A secured debt simply means that in the event of default, the lender can seize the asset to collect the funds it has advanced the borrower. Common types of secured debt for consumers are mortgages and auto loans, in which the item being financed becomes the collateral for the financing.
Take Inventory of What You Owe. Make a Budget. Avoid New Debt. Use a Debt Repayment Strategy. Reach Out to a Credit Counselor. Consider Debt Relief. Look Into Other Financial Assistance Programs.
If you can't or don't want to keep paying the secured debt, you have the option to surrender the collateral. This means you give the property back to the lender, and you're no longer responsible for the debt.
Key takeaways Mortgages, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and auto loans are all forms of secured debt, while most personal loans, credit cards, student loans and medical loans are unsecured debt.
Secured debt is explicitly collateralized, placing a lien on specific assets, which facilitates enforcement. Unsecured debt is backed by unencumbered assets and thus implicitly collateralized. The explicit col- lateralization of secured debt entails costs but enables higher leverage.
If paying back the debt is not an option, you may need to consider filing for bankruptcy. There are two common types of bankruptcy for individuals: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 bankruptcy: This allows for the discharge of most, if not all, of your unsecured debts, so you won't be required to repay them.
Are secured loans easier to get? Generally speaking, yes. Because you're usually putting your home as a guarantee for payments, the lender will see you as less of a risk, and they'll rely less on your credit history and credit score to make the judgement.
This most commonly means credit card debt, but can also refer to items like personal loans and medical debt.
If the debt is unsecured, the creditor can: Stop doing business with you. Report your debt to a credit reporting agency. Bring a lawsuit to collect the debt.