermore, it’s crucial to find a qualified and reliable lender, who won’t cheat you.

If you decide to apply for an installment loan, then you should be careful. Many lenders don’t mention additional fees and different forms of credit insurance that substantially increase the cost of the loan. Still, they have to tell about it if a client asks. Therefore, ask about all possible fees and additional payments and read all documents carefully.

Independent Verdict – Fair Assessment

Installment loans are a relatively new product on the market and not every person learned them inside out. Therefore, the only important thing that can save a borrower is caution and truly trustworthy lender.

This kind of a loan has a right to exist as it helps borrowers to overcome financial issues. Paying attention to details and coping with the reliable lender will reduce all chances to lose and polish all cons of the installment loans.