How do I get an extension on my car payment?
Asked by: Sienna Pacocha | Last update: July 4, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (47 votes)
Can you ask for an extension on your car payment?
Request a Deferral
Some allow you to defer your entire payment, while others require you to keep paying interest. Some may also limit the number of times you can request a deferral or even prohibit deferrals entirely if you're already behind on your bills. Check with your lender to understand your options.
Is there a way to postpone a car payment?
Push Back or Change the Payment Due Date
If your lender allows it, you can ask that the due date be pushed back a few weeks, giving you more time to come up with the money. However, you should keep in mind that changing your due date may affect the total amount of interest you pay at the end of your loan.
What's a good excuse to defer a car payment?
A car loan deferment is when a lender allows you to postpone one or more payments to a later date. Some borrowers said they chose to defer car payments when they faced unexpected expenses, like an illness, hurricane or death in the family. Others simply couldn't afford their loans.
Does getting an extension on your car payment hurt your credit?
Deferring loan payments might let you skip or move several payments without affecting your credit scores. If you're struggling to afford payments and think you might miss one soon—or you've missed several payments and are trying to catch up—a deferment could help you get back on your feet.
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How many months can you be behind on your car payment?
While repossession can occur after a single missed payment, most lenders wait until you're 30 to 90 days behind on payments. That means you can face repossession after you've missed one, two or three payments.
How to ask for deferred payment?
Contact your lender: The first step is reaching out to your lender and explaining your situation. Deferment can be a useful tool if you're experiencing financial hardship due to a reduction of hours or job loss or economic hardship due to medical reasons or a life-changing event.
What can I do if I can't afford my car payment?
If you can't afford your car loan repayments, the first thing to do is to talk to your lender as soon as possible. Many lenders will work with you to avoid losing money. They may offer you one or more of these options: A payment deferral, where you have more time to make payments.
How many extensions can you get on a car payment?
Lenders are not all equal, so the number of deferments you'll be allowed on a car loan will vary. Keep in mind that many lenders will only approve one deferment, where others may approve two or more. Those stipulations could also apply yearly, or to the life of your entire loan.
Can you freeze your car loan payments?
If you find yourself facing financial challenges, you may be wondering, “Can you defer a car payment?” Yes, many lenders allow their borrowers to defer a car payment to the end of their loan when necessary. There numerous reasons to defer a car payment. Anyone can find themself in a financial emergency.
Does anyone help with car payments?
Options that provide temporary assistance include loan extensions and repayment plans. In a loan extension the lender takes the payments you missed or are asking to skip and adds them to the end of the loan.
How often can I defer a car payment?
Each lender has a different deferment policy, so the number of times you can ask to defer a car payment will vary. Some lenders allow only one deferment, while others allow two or sometimes more. Whether this number applies yearly or to your entire loan term will also vary by lender.
How to extend a car loan?
Contact the lender to explain that you are struggling to stay afloat financially and risk falling behind on your auto loan payments. Ask if they will lower the interest rate or extend your loan term to make the monthly payments more affordable.
How do you politely ask for a payment extension?
Due to an unexpected emergency that has occurred, I will be unable to make this payment by the [date] I am requesting an extension of [time] to make this payment. If you review my file, I believe you will find that my payments have generally been made in a timely fashion.
How to get a deferred car payment?
If you're eligible and communicate your situation to your lender in time, they may offer loan deferment as a solution to keep you from defaulting on your loan. Whether or not you can get one may depend on your lender, your loan agreement and the current status of your loan. Not all auto lenders grant loan deferments.
Do churches help with car payments?
Yes, many churches and faith-based organizations offer assistance to individuals struggling with car payments. What Churches Help With Car Payments? Organizations such as Lutheran Services, St. Vincent De Paul, and Catholic Charities are known for providing this type of support.
Can I extend my car payment due date?
If this is the case, then you may be wondering: “Can you change due dates on car loans?” The short answer is yes, but you should know that payment requirements and limitations will vary from lender to lender and may require you to contact the car loan company to change your due date.
Does a car payment extension hurt your credit?
Deferments do not hurt your credit score. Unlike simply missing a payment or paying it late, a deferred payment counts as “paid according to agreement,” since you arranged it with your lender ahead of time. That's especially important if you're already in the kind of emergency that would call for a deferment.
How does a car payment extension work?
A payment extension allows you to defer your payment due date and extend the time you have to make your payment. After the extension period ends, you resume making your regularly scheduled vehicle payments.
Can my car be repossessed if I make partial payments?
You may be wondering, "Can my car be repossessed if I make partial payments?" The answer is yes. Your lender can repossess your car when you make partial payments, regardless of the past payment history. Generally, it is assumed that partial payments equate to a breach of the contract between the lender and the debtor.
How to get auto loan forgiveness?
Generally, you can apply for hardship relief on the lender's website. You'll need to provide certain information and documentation verifying your situation during the application process. This may include: Loan details like the remaining balance, interest rate or APR and payment history.
Can I give my car back to the bank if I can t afford it anymore?
Voluntarily surrendering a car involves informing your lender that you can no longer make payments and intend to return it. Empty your car of all personal items and arrange the time and place to drop off your car and hand over the keys.
What is a hardship deferment?
A deferment is a way to postpone paying back your student loans for a certain period of time. The economic hardship deferment is available only if you have a federal student loan. You are eligible only if you are not in default on your loans and if you obtained the loans on or after July 1, 1993.
Can you pause a car payment?
Missing your payment isn't an option, so you may be wondering “Can you defer a car payment?” Yes, many lenders will allow their borrowers to defer a car payment to the end of their loan when needed. There are a variety of reasons to defer a car payment.
Who qualifies for deferred payments?
You're eligible for this automatic deferment if you're enrolled at least half-time at an eligible college or career school. If you're a graduate or professional student who received a Direct PLUS Loan, you qualify for an additional six months of deferment after you cease to be enrolled at least half-time.