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Top Mistakes To Avoid When Applying For A Personal Loan

Avoid costly errors when applying for a personal loan. Our expert guide highlights the top mistakes to steer clear of. Get informed before you apply.

16 May, 2023 15:51 IST 3194
 Top Mistakes To Avoid When Applying For A Personal Loan

Personal loan is an easy solution to most of the financial crisis such as financing a lavish wedding or a medical emergency or making any large purchase. Personal loans are collateral free and get approved easily and quickly. A good credit score is very important to get this loan at an affordable rate of interest and better terms. However, you need to be cautious not to commit mistakes while applying for a personal loan else you may get stuck in a debt trap. Understanding the potential risks and pitfalls will help you avoid the debt trap and possible financial crisis.

Some Common Mistakes Committed While Applying For A Personal Loans

Following are the common mistakes committed by the borrowers while applying for the personal loan:

• Not Checking Your Credit Score

One of the most important steps to execute before applying for a personal loan is to check your credit score. Credit score indicates your credit worthiness as well as lender uses it to determine the rate of interest. Thus, knowing your credit score is important so as to take an informed decision about your personal loans as well as to understand the terms available.

• Not Checking Your Repayment Capacity

Before applying for the loan check your repayment capacity. Decide upon the loan amount on the basis of your repayment capacity and try to keep the EMIs according to the comfort of your pocket.

• Making Too Many Hard Enquiries

When you reach out to a lender to avail a loan, the lender makes an enquiry for your credit history which is logged into your credit report. Such enquiries are called hard enquiries. Too many hard enquiries in short span of time affects your credit score negatively.

• Not Evaluating Different Offers From Different Banks

Sometimes in haste to get the cash for the emergency, borrower foregoes to compare the various rates of interest and terms available by different banks. It is recommended that you compare the loan offers of different banks online as a soft enquiry thus avoiding making a hard enquiry. By not looking around for all the options available may make you miss out on a better deal on the personal loan.

• Not Disclosing Existing Loan Details

Since the loan amount majorly depends on your other existing loans, it is important to disclose them to the lender before getting a new personal loan approved. Hiding these details may result in getting your loan application rejected or getting the loan approved at a higher rate of interest.
Zaroorat aapki. Personal Loan Humara
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• Not Skimming Through The Fine Print

It is important to read through the fine print thoroughly. Fine print includes applicable charges, other terms and conditions of the loan and interest rates. It is essential to understand all the clauses to avoid any surprise and unnecessary charges later.

• Opting For A Longer Tenure

Opting for a longer tenure even when the rate of interest is lower will make you pay a higher amount as interest at the end of the tenure. You should select the shortest tenure to repay the loan.

• Borrowing More Than You Need

Borrowers tend to borrow the loan of amount higher than they actually need just because it was available to them. This is a mistake since the higher the amount you take as loan; the higher will be the rate of interest as well as the EMI. A higher EMI may strain your monthly finances.

• Taking A Loan Without Any Purpose

Sometimes, people take a personal loan even when they can handle the particular financial need without a loan like going on a vacation or throwing a party. It is advisable to take a loan only in case of a real financial crisis.

• Not Checking The Eligibility Criteria

Different lenders have different eligibility criteria like income, credit score, residential area, age employment etc. You should check the eligibility criteria before applying for a loan with a lender. You will get an opportunity to improve your eligibility and reduce the chances of rejection.

• Miscalculating Fees and Other Charges

You should be aware of the additional charges like origination charges, processing fees, late fees in case of delayed EMI or prepayment penalty that might increase your total repayment amount.

• Falling Behind Your Repayment Schedule

Not being able to pay a month’s repayment amount can cost you a hefty late fee and a decline in your credit score. A late repayment of more than 30 days gets reflected in your credit report further damaging your credit history.

Conclusion

It is important to manage your loans. Check your eligibility criteria, repayment capacity, additional charges and fees on the loan, terms and conditions offered by other banks to avoid any surprises after the disbursement of the loan. In situations where your credit score is being affected in a negative manner, you may take necessary steps to improve the credit score.

After deciding to go for a personal loan, it is ideal to compare lending terms of different lenders for better rates and terms. IIFL Finance offers personal loans that act as safety nets and helps you to focus on your financial needs. IIFL Finance personal loans come at affordable rates and flexible terms designed to meet all your needs. However, remember to make timely payments to improve creditworthiness and be eligible for better rates and terms on future loans.

Zaroorat aapki. Personal Loan Humara
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. IIFL Finance Limited (including its associates and affiliates) ("the Company") assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in the contents of this post and under no circumstances shall the Company be liable for any damage, loss, injury or disappointment etc. suffered by any reader. All information in this post is provided "as is", with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results etc. obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Given the changing nature of laws, rules and regulations, there may be delays, omissions or inaccuracies in the information contained in this post. The information on this post is provided with the understanding that the Company is not herein engaged in rendering legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice and services. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or other competent advisers. This post may contain views and opinions which are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency or organization. This post may also contain links to external websites that are not provided or maintained by or in any way affiliated with the Company and the Company does not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any information on these external websites. Any/ all (Gold/ Personal/ Business) loan product specifications and information that maybe stated in this post are subject to change from time to time, readers are advised to reach out to the Company for current specifications of the said (Gold/ Personal/ Business) loan.

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