Vehicle Repossession Prevention

Repossessing a vehicle is an expensive and unpleasant process for vehicle finance companies and borrowers alike. On average, vehicle finance companies lose in excess of $8,000 on each vehicle they repossess. For this reason, many of them are taking actions to help identify borrowers in need and prevent repossessions. What follows is a summary of practices that vehicle finance companies are using to help troubled borrowers hold onto their cars. These practices include increasing educational tools, dedicating more staff to working on the solution, reaching out early to borrowers who may be in trouble and working with struggling borrowers on an individual basis.

Increasing Educational Tools

Many vehicle finance companies offer a wealth of educational materials for consumers on what they need to know to purchase or lease a vehicle, as well as the basics of credit and debt management. The majority of their information focuses on educating consumers before they buy or lease a vehicle so they know how much they can realistically afford to pay each month. Financial calculators on vehicle finance companies’ websites, for example, allow consumers to figure out a sensible monthly payment for their own situation based on their income and expenses. Tutorials and glossaries are other educational tools available to consumers. Some company’s Web sites offer information on how borrowers and creditors can work together through difficult times.

AWARE provides a number of educational tools to help consumers before, during, and after the vehicle purchasing/leasing process. The Web site contains resources such as recommended steps in the buying and leasing processes, definitions and quizzes, with the information presented in both in-depth and quick-reference formats. In recognition of the hardships facing many consumers, AWARE has put together tips for consumers on what to do if they are falling behind on car payments. Among the tips are to recognize the warning signs, seek help and become an educated consumer. This resource continues to be the first source returned on a Google search for “falling behind on auto payments.”

Another comprehensive resource put together by the industry for consumers is the free brochure, “Understanding Vehicle Financing,” produced by the American Financial Services Association Education Foundation (AFSAEF) and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) in cooperation with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The brochure provides information to help consumers learn about dealership financing and evaluate their own financial situations before financing a new or used vehicle. Available in both English and Spanish, the brochure defines common financing terms and walks consumers through calculating a monthly spending plan. The free brochure outlines what consumers should do before visiting the dealership, when visiting the dealership, after completing the vehicle purchase or lease, and in case of financial difficulty. Since 2003, more than 300,000 hard copies of the brochure have been distributed by the AFSA Education Foundation as well as by the Federal Citizens Information Center of the U.S. General Services Administration. The brochure is available online at www.afsaef.org and through many of AFSA members' websites.

Dedicating More Staff to Working on the Solution

Financial institutions are dedicating higher-level employees to communicate with customers or expanding the training customer service employees undergo. Supervisors are aiding in the counseling process at a growing rate, and customer service representatives are receiving more training to listen for triggers that indicate a customer may be struggling and to offer solutions instead of demands. Vehicle financing companies are adding staff as necessary and allocating personnel resources to help assist customers who may be facing repossessions.

Vehicle financing companies are communicating regularly with dealers, who interact face-toface with the public and can identify struggling consumers early, as well as provide them with counseling options.

Identifying Borrowers Who May Be in Trouble and Reaching Out to Them Early

Reaching struggling borrowers early is the key to helping them. Vehicle finance companies utilize resources such as credit scores to help them identify which of their customers may be in trouble already or in the near future. These early warning systems are intended to help the companies contact borrowers before they miss a payment. Among the factors considered are changes to an individual’s economic situation. In today’s environment, vehicle financing companies are paying more attention to their customers’ potential difficulties. Customers’ accounts are monitored and immediate action is taken when anything appears to be amiss. Financial institutions continuously categorize the risk profiles of borrowers based on borrower characteristics, loan types and possible delinquencies to help them decide who to contact early.

To help customers keep their vehicles, some vehicle finance companies are reaching out to and engaging customers by phone and by mail as soon as they are one day in default. By communicating with their customers early, vehicle finance companies try to help them reach a workable arrangement sooner and avoid any miscommunications.

Working with Struggling Borrowers on an Individual Basis

Vehicle finance companies work hard to keep customers in their vehicles. When customers have difficulty meeting their obligations, the financial institution works with individuals on a case-bycase basis to find a way to avoid repossession. Vehicle finance companies want to find the solution that works best for each individual borrower rather than trying to fit each unique case into a prescribed model that will not meet the needs of every customer.

Every individual’s situation, credit history, account history and needs vary. Recognizing the differences of every customer, vehicle finance companies work with their customers on a oneon-one basis. Modifying loan terms for customers is a fluid process that differs based on a number of factors, such as what stage the loan is in, the customer’s payment history, terms of the contract, etc. Refinancing a loan is almost always an option for borrowers. While modifying loan terms are not typically the first option, terms may be extended for eligible customers, deferments may be arranged, late charges may be waived, missed payments may be added to the end of the loan, due dates may be changed or other options explored. Increasingly, banks are authorizing more payment extensions to their give their customers a break.

However, all finance companies stress that the earlier a customer contacts his or her creditor when struggling with payments, the better off the individual will be. Early contact by the customer works in his or her favor by demonstrating an attempt to meet financial obligations and a desire to work with the finance company. Typically, vehicle finance companies will be more flexible with customers who keep them apprised of their situation. If struggling borrowers make regular contact with their financial institution and actively take steps towards bringing their account current, they should have little trouble avoiding repossession.

Sometimes, customers who are having trouble paying their bills are embarrassed about contacting their financial institution, but unpaid bills and unreturned phone calls can make matters worse. Without customer contact, vehicle finance companies do not know whether a borrower is struggling or engaged in fraud.

Vehicle finance companies will only seek repossession when all other collection efforts have been exhausted; if and when the decision is made to repossess, it is based on more than the number of days a customer is delinquent on his or her payment. If a borrower misses three payments and has not communicated at all with the creditor, the finance company has no choice but to begin the repossession process. As a general rule, though, vehicle finance companies are repossessing in a later state of delinquency after giving customers more time to reach a workable payment arrangement. Financial institutions remain sympathetic with each customer’s situation. For instance, if a customer cannot meet his or her financial obligations even with modified terms, the vehicle finance company will not drag out the repossession process and prolong the borrower’s problem.

Struggling borrowers may be tempted to return the vehicle and the keys to the dealership, but that does not solve their problem. The consumer still owes any outstanding balance after the vehicle is sold, and any delinquency is still reported to the credit bureaus.

Vehicle financing companies do their best to help struggling borrowers hold onto their cars, and are especially accommodating to victims of natural disasters, which are unpredictable and beyond anyone’s control. Customers who are impacted by a natural disaster can work out special arrangements with their financial institution on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, financial institutions offer payment deferrals to all customers in disaster areas. Typically, vehicle finance companies adhere to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards in determining how to assist borrowers who have been affected by a natural disaster.

Unfortunately, repossessions do occur, but as a last resort. Vehicle finance companies are attempting to help borrowers hold onto their cars, but they cannot do it alone. Borrowers need to cooperate with their finance companies so an agreeable solution other than repossession can be found.

In some cases, repossession is not final and borrowers may receive a second chance. Most financial institutions will continue attempting to contact customers after repossession, but before the vehicle has been remarketed. During this period, the company may allow customers to make payments to get their vehicle back before it is sent to auction.

Conclusion

The steps vehicle finance companies are taking to prevent repossessions are intended to create a win-win situation for the industry and borrowers. Vehicle finance companies are taking action early by initiating contact with at-risk consumers as soon as one day after a loan is past due, dedicating more staff to helping borrowers, and continuing to develop educational tools. By working with customers on an individual basis, vehicle finance companies aim to give all struggling borrowers an opportunity to avoid repossession.