In fact, according to a survey conducted by AAA, 64 million Americans were forced to borrow money to pay for an unexpected car repair. Because of this, a lot of professionals recommend you have an emergency fund that you can tap into to pay for these pairs. However, not everyone has adhered to that advice. In this situation, what are you to do?
Comparison Shop
As you would with other things, you should be doing comparison shopping when looking to pay for a repair. You want to ensure that you are vetting different mechanics and getting quotes from several of them. This way, you will be able to see which one is willing and able to do the job for the most competitive price point.
Some may be charging on an hourly basis and some may be giving you a full quote. Try to do the legwork to do the comparison shopping you need to get the best rate.
Ask A Friend
Believe it or not, but you may have someone that you already know and trust who is capable of handling the repair for you. Do you have a friend or family member who is a mechanic? Even if they aren’t, they may have the experience and the knowledge to handle the repair for you.
This will allow you to minimize the cost associated with the repair. Perhaps you could offer them something of value in return for their work? Or perhaps you could offer to pay them in instalments for it. Regardless, it could be a good way to cut costs if you don’t have enough for a mechanic.
Borrow Money
If you are a trustworthy person, your friend or family member may allow you to borrow money. If so, you will be able to get the money you need to make the necessary repairs. You want to ensure they understand you will be paying them back promptly.
Ideally, you want to ensure that you put it in writing so they are protected. Also, come up with a payment plan that works for your financial situation to ensure the arrangement works for both of you.
Payday Loans
Payday loans are a good way to take out short term loans for those with nowhere to turn. While payday loans are certainly going to be more costly than some of the other options on this list, they will be an easy way to get the funds you need to handle a repair. You need to be certain you have enough money in your bank to pay off the loan when it comes due.
Conclusion
These kinds of repairs are unfortunate, but they are a part of life. If you are a vehicle owner, you will find yourself having to deal with these unexpected repairs at some point. If you don’t have an emergency fund that you can tap into, you may find yourself having to use one of these methods to get the repairs you need.