Just as its name suggests, unsecured debt is debt that is not secured with collateral backing. In default cases, the lender can only recover their money by initiating lawsuits. Credit cards are a commonly used type of unsecured debt. On the other hand, secured debts are those in which the borrower puts up some assets as collateral or surety for the loan. If they default, the lender can legally collect the collateral used for financing. A good example of secured debt includes mortgage or car loans.

Secured vs. Unsecured Debt

Both secured debt and unsecured debt come with their own advantages and disadvantages. For unsecured debt, the lender focuses solely on the borrower’s creditworthiness; with secured debt, the lender considers the value of the collateral in question. In most cases, there are fewer default cases involving secured debts as the lender has more to lose. Therefore, it’s imperative to understand what’s at stake before securing either of these types of loans. 

For a deeper understanding, here’s an examination of some of the pros and cons of secured and unsecured loans.

Pros and Cons of Secured Loans

· Pro: Low interest – In secured loans, the risk of the lender losing money is minimal since the borrower has more to lose in case of default. If the lender does default, they can get their money back by repossessing and selling the collateral in question. While that doesn’t sound much like a benefit, it does give the borrower an advantage by helping to lower interest rates. 

· Pro: Easier approval – Lenders obviously prefer to offer loans with minimal risks. That’s why a secured debt is more easily approved as compared to an unsecured debt.

· Pro: Lower monthly repayment rates – Your monthly repayments rates can be lowered by spreading them over a long period of time.

· Con: High risk to borrower – A borrower must secure the loan with a surety higher than or equal to the debt in question. Therefore, they stand to lose a lot if things go sideways.

· Con: Long repayment periods mean higher interest – When a borrower decides to spread the repayment period over a long duration of time, they end up paying more on interest in the long run.

Pros and Cons of Unsecured Loans

· Pro: Low risk to borrower – Since there is no collateral involved, the borrowing risk is minimal.

· Con: Risky to the lender – Conversely, since no collateral is used to back the loan, the likelihood of lenders defaulting is very high.

· Con: High interest rates – Due to the risky nature of these loans, the lenders tend to impose higher interest rates.

Are you looking for help negotiating with a creditor or looking to get better terms with lower interest rates on your secure or unsecure debt? If so, the pros at Progressive Debt Relief can help. 

Secured and Unsecured Debt Relief Professionals 

At Progressive Debt Relief, we act as the liaison between the lender and the borrower, helping you settle your debt quickly, at lower interest rates, and without facing litigation. We will always work hard to negotiate your loan settlement in your best interests. For more information regarding our services or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today.