Car title loans are secured loans, meaning the car is collateral for the loan. As a result, the vehicle is a very important part of the online title loan transaction.
Having said that, getting a car title loan without bringing in the vehicle is possible. In fact, many online car title loans are completed without bringing the vehicle in for an inspection and without the lender seeing the car.
In these cases, the title loan is done without the vehicle present and without seeing the car in person. Instead, the lender uses vehicle pictures and a history report to verify its condition and assess its value.
To get one of these loans you will need to meet some specific requirements. You will also need to apply for a specific type of online title loan.
Can I get a Title Loan without Bringing in my Car?
Can you get a title loan without bringing in your car? Yes, it is possible as long as you:
- Own the vehicle,
- Have a lien free title, and
- Have access to the vehicle.
The real question, instead of “can I get a title loan without the car” is “can I get a title loan without bringing the car to the lender?”
The answer is yes; if you own the vehicle and have access to it. You will need to apply for a completely online title loan with no inspection.
Title Loans that don’t Require the Vehicle Present
There are several types of online car title loans that don’t require the vehicle to be present. If you need to get a title loan without the title and the vehicle, then that will be a problem.
To get a title loan without the car and without the lender seeing it, you will need to get an online title loan that does not require an in-person vehicle inspection.
These are often referred to as completely online title loans, no inspection title loans, or an instant online title loan with direct deposit. As with any title loan we recommend preparation as a first step.
Online Title Loans without Vehicle Inspection
Some online title loans do not require a vehicle inspection and therefor don’t require the vehicle to be present. Instead of an in-person inspection, the lender requires pictures of the vehicle to perform a virtual appraisal and assess its value.
You will, however, need access to the vehicle to take these pictures. The lender will also check the vehicle history, so if you haven’t checked your vehicle’s history recently now may be a good time to do so. There are multiple free ways to check vehicle history.
Online Title Loans that don’t Require Seeing the Car
Some title loans with no store visit can and do require an inspection by a third party. These loans would require you to visit an inspector to have the vehicle appraised.
To get a title loan that does not require showing the car, you will need an online title loan with no inspection. These loans do not require seeing the car in person. They do, however, require vehicle pictures.
Title Loans without the Vehicle Present
Any of the above online title loans will allow you to get the loan without having the vehicle present. As mentioned, you will still need access to the vehicle in order to take current and accurate pictures.
The question is, why do you need a title loan without bringing in the car? There are good reasons for this requirement, and there are also some questionable reasons that we don’t necessarily recommend.
Reasons for needing a Title Loan without the Car
Now that we know it is possible to get a title loan without bringing in the car, the main question you should ask yourself is why do you need a title loan without showing the car?
| Valid | Questionable |
|---|---|
| 1. Vehicle in Storage | 1. Undisclosed Mechanical Problem |
| 2. No Nearby Lender | 2. Maskable Body Damage |
| 3. No Access on day of Loan | 3. No Access to Vehicle at all |
There are various other different reasons for wanting one of these loans that are not listed. Some are valid, some are not.
Valid Reasons:
A few valid reasons include:
- The car is in storage. This is sometimes the case with classic or collector cars.
- You do not have a nearby lender, or you found a better lender online that is not near you.
- You own the car, but do not have access to it on the day you need the loan. For example, someone else is using it that day.
As we’ve mentioned before the closest lender is not always the best. It is common to find a better title loan online from a lender that is too far to drive to. This is one of the valid reasons; not being able to drive to the lender to show the vehicle.
Questionable Reasons:
On the other hand, there are some reasons borrowers want a title loan without the car that are questionable. These can include:
- The vehicle has damage that can be masked with pictures.
- There are mechanical flaws that don’t show up in pictures.
- You own the vehicle, have pictures, but do not have access to it at all.
Keep this in mind when applying for an online title loan. If you have a valid reason for needing a loan without having to physically show the vehicle then one of these loans may work for you.
If you are simply trying to hide a flaw in the vehicle, or apply for a loan on a vehicle you do not have access to, that is probably not the best idea.
Process for Getting a Title Loan without Bringing in the Car
We always recommend preparation as the first step for any online title loan. The next step for getting a title loan without the car is to apply for one. This is usually done online and with many lenders only takes a few minutes if you have prepared properly.
The first part of the online title loan application process is very easy and requires filling out a simple form with basic information about the borrower and the vehicle.
The second part of the application requires some additional information. This is where the preparation comes into play and helps save time. Vehicle pictures will be required to replace the in person inspection.
Pictures for Online Title Loans without the Car
Providing Required Information
Once you apply online, you will usually be asked to provide additional information about the vehicle. The reason: because you are getting the online title loan without the vehicle, the lender needs to have enough information to appraise the vehicle virtually and provide an accurate value. This will inform the maximum loan amount.
The pictures and additional information allow the lender to complete what we call a “virtual” appraisal. The pictures combined with vehicle history give the lender a virtual view of the vehicle without seeing it in person.
Vehicle title loan amounts are based on the vehicle value. This is usually done by performing an appraisal. Without the vehicle, the lender is making a title loan without seeing the car.
This makes assessing the value of the vehicle a bit more difficult and requires pictures of the vehicle. This includes the exterior, interior, odometer, and VIN.
Risks and Benefits of Title Loans without the Vehicle Present
There are both benefits and risks associated with getting a title loan online without the vehicle present. One of the key risks is the lender may not be able to provide an accurate assessment of the vehicle value without seeing it in person.
Risks – Potential Costs
A risk associated with a title loan without the vehicle is the lender may charge a higher rate due to the increased risk to the lender involved with not seeing the vehicle in person.
This is why clear and accurate pictures are important with online title loans where the lender does not have a chance to see the vehicle in person.
The more detailed pictures you have, the better. If you can visit the lender or a third party appraiser, a traditional car title loan may be a better option. If not, it is worth learning how to take pictures in preparation for an online title loan.
Benefits – Title Loans Near You
One of the biggest benefits of a completely online title loan is not having to focus on finding a title loan nearest you. Historically, searching for the closest lender or a title loan near you was often a first step and sometimes the final step in the search for a lender.
Now, it can be more effective to focus on finding the best title loan without having to worry about how close the title loan place is to your location. This makes the location much less important.
How much do Title Loans without the Vehicle Present Cost?
The costs of a title loan, including those without seeing the car, are directly dependent on the lender. The lender sets the interest rate and fees, and all lenders are different.
Many states do set maximum allowable interest rates; but not minimums. This means some lenders charge less, in some cases a lot less, than other lenders in the same state.
As mentioned, a title loan without the vehicle present may increase the interest rate to account for the increased risk of not seeing the vehicle. Providing detailed and clear pictures helps mitigate this risk.
Before getting a title loan, it is worth learning how title loans work and how interest is calculated. You can also use our title loan calculator to get a full payment schedule and compare costs of different rates and terms.
Make sure to get the details on the total cost of an online title loan before signing the loan agreement.
Summary
Can you get a title loan without bringing in the car or showing it to the lender? The answer is yes if you own the vehicle, have a lien free title, and have access to the vehicle. If you do not have access to the vehicle and cannot take pictures, then getting a title loan will be very difficult if not impossible.
Getting a title loan without bringing the vehicle to the lender requires pictures to communicate the condition of the vehicle. Completely online title loans with no inspection are available, although they do require you to own and have access to the vehicle.
Additional Questions
Yes, you can get a title loan without bringing in your car assuming you own the vehicle and have access to it. You will need a completely online title loan with no inspection and will provide pictures of the vehicle.
There are title loans that don’t require bringing in the car or showing the vehicle to the lender. These require pictures of the vehicle and should be used for the right reasons.
One of the requirements for a title loan without the car is having access to the car. This is needed to take current pictures and verify the vehicle is where you say it is.
You can provide pictures of the vehicle to the online title loan company instead of physically showing the vehicle. It is recommending to properly prepare for any title loan.