Key Takeaways
- Choose a comfortable loan repayment schedule and EMI amount that can be committed to despite unforeseen circ*mstances
- Talk to your lender about an EMI free period, lowering the EMI, or refinancing when a default is foreseen
- CIBIL score and credit worthiness are adversely impacted when EMI payment is missed
When the pandemic hit India, there was an economic meltdown. With people losing jobs and their means of livelihood, EMI payment default was at an all-time high. During the pandemic, a moratorium period was offered and more than half the retail borrowers had opted for this. This is a testament to the fact that while people may have a well-thought-out financial plan, certain uncertainties like a loss of a job or a health issue can throw them off track.
While a global crisis offered some respite in terms of loan repayment, such kind of deferral may not always be available. People are bound to suffer consequences if they are unable to repay their borrowed amount on time.
As lenders, we at Bajaj Finserv advise our borrowers to choose a comfortable repayment tenure and follow the EMI payment rules because, missing one or two instalments may not seem like a deal, it will have an adverse impact.
One solution that offers a comfortable repayment tenure is the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card. Shopping using the Insta EMI Card allows you to convert your purchases into easy No Cost EMIs, that you can repay over a period of 1 to 60 months.
What happens if EMI is not paid on time
Paying your EMIs on time is a very crucial process of availing the pay later scheme. If there is any delay in your EMI payments, it will have the following repercussions.
Decrease in the CIBIL Score
The most obvious impact is a decrease in the borrower’s credit score. Missing even one instalment can lead to a drop in the score by 50 to 70 points. Most lenders look for a high credit score of around 750, so getting a loan in the future will be difficult.
Questionable creditworthiness
A person’s credit score reflects their repayment history and a repayment default will reflect in the borrower’s credit report. This makes it difficult to borrow in the future and questions the person’s integrity and creditworthiness. They become risky borrowers for lenders and are considered to have high chances of defaulting on the loan repayment terms.
Penalties are levied
Multiple financial institutions charge a penalty for individuals who have missed their EMI payments. This can be in the form of late fees or a higher interest rate for the EMI. This amount is about 1% -2% of the EMI.
Property might be seized
If you took a loan against property and default on payments despite regular warnings, your property against which the loan was taken can be seized by the lender.
How can one avoid the default consequences?
Ideally, loan defaults should not be encountered at all. However, in the case of an unavoidable circ*mstance, a few steps can be taken.
1. Talk to the lender
When a borrower foresees a situation where they will miss an EMI payment, it is wise to discuss options with their lender and request a lower EMI. Lenders can lower EMIs by either extending the current loan tenure or increasing the rate of interest. Alternatively, they convert an unsecured loan to a secured loan.
2. Refinancing
Taking a top-up loan may be a good idea, but this is only possible if the credit score is high.
3. Better financial planning
To prevent a loan default, plan finances more efficiently. Don’t go for a higher loan amount, higher repayment amount, or a shorter tenor that can be comfortably managed.
4. Part payments with additional income
When there is a surplus of funds like a bonus, opt for foreclosure or part prepayment to reduce the financial burden. Try and find another source of income or cut back on expenses.
5. Request the lender for an EMI-free period
In exceptional cases such as a halt in business or loss of job, a lender can consider an EMI-free period. The borrower gets a three to six-month waiver on EMI payments, post which the schedule must be followed again.
Benefits of timely EMI payments
Conclusion
Bajaj finance EMI payment rules are suggestive of the fact that one must not be short-sighted while taking a loan. The monthly repayment amount, the tenor, the repayment continuity despite a temporary halt in cash-flow must all be factored in while taking a loan. The convenience and accessibility of personal loans must not be misused. While taking a loan is encouraged and has many pros, it is also wise to plan efficiently and thoroughly in order to prevent any default in repayment. It’s best to read up the latest posts by RBI which are around convenience of digital transactions, security of digital transactions and protection of customers, as per its 2022 Financial Literacy Week theme ‘Go Digital, Go Secure’ for more information.
