### Day 16 to 30 Past Due: Late Fees and Escalation If the grace period expires and the payment remains unpaid, a late fee is assessed to your account. The lender's collection efforts will intensify. You can expect more frequent communication attempts as the company works to secure the past-due amount before the account falls further behind. ### Day 30 to 90 Past Due: Default and Repossession Order Once a payment is 30 days or more past due, the loan is typically considered to be in default. Depending on the terms of your contract and state regulations, the lender has the legal right to initiate the physical repossession of the vehicle once default occurs. The lender may assign a local repossession agency to locate and retrieve the car. The actual repossession can happen at any time, day or night, without prior warning, depending on state laws. ## Who Handles Carvana Repossessions? It is important to note that Carvana itself does not typically service the auto loans it originates. Instead, most Carvana financing is managed by Bridgecrest Acceptance Corporation, which serves as the loan servicer.
If you financed your vehicle directly through Carvana, your payments, communications, and account management go through Bridgecrest. Therefore, any decisions regarding late payments, loan modifications, payment extensions, or repossession actions are handled by Bridgecrest rather than Carvana's retail customer service team. If you financed through a third-party bank or credit union, that specific institution will dictate the repossession timeline and policies. ## Where to Find Your Repossession Terms To understand the exact timeline and legal rights associated with your vehicle loan, you should review your official loan documents. * **Retail Installment Contract:** This is the primary agreement you signed when purchasing the vehicle. It outlines the grace period, late fee amounts, definition of default, and the lender's rights regarding repossession. * **Bridgecrest Online Account:** Logging into your online account portal allows you to view your current payment status, outstanding balance, and any notices regarding delinquency. * **State Consumer Protection Laws:** Repossession rules are heavily regulated at the state level. Some states require lenders to send a "Right to Cure" notice, giving you a specific number of days to bring the account current before they can repossess the vehicle. Other states allow lenders to repossess immediately upon default without prior notice.
## Steps to Take to Avoid Repossession If you are struggling to make your payments, taking proactive steps as early as possible is the best way to prevent the loss of your vehicle. ### Contact Bridgecrest Immediately Lenders generally prefer to receive payments rather than go through the costly process of repossessing and selling a vehicle. Contact the customer service or collections department to explain your financial situation. ### Ask for a Payment Deferment or Extension Depending on your payment history and the reason for your financial hardship, the lender may offer a temporary deferment. This allows you to skip one or two payments and add them to the end of your loan term, bringing your account back to current status.
### Refinance the Loan If your credit score is still in good standing, you may be able to refinance the auto loan through an external bank or credit union to secure a lower monthly payment or a longer repayment term. ## Verifying Your Account Status Because policies, state laws, and individual contract terms vary, you should always verify your exact account status directly with your lender. Do not rely on general timelines to assume you have a specific number of days before repossession occurs. Contact Bridgecrest or your designated financial institution directly to discuss your account and confirm the options available to keep your vehicle.
