Sometimes you just need emergency loans to cover a big expense.
Maybe you don’t have an emergency fund because you had to use it already. That doesn’t mean that you won’t get hit with another surprise big expense.
Unfortunately, life isn’t always easy and it’s difficult to predict what’s going to happen to us down the road. Most of us have a basic idea of where we’ll be in the years to come, but the fact is, anything can happen. Some expenses are just too large to justify draining all of your savings. So, in the event that an emergency does arise, it’s always good to know what financial options are available to help you out.
If you’ve just experienced an emergency and need a bit of quick cash, a short-term installment loan might be a good option.
What Are Short-Term Emergency Loans?
Generally speaking, a “short-term” loan refers to the process of borrowing a moderate amount of money with the intent of paying it back within a relatively short period of time. It usually means within 6 months to three years.
Loans are granted by various types of creditors, such as banks, credit unions and subprime lenders (for those who don’t qualify at a bank). There are a variety of general loans that come in all shapes and sizes. Short-term loans, however, are usually for $5,000 or under.
Can You Use Short-Term Emergency Loans To Tackle Any Expenses?
Yes, you can use a short-term loan to cover whatever expenses you’d like. In fact, you can use emergency loans for almost any type of emergency, such as:
Repairs on your home (leaky roof, damaged appliances, etc.)
To finance a new vehicle when yours breaks down.
Repairs on your current vehicle (accidents, mechanical procedures, etc.)
Medical bills (prescription medication, dental costs, etc.)
Groceries and other household supplies
To finance your or someone else’s education (tuition, school supplies, etc.)
Spring Financial is an online consumer lending company that offers innovative financial and credit-building solutions designed to give Canadians the opportunity to build credit, save money and borrow responsibly.With many Canadians struggling with high-interest debt and limited financing options, Spring Financial strives to provide Canadians with affordable and accessible financial products that can help them achieve greater financial freedom. Among their growing suite of smart money solutions, Spring Financial offers $1,500 cash advances, personal loans up to $35,000, and a credit-building program that helps you build credit and save money.
Available in seven provinces, iCash is an online source of fast, small loans that can be used for any emergency. Approved applications are processed within the same day and no documentation is required before the transfer of your funds. You can borrow up to $1,500 with iCash. Every time you pay the loan back following the agreed-upon deadline, you become a more reputable borrower. The increased trust allows you to borrow more each time. iCash uses a Trust Rating System, an algorithmic function that determines your merit as a borrower.
If you’re looking for an open-ended line of credit with credit limits up to $15,000, Fora is the best choice. Fora’s line of credit lets you withdraw funds from your available credit, and repay and redraw as needed. This makes it an excellent option for those seeking flexibility and quick access to cash as needed.Moreover, interest rates start as low as 19.9% and are only charged on the amount you withdraw.
The MogoMini line of credit offers Canadian consumers a great personal loan alternative. Borrowers can access up to $5,000, spend what they need when they need it, make the automatic minimum payments, and finally control their own principal payments. This Mogo product is flexible and users can test drive their line of credit for 100 days to see if it’s the right fit. Access their easy online application via your MogoMoney dashboard and get pre-approved in 3 minutes with no impact on your credit.
easyfinancial offers a variety of loan products, including secured and unsecured personal loans. easyfinancial offers unsecured personal loans from $500 to $20,000 and secured loans between $15,000 to $150,000. Qualifying with easyfinancial is relatively easy compared to many banks and credit unions in the country. Moreover, online applications only take a few minutes to fill out and are normally accepted 24/7.
Fairstone is a great choice for consumers looking for loans with affordable payments that meet their needs and budget. As Canada’s leading non-bank lender of personal loans, consumers can get unsecured loans up to $25,000. Homeowners can choose a secured loan (backed by the value of their house) to borrow more money and access lower payments compared to an unsecured loan. Whether you’re looking to consolidate debt into one simple monthly payment, cover unexpected expenses or something else altogether, Fairstone is a great option.
Money Mart is a Canadian financial services provider that specializes in offering short-term financial products, including payday loans, cheque cashing, wire transfers, and installment loans. They're available both in person and online, providing borrowers with different options to apply for loans and access their borrowed funds. Their Payday Boost products are available for up to $1,500, and installment loans are available for up to $25,000. They're known for their easy-to-use services and same-day cash options, making Money Mart a great option for those who have little time to wait for much-needed funding.
Cash Money has been helping Canadians access easy and quick loans for more than 30 years. They offer payday loans, personal loans, and line of credit loans from $1,500 to $10,000. User will enjoy their simple online application, personalized options, and same-day funding. Whether you need to cover an emergency expense or simply need to make it to your next payday, Cash Money can a variety of options to meet your needs.
If you’re short on cash, Bree offers cash advances of up to $500 with zero interest. Bree is an online financial platform that provides interest-free cash advances to help consumers avoid overdrafts and NSF fees. Their mission is to be a dependable and accessible financial source that consumers can trust when they need financial support. Moreover, you can access the money you need with Bree without having to worry about credit checks, interest charges or late fees.
Nyble helps users quickly access a line of credit of up to $250 without credit score requirements. This is a good option for anyone who wants to avoid overdrafts or needs a small amount of cash quickly. Approval is instant and funding takes up to 3 days. But if you upgrade to a paid membership for $11.99 a month, you can receive your money within 30 minutes. Nyble reports your payment history to the credit bureau monthly and approves you for large amounts as you build trust with the platform. You can also track your credit score, earn reward points for improving your score, and access other features such as credit monitoring and digital identity theft protection.
LoanMeNow offers Canadian consumers quick access to the cash they need. They offer loans up to $1,000 with no credit check required. Funds are deposited directly into your bank account within as little as 24 hours. A short-term loan from LoansMeNow can help you cover the cost of an unexpected expense or tide you over until your next paycheque. Whatever your financial needs are, LoanMeNow’s quick approval time means you’ll be able to get back on track as soon as possible.
GoPeer is a peer-to-peer lending platform that connects borrowers with individual investors who fund loans. Through GoPeer, you can get a personal loan for up to $35,000, with flexible repayment terms and competitive interest rates. Interest rates start at 8.99%, depending on your credit profile. GoPeer's unique peer-to-peer model allows consumers to benefit from a more personalized borrowing approach. The online application process is quick and easy, and funds can be deposited into your account in as little as 7 days.
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Types Of Short-Term Loan
There are a few short-term loan variations to consider before applying:
Personal Loans
You can pay back personal loans over short or long-terms depending on the term you choose at the start. These terms usually range between 6 months to 5 years.
Your lender will charge you interest on the loan. You pay back the principal and interest in regular installments until the full amount owed is repaid. Interest rates range anywhere from 15% and 45%, on average, depending on your credit score.
Emergency personal loans can be great since they have fast funding. Many online lenders offer funding within 24 to 48 hours after approval.
Payday Loans
Payday loans typically have very short terms.
These loans must be repaid in full, plus interest, in one lump sum by the time your next paycheque arrives. Repayment terms can be as short as a week or two and as long as 62 days.
These short-term loans are available for smaller amounts, usually no more than $1,500. They’re very easy to qualify for, even if you have bad credit. You can also get access to the borrowed funds within a day, making it great for emergencies.
Payday loans are meant to be used as a last resort, as they’re extremely expensive. Interest rates can be as high as 500% or more, which is why they can be difficult to repay within such a short period of time.
Cash Advance Loans
If you have a credit card, you can access funds against your credit if you haven’t yet reached your credit limit. This is the fastest way to get your hands on borrowed funds since there’s no need to apply for a loan.
The credit is already available to you, as long as you have room on your card. All you need to do is use the card at an ATM and withdraw the cash.
Interest rates on cash advances are often higher than the purchase rate with your card, and can be as high as 23.99%. Interest will start to accrue on the borrowed money as soon as you withdraw it.
Can You Get A Secured Short-Term Loan?
The vast majority of short-term loans are going to be what’s known as “unsecured” debt, meaning the borrower hasn’t offered any collateral or doesn’t need any to be approved. However, depending on the lender, you may be able to offer collateral to secure the loan and increase your chances of getting a lower interest rate.
What Can You Use As Collateral?
Collateral refers to a borrower’s assets; pieces of property such as a home or a car, which can be offered up to secure a loan. If a borrower does have collateral, not only will their chances of approval increase, but the lender might give them a larger amount of money and maybe even a lower interest rate.
Risks Of Secured Short-Term Loans
It’s extremely important to understand the consequences of defaulting when collateral is involved. If the loan is secured by your assets and you default on your loan, your lender will have the right to seize your collateral to cover the remainder of your debt.
How To Get A Short-Term Loan In An Emergency?
To get a short-term loan quickly to cover an urgent expense, follow these steps:
1. Collect All Required Documents
Lenders require certain types of documents to assess your financial strength and creditworthiness before deciding whether or not to approve your loan application. These may include an employment letter, pay stubs, tax receipts, and bank statements. You’ll also have to show a government-issued ID to help the lender verify your identity.
To speed up the application process, make sure you have all these required documents ready for submission.
2. Get Prequalified
Prequalifying for a short-term loan will help you understand what types of loans you can qualify for without having to undergo a hard credit check. If you prequalify with multiple lenders, you can compare offers and choose the best option for you.
Do note, prequalifying doesn’t mean loan approval is guaranteed, but it can help you do some comparison shopping without negatively impacting your credit score.
3. Apply
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can apply for your short-term loan. Depending on the lender, you may be able to apply online from wherever you are. This is the most convenient way to apply for a short-term loan and usually results in much faster approval decisions.
If approved, you may receive your funds within a day or two, and often on the same day, depending on what time you applied.
Borrow Up To $50,000
What Will Short-Term Lenders Look For?
So, as we mentioned, every lender’s application and approval procedure will be different in some way. Nonetheless, some general factors that apply to most include:
Credit Score – Higher credit scores indicate that the likelihood of you keeping up with your payments is high and that you’ll pay your loan back in full by the designated date.
Income Level – Most lenders have a minimum income requirement of $1,200 to $1,500.
Employment History – Not only will the lender check your income level but your employment stability. Generally, lenders like to see that you’ve been employed for at least 3 to 6 months.
Debt Level – Your debt obligations can also affect your loan approval. High debt means you’ll have less income left over to handle a new loan. So you’ll want to ensure your current debt is low. income, employment history, etc.
Emergency Loans Are Sometimes Necessary Even When You Are Good With Money
It’s clear that short-term loans are useful for emergency situations or for any other time when you need a bit of extra funding for something that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford otherwise. As long as you’re being responsible and making your payments on time, you can definitely use a short-term loan to get where you need to go.
Short-Term Loan FAQs
What interest rates do short-term loans have?
Interest rates on short-term personal loans are significantly lower than that of a payday loan. While payday loans have an APR of 300% to 600%, short-term personal loans typically come with interest rates between 3% to 46%. The interest rate you’re charged on a short-term personal loan will vary according to your financial health, credit score and loan terms.
Can I use a short-term loan for emergencies?
Yes, short-term loans are versatile forms of credit that can be used for any purpose, including emergencies. Most short-term lenders offer small amounts, usually no more than $5,000, for short-term personal loans. Moreover, these short-term loans are usually paid back within a relatively short timeframe (6 months to 3 years).
Should I get a payday loan?
Payday loans are a frequent source for small short-term loans, usually for amounts of $100 to $1,500. They’re appealing because they require no credit check and many have same-day approval. All you need to get approved is a source of employment and an active bank account. While payday loans are easy to access, they come with extremely high-interest rates, sometimes as much as 600% APR. That means a borrower could end up paying hundreds of dollars more for what was initially a very small amount of cash, especially if they don’t manage to pay it back by its original due date. All this is to say that if you need a small short-term loan, be extremely careful who you’re getting it from.
What happens if I can’t repay my short-term loan?
Different lenders have different consequences when their clients default. If you miss a payment, depending on how much you owe in the first place, your lender might start by charging you a penalty fee and tacking on additional interest. After a certain amount of time of continued missed payments, your lender may turn your account over to a collections agency, who will pursue your debt in place of your lender. If the amount you owe is large enough, this can even result in a legal case, wherein a federal judge might order wage garnishment.
®Fairstone Financial Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fairstone Bank of Canada.
*Interest rates are subject to change. Actual Annual Percentage Rate (APR) varies based on the province of residence and individual factors like credit details and loan amount. The interest rate on an unsecured personal loan is 31.99% in BC.
†On approved credit. Terms and conditions apply. Interest rates vary by province/territory and from customer to customer based on factors like credit score and borrowing history. See Fairstone’s website for details.
Fairstone Financial Inc. holds high-cost credit licenses in AB, MB (License #85047, expiring 20-02-2026) and QC; it has applied for a high-cost credit grantor license in NL. For license information by province, visit Fairstone.ca/HCCG
In Ontario, Fairstone Financial Inc. is licensed as mortgage brokerage 10821.
In Nova Scotia, Fairstone Financial Inc. is licensed as mortgage lender #2021-3000028.
Lisa has been working as a personal finance writer for more than a decade, creating unique content that helps to educate Canadian consumers in the realms of real estate, mortgages, investing and financial health. For years, she held her real estate license in Toronto, Ontario before giving it up to pursue writing within this realm and related niches. Lisa is very serious about smart money management and helping others do the same.
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