Published : 12 years ago, on 23/08/2012

For many of us there will be some point at which we need to use some form of credit to make a purchase. This may be as a mortgage on a property, or as finance for a car, or through a personal loan. Unsecured loans are a very popular format to finance one of life’s bigger expenditures.

You might want to make some much needed home improvements, or may need some finance for an unforeseen medical situation. Whatever your motivation, an unsecured personal loan could just be the answer. But when faced with all the alternatives the question is where do you start?

At the moment, there are a vast range of loans on offer and a growing number of lenders to choose from. As a result selecting the right loan for you can be a fairly confusing process. There are a few points you should consider before you embark on the process.

In the world of personal loans there are two main types: secured and unsecured. The basic difference between the two is that with a secured loan you will offer your home as a guarantee of repayment. If you are not a homeowner you simply cannot obtain a secured loan.

As a consequence of using their home as security the borrower can benefit from a range of features with a secured loan. Generally speaking, the amounts that you have access to are higher and often the rates of repayment are less.

If a secured loan offers so many advantages then why choose the unsecured option?
There are many reasons that you should really look at the unsecured option when it comes to personal loans. The primary reason really is to ensure that you do not leave your property vulnerable to repossession or loss. There are penalties for defaulting on the repayments of an unsecured loan, but on a secured loan this can mean the loss of your home.

We are living through uncertain times and the recent dramatic changes in the market have resulted in many people suffering loss of earnings or losing their jobs. If you feel as though your personal situation might be vulnerable then you should consider an unsecured personal loan when borrowing.

Your health may also be a consideration. If you have been experiencing health problems that might cause you to lose income then choosing an unsecured loan will mean that, even if you do experience a protracted period of illness, you will not suffer the loss of property at the same time. Many health problems are unforeseen, but if you are aware that you have an impending operation, and are borrowing, an unsecured loan is probably the better option.

Unsecured loans do offer some advantages over different forms of borrowing. You could, as an alternative to an unsecured loan, choose to borrow the money on a credit card. The interest rate on an unsecured loan is fixed, unlike a credit card which may increase during the period that you are borrowing for. This fixed amount will give you an exact repayment figure which you can budget for as part of your repayment plan.