Whether you are thinking about starting a business, improving your home, fixing your credit situation, going on that dream vacation there is always going to be a company that fits your needs. I strongly recommend that you choose an online lender. With online lenders you will be able to get lower interest rates and more loan features than with a traditional bank. I encourage you to get rates today, which can be done in 2 minutes.

What is an unsecured personal loan?

An unsecured loan has no collateral behind it, but only the creditworthiness of the borrower to verify capacity to repay. Because there is not property behind the loan, borrowers will usually have to have higher credit scores to be approved for the loan. Another thing to take into consideration is that interest rates are also dependent on the creditworthiness as well as the income of the borrower. Some personal loan companies look at other factors like education, employment history, etc. An unsecured loan may be taken out for household, medical expenses, vacation, debt consolidation, etc.

Secured vs unsecured loan

Since unsecured loans are a greater risk to the lender they often have higher interest rates than secured loans, but they also don’t leave the borrower at risk of losing their house or car. Unsecured loans will help you to sleep better at night knowing that your major items are safe. You will need a higher credit score and annual income than with a secured loan. Sometimes borrowers with insufficient credit can provide a cosigner to take on legal obligation to pay the debt if the borrower cannot.

Personal loan companies

SoFi

SoFi is the face of online lending. SoFi offers exceptional rates and perks to those with high credit and income. A credit score of 680 is required to get a loan through SoFi, but most SoFi borrowers have credit scores that are over 700. You don’t have to make a specific amount to borrow with SoFi. With that said, SoFi wants you to be able to pay off your loan each month and have money to spare.

Most people who borrow on the SoFi platform make around $100,000. For those who can qualify, SoFi offers perks like not charging late fees, letting you change payment due dates, and giving you protection if you lose income through no fault of your own. Their forbearance unemployment protection is one of SoFi’s best features. If you were to ever lose your job SoFi would temporarily pause payments and even go out there way to help you find a job.

SoFi offers highly varied loan amounts from $5000 to $100,000. The rate is usually fixed between 7.08% and 15.37% and variable rates are between 5.81% and 14.11%. Loans can be repaid in 3 to 7 years which is rare. Funding typically takes about a week. Another plus of SoFi is that loans can be transferred from parent to child.

With SoFi you can earn $100. All that you have to do is click this link and you will receive $100 when you apply.

Laurel Road

Laurel Road specializes in student loans, especially for healthcare professionals. They offer student loan refinancing to make bouncing back from college loans more feasible for graduating students. They also offer excellent personal loans, however. Laurel Road offers loans from $1000 to $45,000, with fixed rates between 5.5% and 11.74%. This is one of the lower top rates in the industry, so even if you are hit with Laurel Road’s highest rates you won’t be paying too much. Loan terms are offered in three or five year periods. Laurel Road has high expectations for their personal loan borrowers. You must have a credit score of 680 or above and an annual income of 60,000 or more in order to receive a loan from this company. What I love about Laurel Road is that they have a great reputation. The company received an “A+” BBB grade, which means that they are trustworthy and they run their business with integrity. Laurel Road is great at handling the complains and concerns of their borrowers. By clicking this link you will receive $80 with Laurel Road.

Earnest

Earnest is a big player in the online lending industry. Earnest is for borrowers who want to quickly pay off refinanced college debt, but it is great for personal loans as well. This company isn’t about fees. There is no late fee, origination fee, or prepayment fee. This means that you will receive the full extent of your loan. You can expect to receive funding within a week of being approved. To qualify for a loan with Earnest, you will need a minimum credit score of 680 and proof of consistent income. If you have had a bankruptcy in the past three years or live in Delaware, Alabama, Kentucky, Rhode Island, or Nevada, you cannot get a loan through Earnest. You can get a personal loan rate with Earnest for as low as 6.99%. Borrowers will be able to get a loan anywhere from $5K-$75K.

Upstart

Upstart all started by students exchanging a percentage of their income over the course of a decade in exchange for mentorship and capital from investors. In 2014 Upstart began offering fixed term lending. Upstart offers loans for individuals of all ages. However, they are a big hit for young adults. Upstart considers various factors like education and job history, and may offer better rates for those without much of a credit history, using an innovative algorithm. You can pay off your loan early with no fee with Upstart, but there is usually an origination fee. Upstart offers rates from 8.36% to 29.99%, which are higher than other lenders. With a minimum credit score of only 640 and other aspects taken into account as well, this may be one of the only options for many borrowers.

LightStream

LightStream is a fantastic lender that offers high loans at low rates, with no fees, to those with good credit or a co-signer. To use LightStream you should have a credit score of at least 660. Also, you should have several years of good credit history and a reputation of making payments on time.

With LighStream you will not have to prove your minimum income. What LightStream cares about is, are you able to pay your loan off or not?

To make getting approved with LightStream easier, you should have a variety of credit accounts. If you have a co-signer with good credit, you can have a credit score below the minimum, opening up lending options. LightStream is a great option for those who are consolidating debt or making home improvements, since it has low rates and long repayment terms. Loan amounts are offered between $5000 and $100,000. The rates are between 3.09% and 14.24%. If you need money fast, this can be a great option for you, since they often fund the same day as you apply. Repayment can be from two to seven years, or up to 12 years for home improvements.

Avant

Do you have poor or low credit? If so, then you will love that Avant reaches out to those with low credit scores who need to consolidate debt or make essential expenses. This is a lending company geared towards the middle class, requiring only an annual income of $20,000. They offer flexibility in loan payments as well. You can borrow from $2000 to $35,000 at rates between 9.95% and 35.99%. While these are some of the higher rates in the industry, these are the only loans some borrowers can get, since they require a credit score of only 580. The average credit score for Avant borrowers is between 600 and 700. Avant doesn’t hold back from fees. Borrowers can expect fees for opening the account, making late payments, and making unsuccessful payments. There is not, however, a fee for prepayment. This means that you will feel say when you pay off your loan before your loan term ends. Avant can get you your money as soon as the next business day, and repayments plans are monthly, from two to five years.

Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage is a product of Quicken Loans that was created to give borrows a better online experience. Rocket Mortgage offers loans fast to those with a good credit score and history. The minimum credit score to apply for a loan with Rocket Mortgage is 640, but most borrowers have higher credit scores. Borrowers must have at least two years of good credit history to qualify. You must earn at least $24,000 to get a loan through Rocket Loans, although most recipients have annual incomes closer to $78,000. This company will get you money fast, usually the next business day or the same day for loans under $25,000. Personal loan amounts are offered between $2000 and $35,000, with rates between 5.98% and 28.99%. Rocket Mortgage charges a fee to open your loan, late fees, and unsuccessful payment fees. You can choose a repayment plan of three or five years.

LendingTree

Lending Tree is a rare company on this list. How you ask? LendingTree is not in itself a loan company. Nor is LendingTree a P2P lender such as Lending Club. Rather, they connect borrowers with lenders from their network that offer the best loans for each borrower. Citi Bank, Wells Fargo, and more all offer loans to Lending Tree customers. When you apply for your loan through Lending Tree, they gather competitive loan offers from all of their lenders so that they can offer you the best possible loan for your needs. Lending Tree has access to lenders that the borrower may not be able to directly contact. These lenders may accept lower credit scores or offer lower rates than other companies. LendingTree rates are dependent on a number of different factors. Your rates can be anywhere from 6 to 36%.

OneMain Financial

OneMain Financial is another loan provider that focuses on those who don’t have good credit and may not qualify for a traditional loan. If your credit score isn’t your best feature, you need money fast, and you don’t mind a brick and mortar experience, OneMain may be right for you. With OneMain you can kiss a credit score requirement goodbye, so you can feel hopeful applying no matter what your credit score is. There is no minimum credit history or annual income either, although most recipients have an annual income of $49,000. Most recipients of loans have scores between 600 and 650, lower than what is acceptable for most loans. Funds are typically released the same day as approval, so you can get money fast, but you will need to visit one of the OneMain branches to complete your loan application. OneMain offers loans between $1,500 and $30,000. The thing that you might dread with OneMain is that they have some of the highest rates in the industry, between 16.05% and 35.99%. Repayment plans are two or five years.

Bottom line

If you are shopping for an unsecured personal loan there are a lot of options available to you. In general, the higher your credit score and annual income, the better your rates will be. This said, some of these companies take into account your education and expected earnings or allow a cosigner, increasing your options even if your credit score isn’t superb. If you have a less than stellar credit score, low annual earnings, and no cosigner, there are still options for you, although your rate is likely to be higher than other borrowers. If you really need the loan to consolidate debt or pay necessary medical expenses or home maintenance, even a high rate is worth it to get the money you need fast. Whatever company you choose, make sure you choose a plan that is realistic for you.

The post Best Unsecured Personal Loans first appeared on Quote Raters.

In the comparison, we will be comparing multiple factors between these two lenders such as their credit score requirements, their APR, their loan amounts, and more.

What is Upstart?

Upstart is an online lender that was founded in 2012 by ex-Googlers. Today the company has over 85 employees and has funded over $2 billion in loans. The goal of Upstart is to use data to offer better access to capital on fair and flexible terms. Upstart allows you to refinance student loans, credit cards, and debt consolidation loans. Upstart also allows you to get personal loans for taxes, weddings, home improvement, bills, large purchases, business, and more.

What is SoFi?

SoFi is online personal finance company that was founded in 2011. Today this online lender has funded well over $30 billion and they currently have over 500,000 members. SoFi allows you to get personal loans, mortgage loans, Parent PLUS refinancing, medical resident refinancing, and more.

Comparing the reputation of both lenders

BBB

Having a good Better Business Bureau score means that a company honestly represent products and services, protects the data of their customers well, honors their promises, and they maintained a positive track record.

Upstart has been a BBB accredited company since 11/30/2015. They currently have an “A+” BBB rating.

SoFi has an “A+” Better Business Bureau rating as well.

Trustpilot 

Out of 400+ reviews Upstart has a rating score of 9.6 out of 10. This is an excellent 5 out of 5 star score from UpStart.

SoFi has an amazing Trustpilot rating score as well. SoFi has over 1900 reviews and received an excellent Trustpilot score of 9.2 out of 10 and 5 out of 5 stars.

Comparing personal loan rates 

Upstart rates 

Upstart rates are on the high side compared to other lenders that we have reviewed. Their APR ranges from 7.80% to 29.99%.

Click here to get rates with Upstart.

SoFi rates

When comparing rates SoFi easily beats out Prosper, Upstart, and many of the top lenders. SoFi has personal rates that range from 6.57% APR to 16.25% APR.

Start SoFi here and get a $100 bonus.

Comparing the loan term options 

Loan terms – The loan term is the period of time that your loan will last if you make the required payments. The shorter your loan term the more that you will be able to save on interest rates.

Upstart has loan terms that range from 3 – 5 years.

SoFi has loan terms that range from 3 – 7 years.

How much can I borrow with each lender?

Upstart is for smaller loans. With Upstart you can take out loan amounts from $1,000 – $50,000.

If you need larger loans, then SoFi is a better fit. With SoFi you will be able to take out loans from $5000 to $100,000.

Features and benefits

Upstart

• Next day funding
• You will be able to borrow a lower minimum amount compared to other lenders. For example, both LightStream and SoFi offer loan amounts for $5000 and up.
• Peer to peer lending for investors.
• No prepayment penalty
• Quick and easy
• Soft credit check

SoFi

• If you ever lose your job. SoFi will temporary stop your payments and help you to find a job.
• Free SoFi events for all members. Members will be able to bring a guest.
• Complimentary financial advising.
• Get a 0.125% rate discount on any additional loans.
• No fees
• Low rates
• Soft credit check
• Easy Experience

The personal loan process

Both lenders allow you to get a loan in a few steps. All that you have to do is answer a few basic questions, such as your name, education, and employment history. Next you will have to choose your loan options and loan terms. Choose what best fits you. Then, you will sign and wait for approval. One of the main reasons why more people are switching to online lenders is because the application process is easier and quicker. Lenders such as SoFi can verify your information without you having to send in documents like you would with a traditional lender. Both loan applications will take only a few minutes.

Minimum credit score 

SoFi wants those who desire a personal loan to have a good credit score of 680. There is no minimum annual income that you have to make with SoFi, but most of their borrowers make over $100,000.

Upstart works with those who don’t have the best credit. Those who desire a personal loan with Upstart must have a credit score of at least 620. With Upstart you must make at least 12,000 a year.

Fees comparison

Upstart 

Upstart does not have a prepayment penalty fee if you pay off your loan faster than your loan term. However, they do have an origination fee that ranges from 0% – 8% of the target amount. Upstart also has a late payment fee of 5% of the monthly past due amount or $15. Whichever is greater is the amount that you will have to pay.

SoFi 

SoFi is unlike other lenders. With SoFi you will not have to worry about origination fees. SoFi has a 15-day grace period on their payments. After this grace period ends you will have to pay a 4% late fee of the total payment or $5. The amount that is less is the amount that you will have to pay.

When will my loan be funded?

SoFi loans will be funded within 1 to 7 days after the loan is approved. Upstart loans can be funded in in as little as one business day after your personal loan is approved.

Support comparison

Upstart offers a Help Center with various articles to help you maneuver around the Upstart platform. In their Help Center you will learn how to make payments, learn if you are eligible, and more.

Upstart’s phone support is available from Monday through Sunday from 6:00 AM PST to 5:00 PM PST.

SoFi has a larger Resource Center than Upstart. They answers more common questions that might arise for a borrower. SoFi’s phone support is available from Monday to Thursday from 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM PT and Friday to Sunday 4:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT.

Which personal lender is better?

There are many things about both lenders that you will love. They both offer an easy application process and they both have fast funding times. However, each lender uniquely caters to a certain group of people. For those with fair credit, then Upstart might be the better choice because they only have a 620 credit requirement. Upstart will also be the better choice if you need a loan under $5000. Overall, SoFi is the best choice. SoFi will give you more affordable rates and less fees. Also, more benefits and features come with getting a loan with SoFi. I encourage you to get rates today to see how much you will be paying for a loan. This can be done in a few minutes.

The post Upstart Vs SoFi first appeared on Quote Raters.

In this SoFi vs Earnest comparison article, we will help you to lower your monthly loan rates by thoroughly examining two popular names to help you to get out of debt quicker.

What is SoFi?

Social Finance, Inc. is a well-known personal finance company that offers a plethora of different options for borrowers. SoFi was founded in 2011 by Mike Cagney, Dan Macklin, James Finnigan, and Ian Brady. The goal of SoFi is to provide an easier option for you to reduce your student loans.

What is Earnest?

Earnest is a fintech lender that offers student loan refinancing and personal loans. Earnest was founded two years after SoFi. In 2013, Earnest was founded by Louis Beryl and Benjamin Hutchinson. The company officially launched their site on March 2014. The goal of Earnest is to reduce the costs that financially responsible people may face.

Reputation comparison 

Both platforms have great reviews in TrustPilot, BBB, Reddit, and more.

BBB 

Better Business Bureau is an important factor when comparing companies because it allows you to know if the company can be trusted or not. BBB will allow you to know how well each company handles the complaints of their customers. A few factors that BBB takes into consideration include: the complaint history of your business, transparent business practices, failure to honor commitments to BBB, and more.

Both online lenders performed well in the BBB rating system. Both Earnest and SoFi have an “A+” rating in the BBB rating overview.

TrustPilot

TrustPilot is another great source to help us with knowing the trustworthiness of a company.

With over 1900+ reviews, SoFi.com received a TrustScore of 9.2 out of 10. This is an excellent trust score. Earnest.com received a TrustScore of 8.4 out of 10. Both companies received exceptional ratings from TrustPilot, but it is clear that SoFi beats out Earnest in the reputation comparison.

Student loan refinancing rates compare

All prices shown are assuming you set up autopay, which gives you a discount of 0.25%.

SoFi rates 

SoFi has 5 terms for you to choose from ranging from 5 years to 20 years. The shorter your term the more you will be able to save. SoFi offers fixed rates for as low as 3.899% and as high as 7.804%. They also offer variable rates for as low as 2.480% and as high as 7.804%

Fixed rate loans

Variable rate loans 

Fixed rate vs variable rate student loan

Variable is all about the market and how it’s doing at the moment. The good thing about variable rates is that you may be able to get a low rate. The bad about variable is that your rates can change if the market changes. You may have a low rate, but since rates may fluctuate you may end up with high rates.

Fixed rates are more predictable. With fixed rates you will not have to worry about your interest rates changing. A fixed rate is the safer option for borrowers. However, you might be able to save more with variable rate loans if you are willing to take on the potential risk of a market change.

Earnest rates

Earnest has loan terms ranging from 5 to 20 years. Earnest is slightly more expensive than SoFi.

• Variable rates range from 2.57% – 5.87%.
• Fixed rates range from 3.89% – 6.32%.

Fees comparison

With SoFi and Earnest you will not have to worry about application or origination fees, nor will you have to worry about prepayment penalties. One of the benefits of choosing an online lender is that they will process all of your information online.

Online lenders are adapting to what millennials desire, which as a quick and easy loan process. By being online lenders both companies cut the cost and by cutting the costs, customers are able to benefit.

The loan application process

Earnest offers a quick and easy refinancing experience that will help you to save time and money. The first step in the application process is to add basic information such as your name. Then you will add your education history. You will then add your financial information and residential information. After following these four steps you will be able to get your rates.

The SoFi student loan refinancing process is simple and easy. With SoFi you will be able to get rates in 4 steps. Uploading documents and talking to experts via live chat while you are completing the loan process can easily be done.

Features comparison of both companies.

SoFi features and benefits

• 0.125% rate discount – By bundling loans you will be able to receive a 0.125% discount with SoFi. This means more savings on mortgages, mortgage refinancing, personal loans, and student loan refinancing.
• Consolidation of federal and private loans.
• Complimentary guidance from licensed financial advisors.
• Unemployment Protection
• Entrepreneur Program
• Community events
• SoFi Money
• Soft credit pull
• Student loan calculator

Earnest features and benefits

• You will be able to consolidate your private and federal loans
• Optional bi-weekly payments
• You will be able to skip one payment every 12 months after you have made 6 consecutive payments on time.
• Precision Pricing
• Soft credit pull
• Unique application process
• Refi student loan calculator
• Comprehensive underwriting process

How much can you borrow?

With both companies there is a $5000 loan minimum.

Earnest loan amounts range from $5000 to $75,000.

SoFi loan amounts range from $5000 to $100,000.

Estimated funding time comparison 

Waiting for a loan can seem never-ending. However, both companies offer fast funding times

On average Earnest funds their loans within a week to two weeks after you are approved.

On average SoFi funds their loans in under 7 days after you are approved.

Minimum credit score for both companies

• Applicants must have with at least a 650 credit score.

Availability

Whether you live in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, New York, Georgia, Illinois, Washington, etc. you will be glad to know that both San Francisco, California based lenders offer loans in all 50 states.

Mobile app comparison 

Earnest has an awesome mobile app. This app is only available for iPhone at the moment, but the company is working on creating an app for Androids. With the app you can control when you pay, adjust your payments, and more.

SoFi’s mobile app is available for both iPhone and Android phones. The app allows you to connect with other SoFi members, use fingerprint scanning, apply for SoFi loans, and more.

Customer support comparison

SoFi

Customer phone support

Monday – Thursday 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM PT
Friday – Sunday 4:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT

SoFi gives their customers frequently asked questions and a large resource center for help with debt management, home buying, investing, and more.

Earnest

Customer phone support

Phone hours are Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm Pacific Time.

Earnest has a help center with general questions, applying for a loan help, repaying a loan, and more.

Which company is better?

Both lenders have similarities and unique perks about them. With either company you will have no problem getting decent APR rate. However, I believe SoFi is the clear winner in this review. Is SoFi worth it? Yes, SoFi is cheaper, has a shorter funding time, and it has better ratings across the boards.

The post SoFi Vs Earnest first appeared on Quote Raters.

In this LendingTree personal loan review, we will take a look at the LendingTree reputation, loan rates, funding time, minimum credit score, and more.

Advantages of getting a personal loan

There are many good reasons to take out a personal loan. Since you don’t have to put up collateral to qualify for a personal loan, it can be a safer and more obtainable option for many borrowers, despite the higher interest rates than you expect to see with secured loans.

Perhaps you have been hit by a large unforeseen cost, such as a medical cost or major home repair. A personal loan can let you take care of the payment and have more time to pay it off than would be possible with your credit card.

If you have racked up a lot of debt due to credit card use or student loans, a personal loan can consolidate the debt, allowing you to make a single monthly payment that is easier to handle than many credit card accounts or loans. You may also be able to qualify for a better rate than you are currently getting, saving you money overall.

Perhaps everything is going well in your life, and you would like to make a big purchase or expenditure like a boat, pool, or wedding. A personal loan can let you enjoy the purchase or event now, then pay it off while continuing to enjoy it, rather than having to save up for it.

What is LendingTree?

When the founder of LendingTree, Doug Lebda, wanted to buy his first home, he found the process of obtaining a mortgage by shopping at multiple banks exhausting and challenging, even for an accountant like him. He thought it must be extremely difficult for the average prospective homeowner with a full-time job and no financial experience.

LendingTree was Lebda’s answer to this challenging process, letting people shop for a mortgage, personal loan, student, loan, or other kind of loan choice between multiple loans for which they qualified, without the legwork. Not only does this save the borrower time, but it also causes banks and lenders to compete for the borrower’s business, which may get you a better deal.

How does LendingTree Work?

LendingTree prides itself on taking the frustration and legwork out of shopping for a personal loan. The application process is extremely simple and easy for anyone, no matter your financial history or credit score. Just complete as much information as you can, and LendingTree will match you to five banks for whom you prequalify. Lenders may run reports that can affect your credit score in order to pre-approve you. You will find out which five lenders you prequalify for very quickly. Once you choose a company, you will begin their application process, taking it out of the hands of LendingTree.

Reputation

An A- rating on Better Business Bureau, due to a failure to respond to a few complaints, combined with a five-star rating and 82% excellent score on Trustpilot, leaves LendingTree with a relatively good but not stellar reputation.

Keep in mind that many borrowers will tend to judge LendingTree based on the experience they have with the lender that they are matched with, although this experience does not necessarily reflect at all on LendingTree as matchmaker.

Once you are matched with a loan provider, carefully consider their reputation, as well as their policies, before you make up your mind. LendingTree does not guarantee the experience you have with a matched lender.

LendingTree personal loan rates

You can get some of the best rates in the business by giving LendingTree your stellar credit score, financial history, and income to expenditure ratio and letting lenders fight over your highly desirable business.

Rates as low as 6% can even beat a credit card or mortgage for some highly qualified candidates.

For those who are not so well qualified, rates can go pretty high. You may receive a rate as high as 36% if your credit score isn’t great, or you don’t have a responsible financial history or if your income is mostly taken up by expenses. Keep in mind that you can apply with a cosigner through LendingTree so that you can be matched to banks that offer more reasonable rates with a cosigner.

Fees review

LendingTree is completely free for borrowers to use. You won’t be asked for any money, or even your payment information, until you have been matched with lenders, chosen one, and been qualified. LendingTree warns borrowers never to pay anything or give payment information until the process has been completed. LendingTree is free to borrowers because lenders pay for the privilege of being matched to borrowers.

LendingTree member benefits and features

The experience of being a part of LendingTree will only last for a very short period. Just fill out the information, get matched, and your relationship with LendingTree is over. The features offered are straightforward: the opportunity to be matched with five lenders who are competing for your business. What I love about LendingTree as well is that you will be given a free credit score.

LendingTree minimum credit score

You can apply through LendingTree with any credit score, even one that is very low or nonexistent. You will certainly be matched with some of the highest rates with a very low score, but these rates may still be better than existing credit card debt, or may be worth it to you in the face of unavoidable medical or home expenses. Typically, you need a score of at least 640 to be matched with decent loans. If your score is very bad, consider trying to find a cosigner to make you more attractive to lenders.

Funding time

LendingTree will provide you with a list of lenders with loans you prequalify for. The time from matching to funding depends on how quickly you get through the lender’s application process, and how quickly they provide funds once the process is complete. Typical wait times are from 24 hours to seven days, although your wait time may be shorter or longer.

Qualifications

LendingTree will match you with companies that offer loans you qualify for, so just put accurate information and you can find a loan no matter your qualifications. You can use LendingTree services nationwide. Your debt to income ratio must be 45% or below to be considered for a loan through one of LendingTree’s lenders.

How much can I borrow with LendingTree?

Lenders working with LendingTree provide loans from $1000 to $35,000. Remember that if you need more you can take out more than one loan at a time.

Loan term options

Loan term and repayment options vary by company. When comparing the companies that LendingTree matches you with, remember to not only think about rates, but also decide if you can pay off loan amounts within the specified time and if the options in repayment are attractive to you.

Mobile app

The LendingTree app lets you see your own credit score, completely for free. It also shows you what open accounts you have so that you can see how these accounts might be affecting your score. You can also use the app to find a loan and see what your options are.

Availability

LendingTree is available nationwide and will only match you with lenders who serve in your area.

Comparison to other online lenders

LendingTree will pull your credit and may affect your credit score, so if you think you qualify for a loan from one of the top lender like SoFi, it may be worthwhile to apply directly with the best lenders you think you qualify with instead of using LendingTree. If, on the other hand, you are unsure what loans you will qualify for, and want to save yourself the legwork, LendingTree can be a great option for you.

Customer support

LendingTree is a huge company that deals with thousands and thousands of short term relationships with customers every day, and their customer support is what you might expect with that model. If you have a problem during your application process with LendingTree, it is likely you will be on your own, although there is a complaint process you can wade through if it is very important to you.

Bottom line

LendingTree is a great option for matching borrowers to several lenders that offer competitive loans to those with mid-level or low credit scores and mediocre financial histories. If you need money now and don’t know what kind of loan you are likely to qualify for, LendingTree is a great place to start.

The post LendingTree Personal Loan Reviews first appeared on Quote Raters.

There are so many factors that will help us to get to the bottom of this answer.  If you are paying too much for car insurance, then it is important for you to compare rates today to lower your insurance premiums. I guarantee that you will be able to save anywhere from 5-30%.

Accident statistics 

Florida is one of the most dangerous states for car insurance. NWI ranked Florida as the #17 most dangerous state for auto accidents. For two years in a row, Florida has been ranked as the states with the worst drivers by Smartasset. It was reported that in 2015 Florida had the 9th highest fatalities rate per 100 million vehicle miles driven. In 2015 there were over 600 motorcyclist and over 600 pedestrian facilities making it one of the deadliest states. In 2013 there were 2,407 deaths reported from car accidents. Slightly over 400 of those deaths were people killed in accidents involving a pickup or SUV.

In 2017, it was reported that Florida had 387,900 total car accidents, 161,218 injury crashes, and over 240,000 injuries. There were over 2700 crashes involving a fatality and over 42,000 commercial vehicle crashes. From 2016 to 2017 there was almost 8000 less auto accidents. Although the accident rate in Florida seems to be declining, Florida is still high in auto accidents. In 2017 every month there was around 33,000 auto accidents. Those more likely to be in an auto accident were those who were 25 to 34 years old. The worst time for accidents in Florida was from 4PM to 5PM. From the reports, we notice a lot of loses in Florida, which means higher insurance premiums.

States that Require PIP Insurance Coverage

15 states in the United States use a no-fault system and require personal injury protection insurance coverage. Florida is one of those states. The other 14 states include Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah. Florida PIP covers the cost of medical, loss of wages, and more.

The cost of PIP will vary for each driver. Things that are taken into consideration is your driving history, vehicle model and year, age, credit, etc. Because this coverage is mandatory in Florida, you will be paying slightly more than other states. PIP might cost you $5 to $20 extra a month on your insurance policy.

High crimes areas will increase insurance rates. 

Florida is among the worst states for car theft in 2017, it was reported that Jacksonville had over 3000 motor vehicle thefts. The second worst Florida city for car thefts was Miami with slightly under 2000. Orlando was the third worst Florida city for car thefts with 1240 motor vehicle thefts. Many people don’t know that where you live affects your car insurance rates. If your zip code shows that you live in a high crime area, your rate might be a little higher because there is a higher chance of a crime being involved with your vehicle. Insurance carriers are preparing themselves just in case your vehicle gets broken into, your car gets stolen, etc. Always remember that vandalism and other crimes play a role in insurance premiums. Not only does crime affect your rates, but if you have a vehicle that is among the top stolen cars, then you might pay slightly more.

Population Density

As I said before, where you live matters. If you live in a state with high congestion there will obviously be a greater chance for auto accidents. Florida is the third most populated state in the U.S. Miami was ranked 5th for the most congested city in the U.S. Areas that are more densely populated are at a higher risk for auto accidents, crime, auto related deaths, etc. All of this results in a higher premium.

Overall reckless behavior on the road

Florida DUIs and tickets statistics also help in causing higher insurance rates. Although DUI’s and tickets in Florida are not as bad as other states, they can still affect rates. Hillsborough County had almost 4500 DUI’s. Pinellas County had 3,155 DUI’s. Broward County had 3,104 DUI’s. If DUI’s and tickets were bad enough, Florida was ranked as the second-worst state for distracted driving. With texting and phone related accidents on the rise, we will also see a rise in insurance rates.

In 2015 it was reported that Florida had the most uninsured drivers with 26.7%. The 2nd highest state after Florida was Mississippi with 23.7%. After Mississippi was New Mexico with 20.8%, Michigan with 20.3%, and Tennessee with 20.0%.

All of the above statistics will increase rates. Insurance carriers will always take a look at the trend. Florida is a high tourist state with many young drivers and senior drivers who have bad driving habits.

Most and least expensive cities for auto insurance. 

Cheapest

The cheapest city in Florida for car insurance is Mayo, FL, which is in Lafayette county. Expect to pay less if you live in nearby cities such as Day, FL.

Most expensive 

The most expensive city for car insurance in Florida is Miami, FL. The only cities in the U.S. that cost more for auto insurance is Detroit, Michigan and New Orleans, Louisiana. The Miami-Dade County area is very expensive compared to other counties in Florida. If you live in cities such as Hialeah, Opa-Locka, Miami, Miami Gardens, and Homestead expect to pay more for insurance.

Best car insurance in Florida 

Two popular insurance carriers in Florida are GEICO and State Farm auto insurance. There is no definitive answer when trying to find the right fit for you. I’ve dealt with many awesome local insurance agents throughout the U.S. You must compare quotes to see which carrier gives you the best auto insurance rates in your area.

Minimum coverage car insurance Florida

Auto insurance is a requirement in Florida. The lowest amount of coverage that you can have is 10,000 personal injury protection and $10,000 property damage liability. Medical payments coverage is not required in the state of Florida. Bodily Injury Liability coverage is only required for some people. If you have been convicted of a DUI, then you must have Bodily Injury Liability. Other insurance coverages that are not required in the state of Florida are Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and collision/comprehensive coverage.

Bottom line  

Auto insurance in Florida is undeniable high because of several reasons. It is high because of high accident statistics, reckless driving behaviors, high crimes rates, PIP coverage, and more. If you live in the state of Florida and you want to cut the monthly cost of auto insurance, then take the time to compare rates now, which can be done in under 2 months.

The post Why Is Car Insurance So Expensive In Florida? first appeared on Quote Raters.

Texas policyholders are able to save 17%. California policyholders are able to save around 15%. Georgia policyholders are able to save a whopping 22%. Washington policyholders are able to save 13.5%. Alabama policyholders are able to 20%. Not only can you save, but with multiple policies your insurer is less likely to drop you and you can end up saving a lot on your deductible.

Bundling insurance policies

The reason that you want to bundle your policies is because this leads to managing your policies easier.

Also, the obvious reason is that you will be able to enjoy discounts from your insurance provider.

GEICO

GEICO allows you to save 5% or more when you insure multiple insurance policies. With GEICO, you can combine your Homeowners, Renters, Condo or Mobile Home policy with your auto insurance to receive a greater discount. What I love about GEICO is that on average GEICO offers cheap monthly auto insurance quotes. GEICO might give you the best quote on this list. On top of an already cheap insurance rate you will be given a truckload of discounts that you may be eligible for. For home and auto insurance you want a company that has the funds to pay your claims.

GEICO received amazing ratings from the top financial analyst companies. GEICO received an “A++” from A.M. Best and Fitch ratings. Also, for the 27th consecutive year in a row GEICO was named to the Ward’s 50 top group of financially high-performing insurers.

State Farm

State Farm allows policyholders to save up to 17% when they bundle policies. With State Farm you can save up to $800 by combining home and auto insurance. I know many people who insure with State Farm. State Farm is willing to work with you while some companies might not. In the J.D. Power insurance rating study State Farm was better than average in both the auto claims part of the study and the homeowners part of the study. State Farm received 4 out of 5 Power Circles for overall satisfaction in the homeowners study, which reveals happy customers. Better Business Bureau helps us to know how a company handles customer complaints. BBB gave State Farm an “A+” rating in their rating system.

Usually people who need home and auto insurance have multiple cars in their household. With Start Farm if you need insurance for more than 1 car you can save up to 20%. State Farm offers additional ways to save with their Drive Safe & Save and Steer Clear program.

Farmers 

Farmers is another insurance company that gives you a 10% discount when you bundle your home and auto policies. Farmers customers are even eligible for a discount if they are a homeowner. Are you a non-smoker? If so, you can easily qualify for a home owners discount with Farmers.

Farmers excels in coverage options.

Accident forgiveness – Farmers offers their customers accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is a great coverage option for drivers under 25 or drivers who are more prone to get into auto accidents. Throughout the world customers all around the world have complained about their premium skyrocketing after an auto accident. With accident forgiveness if you ever get into accident you will not have to worry about your rates going up.

Incident Forgiveness – Some auto insurers will bring your premium up after receiving a situation. With incident forgiveness, you are given peace of mind if you were to ever receive a traffic ticket.

Small Claim Forgiveness – With small claim forgiveness you will not have to worry about rates going up after something as insignificant as a small fender bender.

No Fault, No Foul – Don’t worry about rates going up if someone else caused the accident.

Safeco 

Safeco offers very affordable and competitive insurance rates. In my Safeco vs State Farm auto insurance review customers were actually able to save slightly more with Safeco.

Safeco has a plethora of package deals to help customers save. When you bundle home and auto you can end up saving up to 15%.

If you have a newer home that is less than 10 years old you can easily qualify for their newer home discount.

Another way that you can save with Safeco is by driving less. If your car is usually parked or if you live close to work, then you should think about taking advantage of Safeco’s low mileage discount, which allows drivers to save up to 20%.

Safeco is a member of Liberty Mutual Group. BBB gave Liberty Mutual an “A” grade which shows that Safeco handles customer complaints well. Safeco received an “A” A.M Best rating which shows that they are backed by billions in assets to pay any claims.

Auto-Owners Insurance

Auto-Owners Insurance is one of the highest rated insurance companies on this list. In the J.D. Power auto claims study, Auto-Owners Insurance was the second highest company on the list. AOI received 4 out of 5 Power Circles in overall satisfaction, First Notice of Loss, claim servicing, estimation process, and the settlement process. The only category that AOI did not receive 4 Power Circles in was the rental experience category where they received 5 out of 5 Power Circles.

In the home insurance study, Auto-Owners Insurance was 6th on the list.  AOI received 4 out of 5 Power Circles in overall satisfaction, policy offering, price, billing, and the interaction part of the study. In claims, Auto-Owners Insurance received 3 out of 5 stars.

With Auto-Owners Insurance you are able to get a multi-policy discount when you have multiple qualifying policies.

Here are more ways that you can save with Auto-Owners Insurance.

• Payment history – Paying your premium for 3 years will make you eligible for this discount.
• Advance Quote – Request a premium quote prior to the effective date of the policy to qualify.
• Green Discount –Enroll in paperless billing and pay your policy online to qualify.
• Mortgage-free discount – Have you paid off your mortgage? If so, you will be eligible for AOI’s mortgage-free discount.

Amica Mutual 

Amica Mutual was the highest rated insurance company in both the home and auto J.D. Power claims study. The Amica homeowners insurance service is one of the best in the Unites States.

When it comes to handling your claims, you will not have any problems while using Amica. They have an awesome reputation and they offer various discounts that you can take advantage of such as their multi-line discount. When you combine auto with your home, condo, renters, life or umbrella policies you will be able to save up to 15%.

I love Amica Mutual’s loyalty discount because most of us will easily qualify for it. To qualify for this discount, you have to have had auto insurance with any company for at least 24 months. Another way to save with Amica is if you have burglar alarms, sprinkler systems, or fire alarms installed in your home.

MAPFRE Insurance

MAPFRE is not as well-known as all the other insurance companies on this list, but it did rate well in both J.D. Power insurance studies. MaPFRE also received an A+ rating from BBB. By insuring both your auto and home through MaPFRE, you will be able to receive a discount on both homeowners auto insurance.

Bottom line

This comparison features many awesome companies with great reviews and a load of discounts. I highly recommend that you get a quote to find the best insurance rates in your area.

The post Home And Car Insurance Bundles first appeared on Quote Raters.

There is no denying that young drivers are less experienced, riskier, and get into more accidents than older drivers. This is why premiums are so high for young adults.

However, there are many companies that you can take advantage of today. In this article, I will help you to find the best car insurance for new drivers under 25.

How age affects auto insurance rates?

The younger you are the more expensive your insurance premium will be. When you are in your teens such as 16 -19 years old, you are usually looking at $3000 – $6000 a year on your premium. Always remember that your premium can be cheaper than this.

That is why it is crucial that you compare quotes today! Rates vary depending on your car, state, driving history, discounts, gender, etc. When you turn 20, average rates begin to lower. After 21 you can end up paying hundreds less. Average rates continue to lower as you age, but then they will jump back up at the age of 65.

GEICO

GEICO is among the top Fort Lauderdale insurance companies. I have been using GEICO since I was 19 years old because they always gave me the cheapest insurance premiums in Florida. As a young college student, I needed to save as much as possible. I was paying hundreds less than other insurance companies with one year old car. What I love about GEICO is that you have many discounts available to you.

Defensive Driving Discounts – If you have completed a defensive driver’s course you may be able to save on car insurance. Every state has different rules and qualifications.

Good Student – If you do well in school, then you can end up saving 15% discount on certain coverages.

Organization discount – GEICO offers awesome savings to alumni association members. All that you have to do is search for your college, fraternity, or organization and you can save big. With hundreds of universities and organizations available to you there is a strong chance that you will find your organization. Just to name a few colleges that qualify for a discount, you have Xavier University, West Virginia University, University of Wisconsin, University of Utah, University of North Carolina, Ohio University, Hawaii Pacific University, Princeton University, Purdue University, and more.

Customer loyalty – GEICO offers a multi-car discount like most auto insurers do. This is great if you are on your parent’s policy. Insure multiple cars and save up to 25%.

Liberty Mutual 

Many young drivers have been able to receive a cheaper premium with Liberty Mutual. Liberty Mutual offers many discounts for teens. If you have a child that is over 100 miles away for school, then you are eligible for a Liberty Mutual discount.

Just like with GEICO there is a discount for students, under the age of 25, who maintain a B average.

Alumni and Professional Affiliations – You can save up to 10% on your auto insurance by being a member of the 14,000+ employers and associations that partner with Liberty Mutual.

Accident forgiveness – If you know anything about me, then you know I love accident forgiveness and you should as well. Once again, statistically younger drivers get into more accidents than older drivers. If you have ever been in an accident then you know by now that insurance companies will jack up your premium after your first accident. With Accident forgiveness you don’t have to worry about your premiums going up after an accident even if it’s your fault. This is going to save you a lot in the long run.

Erie Insurance 

Erie Insurance is an American multi-line insurance company that was founded in 1925. Erie is one of the best hidden secrets. It’s not one of the most popular companies such as GEICO or Progressive but Erie does have great reviews and they are known for offering cheap insurance for drivers 20 – 30 years old.

On average 20 year-old females with no accidents can pay thousands less than the national insurance average. If you are under 21 years old, unmarried, and you still live with your parents, then you may qualify for their young driver’s discount.

This discount is not available in North Carolina. Erie also offers a reduced usage discount. Why pay for inactivity? This is perfect if you are not using your car for 90 consecutive days during the policy period.

Nationwide

Nationwide is known for their awesome song. “Nationwide is on your side.” They are also known for having many discounts for young drivers.  If you are under 25 and you are trying to save with Nationwide, then you can save with their anti-theft device discount.

Nationwide is another company that offers accident forgiveness and a good student discount. If you are young and you would like to show off your impressive driving habits, then Nationwide offers a SmartRide program for all ages. You will immediately save when you sign up for the program. You could save up to 40% by driving safe. It’s simple to get started.

Sign up! In about 10 days you will receive a small device, then drive. The amount that will be discounted to you all depends on how well you drive. The device factors in your nighttime driving, miles driven, hard braking, and idle time in traffic. To track your discount all that you have to do is go online. The best thing about this program is that your premium will never increase because of it.

AAA

There are many discounts for being an AAA member that young drivers can take advantage of. If you drive less than 10,000 miles a year, then why are you paying extra for car insurance? One thing that stuck out when I compared AAA to Allstate and many other insurance providers was that AAA offers a reduced mileage discount on top of low premiums.

In addition to their reduced mileage discount AAA also offers a safe driver’s discount. If you have less than 3 points on your license, then you will qualify. Another thing that I love about AAA is that you are given deals for various different companies.

You are given deals for IHop, Bass Pro Shops, AMC, Macys, Papa John’s, PetSmart, Amtrak, Barnes & Noble, Busch Gardens, Champs Sports, Dell, CVS, travel vacations, and more. The only drawback of AAA is that you will have to pay a fee to sign up for AAA.

COUNTRY

COUNTRY Financial offers extremely low rates especially in Oregon and Georgia. If you want to take advantage of your clean driving record, then COUNTRY Financial is a great company to do it with. One thing that we all hate is when our auto insurer jacks up our prices for nothing. COUNTRY increases insurance rates far less than some of the largest insurance providers in the world. Out of a 5-point scale for insurance rates increases COUNTRY receives a 5.0 score.

If you or your fiancé is at least 21 years old, then you can save with their engaged couple discount. If you are a newly licensed driver or if you have a newly licensed child, then you may qualify for up to a 10% discount by completing their Simply Drive course. You can also save 10% with their new vehicle discount. Are you a teacher, firefighter, police officer, or paramedic? If so you can be saving 5 – 10% on auto insurance with COUNTRY.

Additional coverage options with COUNTRY include emergency roadside assistance, vehicle rental and trip interruption, safety glass coverage, personal effects coverage, and The Keeper – new car coverage.

Travelers

Travelers is an old insurance company that was founded by James Goodwin Batterson who was an American designer and builder.

Travelers has been around for almost 200 years and it is perfect for young drivers who are having difficulty finding an affordable insurance quote. With Travelers you can save up to 15% with consistent on time payments.

Their other discounts include multi-policy, multicar, home ownership, safe driver, continuous insurance, hybrid, early quote discounts, and more. There are a plethora of discounts that you can take advantage. Also, Travelers offers a great IntelliDrive Program. IntelliDrive is a great 90-day program where your good driving behavior will be rewarded with up to 20% savings.

Choose the right company

There are many awesome companies on this list. Not only are they awesome because of affordability but they are awesome because of discounts and claim satisfaction. Don’t be afraid to compare quotes today. Compare quotes to see which one offers the cheapest insurance in your state.

The post Best Car Insurance For New Drivers Under 25 first appeared on Quote Raters.

Both companies are major players in the online lending world. We will differentiate reputation, loan rates, features, and more to help you making a comfortable choice for your student loans.

What is LendKey?

Fynanz was founded in 2009 by Vince Passione and Michael Stallmeyer. In 2013, the company changed their name to LendKey. LendKey.com is an online lending platform that allows you to get private student loans, student loan refinancing, and home improvement loans from credit unions and community banks. This will result in low-rate loans. LendKey partners with a plethora of non-profit credit unions and banks such as Everence, McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union, Black Hills Federal Credit Union, WSFS Bank, Generations Bank, and more. Currently, the company has serviced over $1.5 billion loans and has over 68,000 customers.

What is SoFi?

SoFi might be the most popular online lending platform in the nation. SoFi was founded in 2011 and today the company has funded over $30 billion in loans and has over 500,000 members. SoFi specializes in student loan refinancing, but they also offer medical resident refinancing, mortgages
mortgage refinancing, personal loans, parent PLUS refinancing, and more.

Comparing the reputation of both lenders. 

BBB

I love BBB because they give you an idea of how each lender interacts with their customers. Better Business Bureau will help us to know if we should trust a lender or not. The LendKey and SoFi BBB rating is based on several factors including complaints received from the public, the length of time that the lender has been in business, licensing and government actions, and more.

LendKey Technologies, Inc. has had Better Business Bureau accreditation since September of 2012. LendKey has an “A+” BBB rating.

SoFi has an “A+” BBB grade in the BBB rating system as well. These awesome grades mean that both companies are trusted lending solutions according to BBB.

Trustpilot 

With over 1900 reviews SoFi received a 5 out of 5-star excellent Trustpilot rating. SoFi received a TrustScore of 9.2 out of 10. LendKey is not yet rated with Trustpilot.

Student loan refinance rates

LendKey

With LendKey you will be able to receive fixed interest rates for as low as 3.49%. Rates can go up to 8.72%. Variable rates can be as low as 2.47% and as high as 7.99%.

• Fixed: 3.49% – 8.72%
• Variable: 2.47% – 7.99%

SoFi 

With SoFi you will be able to get fixed rates for as low as 3.99% and as high as 7.80%. If you desire variable rates you will be able to get them for as low as 2.48% and as high as 7.52%.

• Fixed: 3.99% – 7.80% APR
• Variable: 2.48% to 7.52% APR

Differences between fixed and variable rates 

Fixed rates are more straightforward compared to variable rates. Many people like fixed rates better because you know your interest rate amount every month. Fixed rates are more predictable.

Variable rates are not as predictable. With variable rates you will be able to get a lower rate. However, depending on the market this could either increase or decrease. You may be able to save a lot if you get variable rates, but there might be a chance that your rates increase.

Bottom line

Both lenders give you low interest rates. LendKey is slightly cheaper, but you may be able to get lower fixed and variable rates with SoFi. LendKey and SoFi both do soft credit checks, so you don’t have to worry about hurting your credit by getting rates.

Fees comparison 

One of the ways that LendKey and SoFi differentiate from lending platforms such as Prosper is that you will not have to worry about prepayment fees or application and origination fees.

With LendKey there will be late fees of $5 – $15.

SoFi offers a grace period of 15 days. Their late fee is 4% of the unpaid bill or $5, whichever is lower.

Features and benefits comparison 

SoFi benefits

• Fast, easy, and all online
• Additional rate discounts on loans
• Unemployment protection – SoFi understands that life happens, which is why they have unemployment protection for their customers. If you ever lose your job, then SoFi will pause your payments and they will even help you to look for a job.
• No hidden fees
• Exclusive career coaching – Includes career transitions, job search, personal branding, and customized support $1000 value.
• Low rates
• Soft credit check
• cosigner option
• Auto pay rate reduction

LendKey benefits

• Lengthy loan forbearance of up to 18 months.
• Reduce your interest rate
• Network of 300+ credit unions and community banks.
• Refinancing calculator
• No Origination Fees
• Flexible Options
• Soft credit check
• cosigner option
• Auto pay rate reduction
• Student loan calculator
  

The loan process

LendKey

LendKey understands that refinancing and consolidating your federal and private student loans can be an overwhelming process. LendKey helps to get your loan funded by a community lender entirely online. The application process is simple, and you will even have loan specialists to guide you through the entire loan process. You will be able to estimate your rates in 2 steps.

SoFi 

SoFi has a desire to help those who are drowning in student loan debts. SoFi refinances your old private and federal loans into a new loan that helps you to save money. All that you have to do is enter basic information such as where you work and you will be able to see how much you can save. The customer care team can be contacted through the chat now button on the lower right-hand side of the screen. You will be able to get rates in two minutes.

Credit score requirement 

SoFi 

Qualified borrowers with credit scores of at least 650 can be approved for refinancing. The average SoFi borrower has a credit score that exceeds 700. With SoFi you don’t need to have credit history, but you do need to show that you can make payments. The average SoFi borrower makes around $100,000.

LendKey 

With LendKey you need a credit score of at least 660. Average LendKey borrowers have a credit score that is around 750. Approved borrowers make around 63K a year on average.

How much can I borrow?

LendKey

The minimum amount that you will be able to borrow from LendKey is $5,000.

You can borrow up to $125,000 for undergraduate degrees. For graduate degrees you will be able to borrow up to $250,000. For medical, dental or veterinary degrees you will be able to borrow up to $300,000.

SoFi

SoFi allows you to borrow anywhere from $5000 up to the full loan balance

Loan term options

There are several loan terms to choose from with both lending platforms.

Both 5, 7, 10, 15 and 20-year loan terms.

Availability comparison 

The great thing about SoFi is that it is available in all states. LendKey is available in 46 states and Washington, DC. LendKey is not available in Maine, North Dakota, Nevada, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

Estimated funding time comparison

On average, both lending platforms will fund your loans within 1 to 7 days of being approved.

Support comparison 

LendKey 

LendKey offers a blog, a resource center, a FAQ page, and guides to help you to learn more about student loan refinancing. You can contact LendKey by phone from Monday through Friday from 9am to 8pm EST.

SoFi 

SoFi is similar to LendKey. They offer blog articles, a FAQ page, and a resource center. SoFi also offers career coaching, community events, and various programs. You can contact their phone support from Monday – Thursday from 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM and  Friday – Sunday from 4:00 AM – 5:00 PM PT.

Which lending platform is better?

Both lenders have benefits about them. With LendKey you might be able to get more affordable rates. With SoFi there is a slightly lower credit score requirement, there are more features, and you might be able to get lower rates if you select longer terms. I strongly recommend that you get rates today!

The post LendKey Vs SoFi first appeared on Quote Raters.

Ebates is the older company and its reputation for paying what and when it should is quite good. Ebates pays what it should and offers good customers service.

BeFrugal is newer than Ebates and its ratings aren’t quite as good on BBB and Trustpilot, but many users prefer them anyways due to an intuitive app.

Both companies are free to join, but Ebates takes it one step further by actually paying you to join. BeFrugal will pay you to join too, but only if you join during a promotional period. Both companies pay you to refer your friends, and both provide options for shopping online or at brick and mortar companies.

These are straightforward cashback sites. They don’t reward you for performing tasks, but you can get extra savings from both by utilizing coupons.

What are cashback sites?

Like many websites and blogs, cashback sites make their money through affiliate links. When you click the link and buy a product, a cookie tells the merchant and the merchant pays the website or blog owner.

Unlike most sites, which keep the money, cashback sites share their commission with the person who made the purchase. Some cashback sites pay a set amount per purchase, while others, like BeFrugal and Ebates, pay a predetermined percentage. The percentage is set by the merchant and by the cashback site. Most of the time the percentages are quite small, perhaps four or five percent, but other times percentages can be quite high, as high as 20 or 30%.

Why would it be worth it for a merchant to pay so much? Lesser known merchants who may be struggling with marketing consider the percentage a small price to pay for a sale and a potential good review to motivate more sales. When you consider the costs of marketing for a smaller company, 20% of the purchase price may not seem like so much for a sure sale. After all, the merchant doesn’t have to pay until a purchase is made.

How does BeFrugal work?

Like other cashback sites, BeFrugal works by paying you to shop through their site or app. You simply log in to your account and scan the retailers and their cash back deals until you find a product and deal that appeals to you. Click “shop now” and you’ll be taken to the retailer’s website, where you complete the purchase. Cookies tell the website that you have come from BeFrugal so that you will receive the cash back in your BeFrugal account.

Join BeFrugal here today for free!

How does Ebates work?

Ebates isn’t different from other cashback sites. Ebates similar to Ibotta earns money by receiving commissions from retailers and motivate shoppers to use their site by paying shoppers a percentage of that commission. Every three months you, the shopper, get the bonuses paid out to you in cold hard cash.

You can also sign up for a Visa card through Ebates which will give you 3% back on qualifying purchases and 1% on everything else, in addition to the money you are paid for purchasing products through Ebates.

Just like TopCashback there is a browser extension available through Ebates to make shopping and getting cash back easier. You can also use the intuitive app or link offers to your credit card so that shopping through Ebates is as easy as shopping normally.

Reputation and reviews comparison

Ebates has been in business for a long time and has an excellent reputation, but BeFrugal gets great reviews as well. Both Ebates and BeFrugal have an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau. Ebates had slightly better customer review ratings, with an average 4 ½ stars from 326 reviews, while BeFrugal received a three-star rating from 65 reviews.

On Trustpilot, Ebates had excellent reviews from 87% of the 825 reviewers, while 5% thought they are a great company and only 5% gave a bad report. A few users reported Ebates not paying out on earned cash back, but these reports are very rare. 81% of 149 users thought BeFrugal was excellent and 12% thought it was a bad company, which aren’t as good of ratings as Ebates had. Some users found the customers service offered by BeFrugal to be lacking in initiative when resolving issues with payment from merchants.

Features and benefits of each company

40% cashbacks are meaningful savings offered by Ebates. Not many deals will be this good, but even the possibility of finding something you want to buy and getting back 40% makes Ebates very attractive. Coupons are offered by Ebates as well, providing another way to save. You can use the app, web browser, or link your card so you can make in-store purchases.

BeFrugal has lots of stores and highly variable deals, with some percentages getting quite high, and they pay out more frequently. BeFrugal has a very intuitive app, as well as an easy to use browser and the capacity to earn cash back at brick and mortar stores as well.

What stores are on Ebates?

Ebates has over 2000 participating stores, including many stores that sell a wide range of goods, including Walmart and JC Penny. Ebates doesn’t have quite as many stores available as some competing Cashback sites. However, they do have many popular stores available such as Footlocker, Bealls, Vitacost, Holiday Inn, Amazon, Etsy, Overstock, Nike, Kohl’s, Walmart, and more.

Get $10 by joining Ebates today for free!

What stores are on BeFrugal?

BeFrugal has a vast network of stores, over 5000 online and brick and mortar. Choices include popular clothing stores like Abercrombie, and general stores like Walmart, at which you can get 6% back. Other great options are Home Depot, where you can get up to 10% cash back, and Bed Bath & Beyond with 6%. Remember that these percentages adjust constantly, so keep checking to get the best deals at your favorite stores.

Start BeFrugal here!

How much can you earn?

With any Cashback site, including BeFrugal and Ebates, you can only earn a fraction of what you spend. The more you spend, the more you earn. If you are buying things that you would buy anyways, the savings can be significant. Some very dedicated cashback users who find the best deals and pair cashback savings with coupons, and who spend a lot, can earn $1000 or more a year, while the casual user is more likely to earn in the $100s.

The cost

Ebates and BeFrugal are both free to join. Ebates takes it one step further by actually paying you to sign up with a $10 welcome bonus as long as you spend $25 on their site in the first 90 days. With BeFrugal, it is worth waiting for a promotional period, since you can get a cash bonus during these times.

Refer a friend bonus

Both BeFrugal and Ebates reward you for referring your friends. That makes sense, since the more people use them, the more they make. BeFrugal pays $10 for every friend that you refer if your friend signs up during the period and makes a qualified purchase within the time determined.

Ebates pays a different amount for referring friends depending on the current promotional period, so check out their promotion and then refer a friend.

Customer Support

Ebates has a good reputation for customer service from the BBB, Trustpilot, and other reviews. In the rare occasion that something goes wrong and you actually need to talk to a person, it seems that Ebates makes sure that there is someone available and that they will follow through on your complaint. There are a few reports that Ebates didn’t pay out on legitimate claims and then deleted the account, but these reports are quite rare.

Join Ebates today!

BeFrugal has slightly more complaints about not being paid out what they were owed, especially for large purchases. Some people found that the shopping trip was not registered properly, and that customer service was unhelpful in solving the problem. It seems that many users find they lack initiative in solving customer complaints. Many other users seem very happy with the customer service offered by BeFrugal, however.

Join BeFrugal today!

Bottom line

Both companies are great and although BeFrugal offers more stores, Ebates has a better payout rating. I found it easier to get your cashback on time with Ebates. This is one of the reasons that Ebates has better reviews.

The post BeFrugal Vs Ebates first appeared on Quote Raters.

In this GEICO Vs Farmers comparison, we will take a look at features, insurance rates, mobile benefits, ease of use, and more. Make sure that you start a quote today to compare rates to help you save over 25% on car insurance.

Let’s learn a little information about both companies. 

GEICO was founded in Fort Worth Texas in 1936 by Leo Goodwin Sr. and his wife Lillian Goodwin. Today GEICO is the second largest auto insurer in the U.S.

Farmers Insurance Group was founded in 1928 in Los Angelous California by Thomas E. Leavey. Today Farmers is a leading U.S. insurer group of automobiles.

Auto insurance rates comparison 

If we’re honest with ourselves, the car insurance price is a huge factor in our car insurance decision. For me pricing is what I cared about most in my car insurance plan. As a safe driver I did not want to purchase expensive car insurance.

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GEICO offers the cheapest monthly car insurance rates in the United states. GEICO is far cheaper than Farmers. You will actually save over $100 a year with GEICO insurance. In fact, new customers report an average annual savings of over $500. I currently have GEICO insurance for a financed car and I’m paying 30% less than what I would with other car insurance companies.

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Farmers is cheap as well, but when it comes to pricing there is really no comparison.

Which company offers more car insurance discounts?

Who doesn’t love to save a little money? GEICO offers more discounts to help you save money on car insurance. Below I will showcase the discounts that you can be using with each company.

With Farmers depending on the state that you live in, you may be eligible for some auto insurance discounts. However, compared to other major insurance companies, Farmers falls extremely short in the discount options category. There is just not a lot to choose from. If you don’t care about discounts, then it doesn’t matter but if you do, then it might be a problem for you.

Here are the discounts that Farmers has to offer.

Distant student discounts – Do you have a child who is away at school over 100 miles from your home? If so, then you might qualify for this car insurance discount.

Homeowners discounts – If you own your home, then you can save on Farmers homeowner discount.

Homeowners discounts – Seniors and experienced drivers can start saving on car insurance today.

Safety discounts – Does you car have anti-lock brakes, restraint systems, etc. If so you can easily save money.

Here is what GEICO offers their customers 

Air bags discount – With GEICO you can save 40% with full-front seat air bags.

Anti-lock braking system – This allows for a 5% discount on the collision part of your insurance premium.

Anti-Theft discount – Does your car have a built-in Anti-theft system? If so, then great news! This can save you up to 25% on part of your premium.

Daytime Running Lights discount – Although it’s not much, every penny counts. Save 1% on certain car insurance coverages.

Driving History & habits discount – If you have had a clean driving record for the past 5 years like I have, why not take advantage of their driver history discount? Start today and save over 25% on most coverages.

Drivers education discount – With GEICO you or your child maybe able to receive discounts for driver ed courses.

Multi-Car discount – When you insure multiple cars with GEICO you can save up to 25% on your car insurance.

Military discount – GEICO offers awesome discounts to service men/women. Whether you are active or retired you can save up to 15% on car insurance.

Availability comparison  

GEICO is one of the few car insurance companies that is available is all 50 states.  With Farmers, products & features may not be available in all states. Depending on what state that you live in it may be hard for you to get insurance.

Website navigation and ease of use.

Both websites make it easy to find what you are looking for. However, when looking at both you will notice that GEICO offers the more beginner friendly website. GEICO makes it easy for you to start an auto quote. GEICO pops out more and everything is right in front of your face. If you look under the zip code box you will see other insurance products that you can select such as homeowners, renters, condo, motorcycle & ATV, boat, and more.

Once again, Farmers is easy to navigate through as well. With Farmers you are given a drop-down menu where you are easily able to select a type of insurance such as auto, home, life, business, condo, and renter’s insurance. For faster search, go to their search icon on the top right menu.

Locations served 

GEICO insurance is available in all states. Whether you need an auto insurance provider in Florida, California, North Carolina etc. you will have no problem being insured. Although Farmers is available in most states it is not available in all states.

Mobile features

GEICO offers many awesome mobile features to make the lives of their customers easier.

As we progress in society we are becoming more and more technology based.  It’s awesome to be able to pull your info up on your phone in a drop of a hat. GEICO Mobile allows for easy insurance ID card access for iOS and Android users. This is great for those who don’t want to worry about losing pesky papers.

Easy Estimate – This feature allows you to take pictures of minor damages for a quick GEICO inspection and estimate process.

Gas Finder – This awesome feature allows you to find the cheapest gas station near you

Virtual Assistant – GEICO customers are given Kate. Kate is GEICO Mobile’s new 24/7 virtual assistant. You can talk or text with Kate to inquire about billing info, coverages, etc. The more questions that Kate answers, the smarter she grows. With Kate you will immediately be given the right answer or she will lead you to the right place.

GEICO offers many more mobile features such as GEICO destinations, smart watch, accident assistance, vehicle care, and more.

The Farmers mobile app allows for quick and easy access to your insurance. You are easily able to view and update your account information. You are able to manage your payment methods, pay your bill and enroll in auto pay, report a claim, view your ID cards,  stay connected to your agent and more.

Popularity comparison 

The popularity comparison matters because it reveals what most people are choosing. During the second half of 2016, GEICO’s growth accelerated dramatically. GEICO easily blew by Allstate. Not only is GEICO a larger company, but “GEICO Car insurance” receives 10K – 100K average monthly searches in Google. Farmers car insurance receives 1K – 10K average monthly searches, which means more people are interested in GEICO.

Which is the better car insurance provider?

Both companies are great companies that offer competitive rates, but it is clear that GEICO is a better overall car insurance choice. You are going to be saving money with their discounts and their cheaper quotes. GEICO customers are given more features, better claims, and more support options available to them.

The post GEICO Vs Farmers first appeared on Quote Raters.