When it comes to getting rid of existing debts, nothing works as well as a debt consolidation loan. However, even amongst the range of loans in the market, the unsecured type seems to work the best in salvaging a poor credit history.



What it is

An unsecured debt consolidation loan is essentially one which does not necessitate the need for any collateral. This is unlike a secured loan which requires you to show some form of collateral like the house or some such asset. This can prove to be a great relief for someone who is desperately trying to get out of debt and happens to have a poor credit history. However, while this can be a boon, it also comes along with certain drawbacks.

Higher risk

The very fact that you don't need to present any upfront collateral in an unsecured debt consolidation loan makes lending institutions perceive it as a high risk venture. Hence the resulting interest rate on the loan is definitely much higher than what you would ideally pay on a secured loan type. However, as a borrower, it is up to you to negotiate and bargain to try and extract the best possible interest rate out of the unsecured loan.

Consolidating multiple payments

If you are currently steeped in debt, then chances are that you must be paying high amounts on multiple liabilities. Outstanding balances on credit cards as well as existing loans etc. can eat into your finances. Hence in such cases, an unsecured debt consolidation loan offers you a way of consolidating all these multiple payments into a single payment. This saves you the hassle of remembering due dates for multiple bills and allows you to remember details of just one single payment each month. Plus usually since interest rates are much lesser than regular liabilities, you save much more.

Multiple interest rates

One other drawback with having to pay multiple payments is that you also need to keep track of different interest rates. While your credit card outstanding balances might have a certain interest rate on them, the loans may have another interest rate. Keeping track of all these varying rates can be a real hassle. That is why an unsecured debt consolidation loan can work to your advantage. You just need to make one payment each month with a single interest rate, which is much easier to monitor. This also saves you unnecessary worry.

Scope to improve credit rating

A debt consolidation scheme allows a person in debt to improve his existing credit history. By rectifying past patterns of missed or delayed payments, a borrower can improve on the score. If existing liabilities have a history of delayed and late payments, then by consolidating your liabilities, you are able to keep better track of finances. Plus you also get to reduce the tenure of repayment by paying off the amount each month promptly. By improving your credit score, you stand much better chances at getting other credit offers. You may want to opt for a home loan or some other credit to pay off a much needed education etc.