Types of debt consolidation loans

Debt consolidation loans

Debt consolidation loans can be either secured or unsecured.

Secured debt consolidation loans

Since secured debt consolidation loans are generally considered lower-risk, lenders often allow borrowers to access a larger loan amount over a longer repayment period, typically with a more favorable interest rate. To qualify for a secured debt consolidation loan, however, you would need an asset to offer as collateral, such as your home. It’s essential to keep in mind that, while this type of loan can offer benefits, failing to keep up with the repayments could put your collateral at risk—meaning your home could potentially be repossessed if payments aren’t maintained.

Advantages of secured debt consolidation loans

  • Borrow more money
  • Choose a longer payment period
  • Get a better interest rate
  • Lower monthly payments
  • Accepted even with a bad credit history

Disadvantages of a secured debt consolidation loans

  • The longer your payment period the more interest you pay
  • Risk losing your home if you cannot keep up the repayments

Unsecured debt consolidation loans

In order to qualify for an unsecured debt consolidation loan, there’s no requirement to be a homeowner, as you don’t need any property to secure the loan. Because there is no collateral involved, lenders view this type of loan as higher risk, which in turn affects the loan terms offered. As a result, the amount you can typically borrow with an unsecured debt consolidation loan is lower compared to a secured loan, and the repayment period is often considerably shorter. Therefore, while it offers flexibility in terms of eligibility, an unsecured loan may come with certain limitations in borrowing capacity and repayment length.

Advantages of an unsecured debt consolidation loan

  • The shorter the payment period, the less you pay in interest
  • No risk of losing your home

Disadvantages of an unsecured debt consolidation loan

  • Amount you can borrow is lower
  • Payment period is shorter
  • Higher interest rates
  • Sometimes restricted on how you spend the money
  • Struggle to get accepted with a poor credit history

The above information is just a guide. Individual loans and the terms associated with them vary considerably from lender to lender. If you want more information on debt consolidation loans and other related topics, use some of the helpful links below.


Helpful debt consolidation loan links

Debt consolidation

Can I get a debt consolidation loan with bad credit?

Getting the best debt consolidation loan

Debt consolidation alternatives



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