Guides
Twelve Questions to Ask a Title Lender Before You Sign Anything
May 24, 2026 · 7 min read
Print this list. Any lender who cannot answer all twelve clearly and in writing is not the right lender.
Q.Cost questions
What is the total dollar amount I repay if I pay off on my target date? What is the monthly finance charge and the disclosed APR? What fees are charged at origination, and are they deducted from funding or added to the balance? Is there any prepayment penalty?
Q.Structure questions
Is this an amortizing installment loan or a balloon term with renewals? What is the exact payment amount and due date? What is the payoff figure at thirty, sixty, ninety, and one hundred eighty days?
Q.Vehicle questions
Will a GPS unit or starter interrupt device be installed, who pays for it, and is it removed at payoff? Do you require a spare key? Are there restrictions on driving the vehicle out of state?
Q.Default questions
How many days past due before default? Do I have a cure period, and how long? If the vehicle is sold, can you pursue me for a deficiency balance, and do I receive any surplus?
Q.Legitimacy questions
What is your state license number, and which agency regulates you? Where do I file a complaint? Will you provide the complete agreement in writing to review before I sign?
Q.How to use the answers
Ask all twelve of every lender you talk to, and record the answers in the same format. The comparison becomes obvious almost immediately, and lenders who will not answer in writing eliminate themselves.
Copy these into your notes app. A lender who answers all twelve without hesitating is a lender worth borrowing from.