Can They Repo My Car In Chapter 13?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If your debt repayment plan does not deal with the arrearage, or you fail to make the monthly Chapter 13 payments according to your plan, however,

the lender can repossess your car

.

What happens to my car after Chapter 13?

If you're behind on your car loan or lease and you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy,

you can keep your car if you pay the arrearage (the amount you're behind) through your repayment plan and continue to make your regular car payments

.

Can your car get repossessed during bankruptcies?

Vehicle Repossession in Bankruptcy


Normally, during a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the car loan lender is prohibited from repossessing your vehicle or trying to collect the debt owed on the vehicle

. That is called an “automatic stay”, and it makes it illegal for most to continue any collection activities.

Can I lower my car payment in Chapter 13?


Chapter 13 bankruptcy provides a process called a “cram down” that allows you to reduce the principal balance on your loan to the current market value

. For example, if you owe $15,000 on a car loan for a vehicle that is worth only $10,000, you might be able to reduce the principal to $10,000.

How many cars can you keep in Chapter 13?

You can keep

two cars

in Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but you'll need to be prepared to show that you can pay creditors for any vehicle equity that isn't covered by a bankruptcy exemption.

Can I get a car loan after Chapter 13 discharge?

While it might not be the easiest process,

getting a car loan during Chapter 13 bankruptcy is possible

. After you complete your repayment plan and are discharged from bankruptcy, financing options also exist. Do your homework and research auto loan rates well ahead of time.

Do you still owe after repossession?

If your car or other property is repossessed,

you might still owe the lender money on the contract

. The amount you owe is called the “deficiency” or “deficiency balance.”

Can a repossession be reversed?

Find out if you can get it back


Often, a bank or repossession company will let you get your car back if you pay back the loan in full, along with all the repossession costs, before it's sold at auction

. You can sometimes reinstate the loan and work out a new payment plan, too.

What can they take during bankruptcies?

  • personal items and clothing.
  • household furniture, food and equipment in your permanent home.
  • tools necessary to your work.
  • a motor vehicle with a value up to a certain limit, usually an older vehicle qualifies.
  • certain farm property.

What happens if you don't reaffirm your car loan?

If you don't sign a reaffirmation agreement,

the lender can repossess your car after your case closes and the automatic stay lifts

. Some car lenders are known to repossess the car immediately, even if you are current on payments.

What is the 910 rule?

The 910-Day Rule Qualification

One limitation to cramming down your car loan is that

you must acquire the car loan more than 910 days before you filed for bankruptcy

. The law intends to prohibit cramdowns on newly purchased cars. If 910 days haven't passed, you won't be able to cram down the loan.

What happens after you pay off Chapter 13?

Once you finish your Chapter 13 repayment plan,

the remaining 30 percent of your debt is discharged

, meaning you won't have to repay that remaining debt. If you pay your Chapter 13 plan off early, you alter the agreed upon terms of your bankruptcy case.

What is a cram down in Chapter 13?

Cramdowns are

reductions in the amount owed to creditors

, often part of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing. Cramdown provisions allow bankruptcy courts to ignore objections by creditors to recognize debts.

Can a creditor take my only car?

Can the Judgment Creditor Take My Car? The short answer to the question, “Can a judgment creditor take my car?” is “Maybe.” Generally,

creditors will only take a vehicle if your car has value

. A car with value can be beneficial to a creditor, as they can sell it and use that money to pay off the debt you owe.

What can you keep in a Chapter 13?

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can keep

all of your property

. But that doesn't mean that you won't have to pay for some of it. You're allowed to protect, or “exempt,” a certain amount of equity in the property you'll need to maintain a home and job.

Will my credit score increase after Chapter 13 discharge?

Average Credit Score After Chapter 13 Discharge


Your credit score after a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy discharge will vary

. Your new score will depend on how good or bad your credit score was prior to the filing of the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. For most individuals, you can expect to see quite a dip in your overall credit score.

How long does it take to rebuild credit after Chapter 13?

Unlike a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy stays on a consumer's credit report for just seven years. In general, though, it takes anywhere from

12 to 18 months

to start improving your credit score after your Chapter 13 bankruptcy is discharged.

Can I be a cosigner while in Chapter 13?

With a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing,

the automatic stay extends to cosigners, too

. Keep in mind that the balance is still owed, but collections can't be pursued, which is why it's better for you because creditors can't harass you while the borrower goes through the bankruptcy process.

How can I stop a repossession?

  1. Communicate With Your Lender. As soon as you think you might miss a car payment, reach out to your lender to discuss your options. …
  2. Refinance Your Loan. …
  3. Reinstate the Loan. …
  4. Sell the Car Yourself. …
  5. Surrender the Vehicle Voluntarily.

What happens to your personal belongings when your car is repossessed?

Your personal belongings are your personal belongings. If a repo company took your car,

you have the right to get these belongings back without having to pay a fee

. Even if your car has been repossessed, you have rights including the right to get your personal belongings back.

Can you get another car after a repo?


Securing a loan to buy a new car is possible even with a repossession on your credit report

. However, you may have a hard time finding a lender. And if you do get approved, the financing can be expensive.

Is a charge off worse than a repossession?

Is a charge off worse than a car repossession? Since a car loan is usually an installment loan with secured debt, a promise is made in the contract that the car can be taken back (repossessed) if payments aren't made.

A car loan charge off is not the same as a car repossession, but they both hurt your credit

.

Should I pay off a repossession?


Paying off a repossession can help your credit score since it reduces debt owed

, and you may be able to get the item removed from your credit report. However, the significance of impact on your score depends on your credit history and profile and whether you take a settlement.

How do you negotiate a car repossession?


Call the bank and ask to speak to a loan officer or supervisor who has the authority to negotiate with you

. Heaps recommends being proactive in calling as soon as you realize you are at risk of repossession, which typically happens when you have missed at least one payment.

Ahmed Ali
Author
Ahmed Ali
Ahmed Ali is a financial analyst with over 15 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked for major banks and investment firms, and has a wealth of knowledge on investing, real estate, and tax planning. Ahmed is also an advocate for financial literacy and education.