Kathy Jane Buchanan
Written by Kathy Jane Buchanan

Kathy Jane Buchanan has more than 10 years of experience as an editor and writer. She currently worked as a full-time personal finance writer for PaydayChampion and has contributed work to a range of publications expert on loans. Kathy graduated in 2000 from Iowa State University with degree BSc in Finance.

Secured and unsecured loans are two financing options available to borrowers. The main difference is that secured loans require collateral, while unsecured loans do not. Collateral is a property or asset that a borrower pledges to the lender as security for the loan. Suppose the borrower is unable to repay the loan. The lender seized the collateral to cover the outstanding debt. Secured loans are used to finance large purchases that require significant money. Examples include mortgages and car loans. It is because the lender has the right to seize the collateral if the borrower defaults on the loan.

These loans are generally considered to be lower risk for the lender. Thus secured loans have lower interest rates and favorable terms than unsecured loans. Unsecured loans, such as personal and credit card loans, do not need collateral. Instead, the lender relies on the borrower’s credit score and ability to repay the loan. The lender does not have the same level of security as they do with a secured loan. Thus unsecured loans are riskier and have higher interest rates and less favorable terms.

What is a Secured Loan?

A secured loan is a type of loan that requires the borrower to provide some collateral as security for the loan. Suppose the borrower fails to repay the loan as agreed. The lender is allowed to take the collateral to cover the outstanding debt. Examples of secured loans include mortgages, car loans, and home equity loans. In the case of a mortgage, the collateral is the home itself. For those who default on the mortgage, the lender has the right to foreclose on the property. They then sell it to recover the outstanding debt. A vehicle is used to secure a car loan. Suppose the borrower defaults on the car loan; the lender has the right to repossess the vehicle. Borrowers obtain secured loans to finance significant purchases that require huge amounts of money. These loans are low risk because they allow the lender to seize the collateral if the borrower defaults.

What are the Pros and Cons of Secured Loans? 

Pros:

  • Lower interest rates. The lender has the right to seize the collateral if the borrower defaults. Thus secured loans are generally considered a lower risk for the lender. As a result, these loans may have lower interest rates than unsecured loans.
  • More favorable terms. Besides lower interest rates, secured loans have more favorable terms than unsecured loans. These include longer repayment periods or the ability to borrow larger amounts.
  • Help improve credit score. Suppose a borrower consistently makes on-time payments on a secured loan. It helps improve their credit score. Timely payments on a secured loan show the lender that the borrower is responsible and makes timely payments.

Cons:

  • Requires collateral. A borrower must provide some collateral as security to obtain a secured loan. These include a home, a car, or another type of property or asset. The borrower risks losing the property if they default on the loan.
  • Potential for repossession. Suppose the borrower defaults on a secured loan. The lender can take the collateral to cover the outstanding debt.

What Are Examples of a Secured Loan?

Mortgage

A mortgage is a secured loan used to purchase a home. The home acts as collateral for the loan. If the borrower defaults, the lender can foreclose on the property.

Auto Loan

An auto loan is a secured loan for purchasing a car, with the vehicle serving as collateral. If the borrower fails to repay, the lender has the right to repossess the car.

Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan is a secured loan allowing borrowers to use their home’s equity as collateral. In case of default, the lender can foreclose on the property.

What is an Unsecured Loan?

An unsecured loan is a type of loan that is not backed by any collateral. It means the lender does not have the right to seize any assets if the borrower fails to repay the loan. Instead, the lender relies on the borrower’s credit profile and financial stability. It helps them determine the interest rate. Examples of unsecured loans include credit card loans, personal loans, and student loans. Since the lender is taking on more risk, these loans have higher interest rates and less favorable terms. However, they are a good option for borrowers who need more collateral to pledge.

What are the Pros and Cons of Unsecured Loans?

Pros

  • No collateral is required. One of the main advantages of unsecured loans is that they do not require collateral. They are a good option for borrowers who do not have assets to pledge or do not want to put their assets at risk.
  • Quicker approval process. Since unsecured loans do not need collateral, the approval process is quicker than secured loans.
  • Flexible use of funds. Unsecured loans do not have specific restrictions on how the funds are used. Thus borrowers use the money for a wide range of purposes.

Cons:

  • Higher interest rates. Since the lender is taking on more risk with an unsecured loan, these loans may have higher interest rates than secured loans.
  • Strict credit requirements. Lenders have stricter credit requirements for unsecured loans. They help them compensate for the lack of collateral. This makes it harder for some borrowers to qualify.
  • Limited loan amounts. Unsecured loans have lower loan limits than secured loans. It makes it harder for borrowers to get the funds they need for larger purchases or projects.

What Are Examples of an Unsecured Loan?

Examples of unsecured loans include:

  • Credit card loans. Suppose a borrower charges a purchase to their credit card and does not pay the balance at the end of the billing cycle. They are taking out an unsecured loan from the credit card issuer.
  • Personal loans. Banks, credit unions, and online lenders issue personal loans. They are used for a wide range of purposes. These include debt consolidation, home improvements, and medical expenses.
  • Student loans. Federal student loans are unsecured loans issued by the government. They are meant to help students pay for college. Some private student loans are unsecured, depending on the lender.
  • Small business loans. Some small business loans, such as term loans and lines of credit, are unsecured. These loans are typically issued to businesses that need more collateral to pledge.

What Is the Difference Between a Secured and an Unsecured Loan Regarding Where to Apply?

The main difference between secured and unsecured loans regarding where to apply is the required collateral. Borrowers must provide collateral for secured loans. These include a car or home to back the loan, while unsecured loans do not. Secured loans are available from a wider range of lenders. These include banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Some obtain them from the dealership or seller for the asset being purchased. Unsecured loans are only available from banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Secured loans need more documentation and a longer approval process. The lender needs to assess the value of the collateral being offered. 

What Is the Difference Between a Secured and an Unsecured Loan Regarding Interest Rate?

The main difference between the two in terms of interest rate is the level of risk for the lender. Secured loans are backed by collateral. Thus they are considered less risky for the lender. They can seize the collateral if the borrower defaults on the loan. As a result, secured loans have lower interest rates than unsecured loans. Unsecured loans are riskier for the lender as they do not have collateral to fall back on if the borrower defaults. Unsecured loans typically have higher interest rates than secured loans. It helps them compensate for the increased risk. 

What Is the Difference Between a Secured and an Unsecured Loan Regarding Qualifications?

For secured loans, the borrower must satisfy a few things to qualify. These include the level of credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and employment history. Sometimes, the borrower must provide collateral, such as a car or home, to secure the loan. The collateral serves as security for the lender. They can seize the collateral if the borrower fails to repay the loan.

In contrast, unsecured loans do not require collateral. However, the borrower must have a higher credit score and lower debt-to-income ratio to qualify. Unsecured loans are riskier for the lender. They do not have the option to seize the collateral if the borrower defaults. 

What Is the Difference Between a Secured and an Unsecured Loan Regarding Processing Time?

The processing time for secured and unsecured loans differs. Secured loans have a faster processing time as the lender has a physical asset to hold as security. It means that the lender approves and disburses the loan more quickly. Sometimes, lenders skip certain steps in the underwriting process. These include a detailed credit check, as the collateral is a form of security. Unsecured loans take longer to process. It is because the lender does not have collateral as security. Therefore, they have to conduct a more detailed credit check and risk assessment of the borrower. It makes the process of approving and disbursing an unsecured loan more lengthy. 

What Is the Difference Between a Secured and an Unsecured Loan Regarding Repayment?

Secured loans, such as those that use a car or house as collateral, come with longer repayment terms. Thus they have lower interest rates. The lender has the security of the collateral and is more willing to offer more favorable terms. In addition, secured loans offer a lump sum payment or a line of credit drawn on as needed. Unsecured loans, such as personal or credit card loans, come with shorter repayment terms.

Additionally, they have higher interest rates as the lender has no collateral as security. Thus they perceive the loan as a higher risk. Additionally, they need regular payments. The repayment terms vary depending on the loan amount and the borrower’s creditworthiness.

What Is the Difference Between a Secured and an Unsecured Loan Regarding Risks?

A secured loan requires collateral, while an unsecured loan does not. Collateral is an asset that the borrower provides as security for the loan. Suppose the borrower cannot repay the loan. The lender keeps the collateral. It reduces the risk for the lender, as they have a tangible asset to recover their funds from. An unsecured loan does not require collateral. Lenders approve the loan based on credit scores and ability to repay. As a result, unsecured loans often have higher interest rates. Additionally, they have stricter qualifying criteria to compensate for the higher involved. Additionally, if the borrower defaults on an unsecured loan, the lender’s options for recovering the funds are limited.

What Is the Difference Between a Secured and an Unsecured Loan Regarding Collateral?

A secured loan requires the borrower to pledge some form of collateral. Examples include a property or a vehicle to guarantee the loan, while an unsecured loan does not. The lender can keep the collateral if the borrower defaults on the loan. Because of the added security, secured loans have lower interest rates. They come with better terms compared to unsecured loans. Unsecured loans, such as credit cards or personal loans, do not require collateral. Thus they are more accessible to a broader range of borrowers. However, they have higher interest rates and more strict qualifications and repayments. 

Why Does an Unsecured Loan Have a Higher Interest Rate Than a Secured Loan?

An unsecured loan has a higher interest rate than a secured loan. It is because lenders take on more risk by lending money without collateral. With a secured loan, the lender has the added security of the collateral if the borrower cannot repay the loan. Without collateral, the lender is taking on the full risk of the borrower defaulting on the loan. As a result, they charge a higher interest rate to compensate for this added risk.

Additionally, unsecured loans tend to be smaller. Thus, lenders charge a higher rate to increase the profit or cover administrative costs. Thus, borrowers must weigh each loan’s costs and benefits and determine the best fit for their financial situation.

Is a Personal Loan Secured or Unsecured?

Personal loans are either secured or unsecured. It depends on the type of loan and the lender’s requirements. A secured personal loan needs borrowers to put up collateral. It means that borrowers pledge an asset as collateral for the loan. They give the lender permission to seize the asset if the borrower defaults. An unsecured personal loan is a loan that is not secured by collateral. The borrower does not need to pledge assets as collateral for the loan. The lender cannot seize any assets if the borrower defaults.

Is Mortgage Loan Secured or Unsecured?

Yes, a mortgage loan is a secured loan. Borrowers use a mortgage loan to purchase a property or to refinance an existing one. The purchased property is used to secure the loan or refinance it. Thus the lender holds a lien on the property and forecloses on it if the borrower defaults. The property serves as collateral for the loan, and the lender requires a certain amount of equity in the property to approve the loan. Lenders need proof of the borrower’s income, creditworthiness, and employment to approve the loan.

Is the Car Loan Secured or Unsecured?

Yes, a car loan is a secured loan. It is a loan used to purchase a car or other vehicle. The vehicle is used to secure these loans. Thus the lender holds a lien on the car or vehicle and repossesses it if the borrower defaults on the loan. Since the car is collateral for the loan, the lender has a certain degree of security. It assures them that the borrower has no option but to repay the loan. 

Should I Choose a Secured or Unsecured Loan?

It depends on an individual’s financial situation and obtaining a specific loan. Secured loans come with lower interest rates and better terms than unsecured loans. The lender has collateral security if the borrower defaults on the loan. However, securing a collateral loan means the borrower is risking their assets. Lenders can repossess it if they cannot make the loan payments. Unsecured loans have higher interest rates and less favorable terms than secured loans. Lenders take on a higher risk by not having security for the loan. However, they do not put any assets at risk and are the only option for some borrowers without collateral or equity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between secured loans and unsecured loans?

The main difference is that secured loans require collateral, such as a car or house, to secure the loan, while unsecured loans do not require collateral, relying solely on the borrower’s creditworthiness.

How do interest rates typically differ between secured and unsecured loans?

Interest rates on secured loans tend to be lower because collateral reduces the lender’s risk. Unsecured loans, lacking collateral, often come with higher interest rates to compensate for the added risk.

What are some common examples of secured loans and unsecured loans?

Common secured loans include mortgages and auto loans. Unsecured loans encompass personal loans, credit cards, and student loans.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of secured loans compared to unsecured loans?

Secured loans offer lower interest rates and higher borrowing limits but require collateral. Unsecured loans don’t require collateral but often have higher interest rates and stricter eligibility criteria.

How does the approval process for secured loans differ from that of unsecured loans?

The approval process for secured loans involves assessing the value of the collateral, which can take more time. Unsecured loans rely more on credit history and income, leading to faster approval decisions.

Kathy Jane Buchanan

Kathy Jane Buchanan has more than 10 years of experience as an editor and writer. She currently worked as a full-time personal finance writer for PaydayChampion and has contributed work to a range of publications expert on loans. Kathy graduated in 2000 from Iowa State University with degree BSc in Finance.