Billions of dollars are borrowed in Australia yearly. With the amount of money that circulates in terms of borrowed dollars, the significance of taking on debt is often diminished. However, the everyday effects of taking on debt can be seen everywhere from the average consumer paying on a home or car to big businesses investing in major projects that make a positive impact on the world.
All at once, it seems the loan process became accessible and consumers all over the world could with the tap of their keyboard obtain thousands of dollars. However, the dangers of rising to the call of action to apply for a Latitude loan now or some of the other calls to action should be tempered with giving consumers knowledge related to understanding debt. While having the freedom to accomplish financial goals is great, understanding the terms of the agreement is important.
Read more to learn more about why understanding the fine print is an important part of taking out a loan.
Contents
Legal Ramifications
The legal ramifications behind loan agreements are a few reasons that those looking to borrow money should understand the terms. A loan agreement is a legally binding contract that when contested can be used as evidence in court. Not that financing companies are going to take the time to take you to court, but the chances are that you can find yourself receiving a barrage of collection calls that can be equally annoying. At a minimum, if the debt is unpaid, you can find yourself facing a derogatory remark on your credit report, and at worst, you will find it difficult to finance anything for at least seven years. Ultimately, though, understanding the loan terms can prevent any misunderstandings that might come up in the future.
The Fine Print
Understanding a loan agreement is very important simply because the fine print can mean the difference between an uncomplicated loan term and a very messy one. When looking at the fine print, consumers should pay attention to any fees, penalties, or extra charges that can be assessed based on late payments, early termination, and other behaviours that drive up the cost of the total loan. At the same token, the fine print also alerts consumers to instances when the debt might be forgiven, for example, weather-related disasters are common reasons for debt relief.
Consequences
The consequences of not knowing the terms of the contract are too expensive. For one, the loan terms often explain when fees are assessed and under what terms the interest rate increases. The consequences to not reading the fine print include damaging your credit report and making it difficult for you to borrow in the future because the terms are such that it makes it impossible for you to repay the loan because you initially ignored the information that would explain the stipulations of the loan. Finally, if any part of the contract is breached on your part, you can face the financing institution calling in the loan. With a credit card or a small personal loan this might not matter, but with a car or a home, this could prove disastrous.
Unscrupulous Lenders
Finally, the reading the terms and conditions of the loan prevents you from being taken advantage by unscrupulous lenders. You should be aware of any terms that require you to pay above and beyond any interest and fees that are normal. The only way to be aware of this is if you read the terms before signing the contract.
Understanding To Avoid Miscommunication
Terms and conditions of the contract are just one part of understanding the entire loan agreement. Understanding the whole agreement can prevent the hassles that are commonly associated with borrowing. Looking at it this way, you have come this far in finding a loan. Go ahead and read the terms and condition, as you might learn something.
