Before you get the wrong idea, no auto repair shop offers a free car repair service, unless you're lucky. However, there is a way for you to pay for the car repairs even if you don't have currently any money, and luck has nothing to do with it. In this article, we will be discussing auto repair financing and other ways to finance car repairs.
Let's face it - car repairs and maintenance are quite expensive and totally unavoidable. Despite doing your best to keep your car in good condition, there are just some unforeseen circumstances that may leave you with no option but to take it to a full service auto repair. Unless you have a second car at home or wouldn't mind using public transportation, you really have no choice in the matter.
According to some surveys, the usual cost of auto repairs can go from $500 to $1,000 and more. Even if the repairs you need are due to a car accident and you have your car insurance, you might still have to pay a good amount of money depending on your insurance coverage.
How to Save Money on Car Repairs
Let's say your car broke down unexpectedly and you have no budget for such emergencies, how will you pay for the car repairs? Well, you can always try and see if you can do the repairs yourself however, there are certain repairs that only an expert mechanic with the right tools and methods can fix.
You can also try to look for an auto repair shop that's cheap and offers a better deal. However, you can't be entirely sure that they're using high-quality tools and products or if their service can be trusted.
Another way of saving money on repairs is by trying to negotiate a lower price with your local mechanic. You can also ask if they have any special discounts that you can avail of.
If none of these methods work, well, there's always auto repair financing and other ways of paying for your car repairs. Let's go through these options one by one.
How to Pay for Car Repairs with No Money On-Hand
There are times when even after doing everything you can to save money on your repairs, there are still remaining repairs that you need to spend money on. That's where these options for paying for car repairs come in. If you haven't tried any of these before, it's best to get to know these options before choosing any of them.
1. Apply for personal loans
When you are faced with car repairs that you are not financially equipped to deal with, applying for personal loans can help. If you have a clean credit record, you can easily and quickly apply for a personal loan and get cash right away.
However, if you have bad credit or no credit score at all, you can try same-day payday loans. This allows you to loan money quickly and repay it on your next payday. The best thing about this loan is that it doesn't require any traditional hard credit checks.
Remember, before applying for a personal loan, you have to speak to a loan consultant about the rates or any hidden fees and how much money you qualify for. It's best to loan from a trusted and secure agency to make sure you are not being scammed.
2. Auto repair financing
There are local auto repair shops that offer auto repair loans. It can be in a form of a store credit card or car repair payment plan via a personal loan from their lending partner. This is one of the best ways to finance your car repairs if you're currently financially unable to pay right away.
Just make sure to check the payment terms before signing an agreement. Auto repair loans are great for quick vehicle repairs. Find a trusted auto repair shop like Car Geeks where you can get approved for your loan request.
3. Credit card coverage
There are auto repair shops that accept credit cards to pay for car repairs. This type of payment can be quick and easy is great to use for emergencies such as unexpected car repairs.
Credit cards come in handy when you need them but you have to avoid overspending or maxing out your credit card to avoid future problems. Make sure to use it only for emergencies like unexpected car repairs.
4. Personal loan from family or friends
If you're not so sure about car repair loans, you can always borrow money from your family or friends. They're the best people to lend money from because they're the ones you can trust the most and will always be there to help you. Besides, if money isn't handed out to you, you're going to repay them on time.
The best thing about borrowing from family members or friends is that chances are, they won't ask for additional charges and interest fees. You just have to make sure that you'll pay them on the day you promise you will. You can even devise a smart payment plan and perhaps add a little interest or a small gift for their generosity. Paying them on time will help ensure that your relationship will still be intact and will not be stained.
5. Car repair insurance coverage
If you want to save money for unexpected car repairs, you can always count on insurance companies. You might not be able to afford car repairs at the moment, but you can afford cheaper auto insurance payments. It would be more beneficial if you pay a smaller amount every now and then so you can have coverage in case your car needs fixing.
After all, paying for unforeseen car repairs can be much more expensive than staggered insurance payments. Insurance companies are able to cover the costs of your car's damage especially when in unfortunate circumstances like car accidents, theft, or auto breakdowns. Choose an insurance company with customized coverage that suits your needs.
As a car owner, there will always be unexpected car repairs that you might cross paths with along the road. If you have an emergency fund set up for situations like this, the better. But, if you're currently out of budget, there are plenty of ways to finance your car repair.
There are ways to save money on car repairs such as doing the repairs on your own if you can and finding auto repair shops with great deals. If none of these works, you can always apply for loans or auto repair financing.
Other options include using your credit card or perhaps borrowing from family or friends. To prevent this financial struggle from happening again in the future, it's best if you get car repair insurance coverage from a trusted insurance agency.
See? There are many ways for your car to get repaired even if you have no money on hand. Just be wise when using any of these methods and save up for future emergencies like these.