What happens if you default on a personal loan — and how do you prevent it?
A personal loan default hurts your credit score. Here’s how to avoid it.
7 min read
Jul 11, 2025
Erin Lowry
Expert Reviewer, Personal Finance
EXPERTISE
- Credit cards
- Banking
- Consumer loans and debt management
- Mortgages
- Real estate
- Personal finance
Bankrate's Expert Contributors
Our Expert Contributors are a select group of creators, experts and thought leaders who share first-person perspectives on finance and its intersections with our lives.
Meet our expertsAbout Erin
Erin Lowry is the author of the four-part Broke Millennial series, including: Broke Millennial, Broke Millennial Takes On Investing, Broke Millennial Talks Money and Broke Millennial Workbook: Take Control and Get Your Financial Life Together. Erin’s been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and on GMA3, ABC News, CBS Sunday Morning, CNBC and The Rachael Ray Show. She has written for The New York Times, USA Today, and other major publications.
Erin's latest articles
-
-
Guide to Capital One transfer partners
Learn which Capital One transfer partners allow you to transfer at a 1:1 rate.
10 min read Jun 30, 2025 -
What happens if you never pay your student loans?
Defaulting on your student loans can cause short- and long-term consequences.
8 min read Jun 30, 2025 -
What is student loan default? Millions of federal loan borrowers are finding out
Unlike a late payment, true default comes with consequences that can last for years.
9 min read Jun 30, 2025 -
What is the ROI of your college degree?
Here’s how much of your salary could go toward student loan payments.
6 min read Jun 30, 2025 -
“My biggest fear is a repeat of 2008”: Experts weigh in on the Fannie Mae-Freddie Mac conservatorship
Our expert’s analysis of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conservatorship debate.
6 min read Jun 24, 2025 -
What is an unsecured credit card?
Unsecured credit cards don’t require a security deposit for approval.
7 min read Jun 24, 2025 -
How 5 Bankrate Experts Used Their Chase Sapphire Preferred Welcome Bonuses
Bankrate’s editorial team is full of fans. And there’s a big new welcome offer for the card that Chase just announced this week that provides a timely example of why this card is consistently a staff [...]
4 min read Jun 23, 2025