Q. What’s the difference between a joint car loan and a car loan with a co-signer?
Wes M. – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A. A joint car loan is much better than a co-signer. When you co-sign for a loan, you’re legally responsible for making the payments if the other person defaults. Even worse, you have no ownership rights to the vehicle, your name is not on the title and you can’t sell it if they default or get any insurance payments if it’s wrecked, even if you are making the car loan payments.
A joint car loan is better because you would be an equal owner of the vehicle. While you’re still responsible for the payments, your name would be on the title and you would have equal rights to the car’s use and any insurance money if it’s totaled.
