Being a Co-signer on a Bad Credit Loan

Co-signing for a friend or family member on a bad credit loan is a generous offer that could make all the difference in their ability to get the money they need. A co-signer should not have their decision made any easier, however. Prospective co-signers should be aware of the implications of this situation, especially when it comes to their responsibilities to the loan if the borrower doesn't pay on time.

It's a common misconception among co-signers that this loan will appear on their credit report. Keep in mind that if you co-sign on a bad credit loan, your debt-to-income ratio will be used to determine whether or not you will be able to get a loan of your own in the future. Loan rates can also be affected. Co-signing a bad credit loan for a friend or family member may be a good idea, but only if you know that after a certain number of on-time payments, the borrower will attempt to redo the loan under their own name. Co-signing for more money means that you will be part of the loan for a longer time.

Co-signer access to account information is critical because the loan's outcome can have a significant impact on the co-credit signer's score both positively and negatively. You'll be able to see how much you've paid back and how much you still owe. Make sure the lender will notify you as soon as possible if the borrower is late on a payment or refuses to pay. A problem with the loan is often not told to co-signers until it has already hurt their credit score.

Consider how your relationship with your friend or family member will be affected, as well as how you will affect their credit by co-signing a loan for them. Money problems can wreak havoc on a relationship faster than anything else. If you are a co-signer, it is important to look at the circumstances that led to the person needing one in the first place. If it comes down to simple financial mismanagement, you're doing neither them nor yourself any favors. If, on the other hand, it's the result of events beyond their control, you might want to think about it.

Co-signing for friends and family is a risky endeavor, so don't make it a habit. More requests are on their way your way as a result of the word getting out. Do not co-sign for a bad credit loan if you have any doubts about your ability to cover the debt if the borrower defaults. Saying no can be difficult, but the ability to do so is critical.

Have the borrower send you proof of payments, such as regular statements or cancelled checks, if you want to make sure they are being made. As an additional precaution on your part, the borrower should purchase bad credit loan insurance to cover payments for a specified period of time in the event of unemployment, illness, or death.

It takes more than just your signature to sign a bad credit loan for someone else. The stakes are high when it comes to lending money to someone you don't know. Reviewing the borrower's need for money and their spending habits is critical. Let go of any guilt you may feel about their financial situation and walk away with a clear head. Becoming a cosigner on a bad credit loan can make sense in some situations. That decision is up to you. Keep in mind the cost of any missed payments and whether or not your lender will keep you updated on your bad credit loan's payment status.