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Should I pay more than the monthly payment each month on my car loan?

I want to get rid of my car loan as fast as possible. Is it a smart move to put more money toward the monthly payment each month to get out of debt?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Good question! Deciding to pay more than the monthly payment each month on your
car loan
requires careful consideration of many factors. Here’s what to consider.
First, consider your financial situation. Would paying a few hundred extra dollars a month hurt your finances? Would you rather have the money in your savings for an emergency? These are two important questions to answer.
Another consideration is whether your lender charges a
prepayment penalty
. If they do, paying extra each month and paying off your loan early may actually cost you more than just paying your monthly note for the duration of the loan.
The last aspect to think about is your
car insurance
. If you don’t pay your loan down early, you have to pay for full coverage car insurance for the duration of the loan. While this offers great protection for your asset, it can get pricey six or seven years down the road.
Regardless of whether you decide to pay more toward you loan each month or go with the monthly payment, you can always save money by comparing car insurance rates. To make the process quick and easy, hop on the
Jerry
app to compare rates from over 50 reputable companies.
Best of luck with paying down your loan!
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