The definition of a secured loan
A secured loan means that you can borrow money secured against an asset that you own. Secured loans are taken out over a fixed period of time, in which you agree to pay back the loan. Failing to do so, or defaulting on the loan, may result in the sale of the asset in order to recoup any losses.
What are secured loans for?
Secured loans help you borrow large sums of money against something you own, using it as collateral. They are often used for major expenses, such as large-scale house improvements or debt consolidation, and can be taken out over a long period of time. If a secured loan is taken out against your property, you are agreeing that, in the case that you can’t pay off the loan, you may need to sell your house to make the payment. Likewise, if you used your car as an asset, it may be repossessed if you don’t keep up your repayments. Lenders may see secured loans as lower risk because they know they can collect the money you owe from your assets if you don’t make the repayments.
Because of this security, secured loans may come with better interest rates and longer repayment terms. This can mean lower monthly repayments compared to an unsecured loan. As with all borrowing, you should consider the total amount you will need to repay overall when considering a product. The amount you are able to borrow and the rate that you are quoted by the lender will depend on your circumstances as with all loans, but with a secured loan, the amount of equity you have in your property will also affect this. If you are a homeowner but your credit history is not perfect, you might find that you are offered secured loans.