What Is Defaulting on a Loan?

What Is Defaulting on a Loan?

If you take on debt, such as a mortgage, a credit card balance, a student loan, or some other type of personal loan, you sign a contract with your lender, binding you to the terms stated in it.

Your contract will state the time frame that your loan can be overdue (delinquent) before it goes into default. This can range from a month for mortgages to 270 days for certain types of student loans. It will also describe your lender's recourse should you default on your loan.

What Happens if You Default on a Loan?

If you default on a loan such as a personal loan or credit card, you may face consequences including late fees, collection procedures, and lawsuits. When you default on a secured loan, such as a mortgage or automobile loan, your lender can foreclose on your house or repossess your car. Any defaults on a loan can lead to wage garnishment, which can make it harder to meet your everyday financial obligations.

Loan defaults will also show up in your credit history and be reflected in your credit score, which will decline, and it will be very difficult for you to get credit in the future.

Here are just a few examples of what will happen when you default on some of the most common types of loans.

Defaulting on a Credit Card

The first thing that will happen if you default on your credit card payments is that you'll have to pay late fees for every month you don’t make a payment. After a month, your credit card issuer will report your delinquent payment to the three major credit bureaus. After you miss two minimum payments, which is generally at the 60-day mark, your annual percentage rate (APR) will go up, which increases the amount you owe, along with the amount of the late fees.

The longer you stay in default, the more your credit score will be impacted. After six months, the credit card company may charge off your account and send it to collections. At that point, your credit history and credit score are severely and adversely affected. You may be sued or forced into bankruptcy.

Defaulting on a Student Loan

Defaulting on student loans can make it more difficult to get federal student aid, and your entire loan balance can even become due all at once. The good news is that student loan lenders are typically very forgiving when it comes to working out a payment plan if you become unemployed. There are programs for loan forgiveness, payment deferral, and forbearance.

Defaulting on an Automobile Loan

If you skip more than one payment on your auto loan, you risk having your car repossessed by the lender. It will be sold at auction, and if it sells for less than you owe, you will be responsible for the difference, plus expenses, or you may face a lawsuit.

Defaulting on a Mortgage

A mortgage default puts you in danger of losing your home. Before the bank or lending company can foreclose on the home and evict you, it has to file a notice of default with the court. After this notice is filed, you can either make an agreement with the lender or bring your mortgage up to date by paying the delinquent payments. If you can’t manage one of those options, the home will be foreclosed on, and you will be evicted. Depending on state law, you may still have to pay on the home if it is not sold for enough to pay off the loan. You may also be liable for expenses.

Exact details may vary by loan type, but if you default on a loan, lenders can take a number of actions against you that can ruin your credit and cost you money right up until retirement.

Loan Default vs. Delinquency

It's important not to confuse loan default with delinquency. You are delinquent on a loan the first day your payment is late. This usually comes with a late fee, and you may lose other benefits, such as the grace period on a credit card. But you aren't considered to be in default until you're delinquent for a longer period, which varies by loan type. The consequences for defaulting on a loan are much more severe than those for being delinquent.

What to Do if You Default on a Loan

Rather than default on a loan, it is always best to work with the lender to find a solution. The best thing you can do is contact your lender as soon as you think you may have trouble making payments.

If you do default on a loan, however, there are a few steps you can take. Federal student loans offer several options for loan deferment and rehabilitation, and these payment programs are usually income-based. Mortgage lenders will often work with you to help you avoid foreclosure, and credit card companies will help you set up payment plans.

If you fall too far behind on your debts, you can explore more drastic measures, such as a loan-consolidation program or even bankruptcy. These aren't measures to be taken lightly, but they can provide a way to get back on track. Be sure to talk to a lawyer first.