Emergency costs have a habit of appearing out of the blue, and in these situations even the savviest budgeter may need a helping hand with their finances. Whether a boiler breakdown or house repair, these are unpredictable events that usually need to be dealt with quickly.
Searching for an emergency loan with CashLady could be a suitable option to source the money you need.
What is an emergency loan?
An emergency loan could offer a solution to an urgent, unplanned cost.
If you’re approved for an emergency loan, you can use the money to cover the expense. You’ll then repay the money you’ve borrowed, plus interest, in monthly instalments over a set number of months or years.
Is an emergency loan right for me?
Applying for a loan requires careful consideration.
We understand that being faced with a financial emergency is very stressful, and it’s easy to panic and perhaps rush into making a decision that’s not quite right for you.
Before you search for an emergency loan, you should ask yourself the following questions.
- Can you afford a loan? When you take out a loan, you’re not just required to repay the money you’ve borrowed – you’ll also be charged interest, which will be added to your monthly repayments.
- Have you explored the possible alternatives to an emergency loan? For example, could a loved one help you out? Do you have any money in savings that you can use instead?
- Have you taken a step back and properly assessed the situation? When something goes wrong, it’s natural to fear the worst… But is the expense really that urgent? If your car needs repairs, is it absolutely necessary that you take it to the garage straightaway? To save you paying interest on a loan, could you perhaps wait a couple of months and save up the money yourself while carpooling with a friend or colleague or using public transport? It can be hard to think outside the box when we’re dealing with a dilemma, but doing so could help you put things into perspective.
Who should not apply for an emergency loan?
You shouldn’t apply for an emergency loan – or any other type of loan – unless you’re 100% certain that you’re able to afford your monthly repayments alongside your essential outgoings, such as housing and bills.
Can I apply for an emergency loan with CashLady?
CashLady is a credit broker. We could help you search for an emergency loan that’s suitable for your personal circumstances.
You can use CashLady to search for an emergency loan if you:
- Are over the age of 18;
- Are a UK resident;
- Have a UK bank account and valid debit card; and
- Have a regular source of income paid into your bank account.
Could I get an emergency loan for people with bad credit?
Applying for an emergency loan when you have bad credit could prove difficult. Your borrowing options may be few, and the interest rates associated with bad credit loans could be higher than a standard loan. In addition to this, you might not be approved to borrow your desired loan amount and may need to apply for a lower sum of money.
Several of the lenders that CashLady works with specialise in bad credit emergency loans and they could be willing to consider your application.
No credit history emergency loans
Having no credit history, known as having a ‘thin’ credit file, could also negatively affect your chances of being considered for an emergency loan.
Your credit history plays a big role in your application to borrow credit and gives lenders an idea of how you’ve managed credit commitments in the past.
With no credit history to show, your chances of being considered for a loan could be low.
There are some lenders, including a number of those on the CashLady panel, who are willing to consider applications for people with a thin credit file, although you could be presented with a higher interest rate. This will increase your overall cost of borrowing.
What’s the difference between an emergency payday loan and an emergency short-term loan?
An emergency payday loan will need to be repaid within a month, while an emergency short-term loan comes with a range of repayment terms, allowing you to spread the cost of borrowing.
Please note that CashLady does not work with any lenders of payday loans
I’d like to apply for an emergency loan; how much money could I get, and how long do I have to repay it?
With CashLady, you can search for an emergency loan between £100 and £10,000. The lenders on the CashLady panel offer repayment terms from 3 to 60 months; the repayment terms available to you will depend on the amount of money you apply to borrow.
Please note that CashLady only works with lenders of short-term loans. None of the lenders on our panel offer payday loans.
Direct lender emergency loans
You could apply for an emergency loan with a direct lender, but please be aware that a direct lender can only check your eligibility for their product(s), which might not necessarily be the right match for your financial circumstances. Each time you make a direct lender emergency loan application, a creditworthiness assessment will be carried out, and this typically includes a hard search. A hard search will remain on your credit file for up to 12 months, and undergoing multiple hard searches in a short period of time will harm your credit score.
Searching for an emergency loan with a credit broker, like CashLady, could prevent you from having to guess which lenders might be a suitable match for you, and, as a result, could help reduce the number of hard searches you undergo.
How do you choose the right lender for an emergency short-term loan?
When searching for a loan through CashLady, we’ll try and match you with the lender most likely to consider your application, based on the information you’ve provided. Before deciding whether to complete the application with the lender, you may wish to take a closer look into the following points.
- Loan amount. Ensure the lender offers the amount of money you need to borrow.
- Annual percentage rate (APR). The APR reflects the annual cost of the loan and includes interest and standard fees. The lower the APR, the less you’ll pay in interest.
- Speed of application. Every lender will have their own payout timeframe. Some lenders could send your money on the same day as your application is approved.
If you have a specific deadline that you need the money for, you might choose to approach a lender that offers same-day loans, although please be aware that the time it takes for the money to become available in your account will depend on your bank’s policies and procedures. - Repayment schedule. If you’re offered a loan, you must ensure you’re comfortable with the payment schedule and that you can meet your monthly repayments without falling into financial difficulty. While a longer repayment window will provide you with more time to repay the loan and lower the cost of your monthly repayments, you will pay more in interest overall, so it’s important to strike a balance between the two.
- Fees. Check whether there are any additional fees attached to the loan, such as an early repayment fee or a late payment charge.
Why choose CashLady to help you search for an emergency loan?
- Our online form takes just five minutes to complete.
- Our service is completely free to use.
- Quotes are no-obligation.
- If approved, your money could be sent today.*
- CashLady is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Do emergency loans affect your credit score?
Yes, an emergency loan – like any type of loan - will have an impact on your credit score.
When you take out a loan, it’s vital to make your repayments in full and on time each month – not doing so will cause your credit score to decline.
If your repayments are made on time throughout your chosen loan term, and you keep on top of any existing credit commitments, your credit score could potentially improve.
I can’t afford to repay my emergency loan; what happens next?
This situation can be frightening, but please try not to worry. The most important thing to do is contact your lender. You should do this as soon as you feel like you might make a late repayment or miss one altogether.
Your lender might be able to suggest things that could help you through this difficult time, such as offering a repayment holiday or temporarily reducing your repayments.
I need help with money; where can I get advice?
The following charities and organisations provide free, confidential debt and money management advice to anyone who needs it: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.
*Payout timescales vary between lenders. The time it takes for the money to become available in your account will depend on your bank’s policies and procedures.
