Does Paying A Xar Faster Sve Any Money

Save Money on Interest

There are advantages and disadvantages of paying off a car loan early — Shendart / Getty Images

Interest on a car loan can add up quickly. It is easy to save money by paying your loan off early. The amount of interest you pay every month does decrease a little bit because your balance is going down. Use an amortization calculator to determine your savings. I like to use Bankrate's auto loan calculator. Fill in your info and click show amortization schedule.

In the second to last column, it tells you total interest paid. Scroll down to the bottom and you will see the total interest paid. Now scroll back up to where it states "add additional monthly payment" type a reasonable number into it. Scroll down and see the total interest paid.

Subtract this lower number from your original number and that will be your savings on interest. The calculator will also tell you your new payoff date.

Example: A $15,000 car loan at a 7% interest rate would cost you $2821 in interest over a five year period. Add $50 a month to your payment and you would reduce your car loan by 10 months, and save $487 in interest.

Reduce Your Car Insurance Cost

Save Money on Car Insurance by paying off a car loan early — PeopleImages / Getty Images

Once your car loan is paid off, you can reevaluate your car insurance coverage. If you have paid for your vehicle through financing, most lenders require you to pay for full coverage car insurance as well. Now that your car is paid off, you have options.

Option 1: Keep your car insurance coverage as is. It may not save you money but if your vehicle is damaged in a car accident your car insurance can help repair the damage.

Option 2: Remove collision coverage. Collision coverage is the coverage you need when you damage your vehicle and it was your fault. It can also potentially help when someone damages your parked vehicle. Collision coverage is often the most expensive coverage. Take a look at your potential for an accident, how much your vehicle is worth, and how much the coverage costs. With all three of those pieces of information, you should be able to determine if the coverage is right for you. If you cannot decide, get some advice from your agent. Agents often do not tell you what to purchase but can offer guidance in the decision-making process.

Option 3: Remove comprehensive coverage and collision coverage. Comprehensive coverage protects against fire, theft, vandalism, flying objects, deer, weather, and more. Removing comprehensive coverage would leave you with no physical damage coverage on your car insurance policy.

When Should I NOT Pay Off My Vehicle Early?

Happy Red Convertible Owner that did not pay off his auto loan early — Jonathan Gelber / Getty Images

Let's say you have a really good interest rate on your car insurance loan of $10,000, never carry balances on your credit cards, and plan on keeping full insurance coverage on your vehicle. You happen to have the good fortune of receiving a check in the mail for $10,000. Should you pay off the loan?

In most cases, yes. You'll be saving the amount of your interest in the long-run. But if you can find an investment that has a good chance of a higher payout, like the stock market, it might make sense to park your money there instead of rushing to pay off a loan that comes with pretty good terms in the first place.