Emergency loans
Sort the emergency by the clock, not the dollar.
The right move for a shutoff notice tonight is different from the right move for a crown next month, even at the same price. Find your situation in the column that matches how fast the money has to move. Every card leads to a page that starts with the free routes first.
Call the utility first: most will set a plan and hold the disconnect.
The car you drive to work$300–$2,500InstallmentPrice the downtime, not just the repair.
Emergency vet visit$500–$3,000InstallmentAsk about a deposit now and the rest at discharge.
Four doors to try before a loan; most bills shrink at one of them.
Water heater, furnace, fridge$400–$3,000InstallmentFix or replace? The 50% rule decides in a minute.
Funeral deposit$1,000–$5,000Personal or installmentFuneral homes must give itemized prices by law (FTC Funeral Rule).
Build the budget line by line; most people over-borrow by a month's rent.
A tax bill$500–$5,000PersonalIRS payment plans cost less than any loan here; check first.
Cards at 25–30%$2,000–$5,000PersonalOnly worth it at a lower rate than the cards.
Typical U.S. costs, 2026. Loan type is the usual fit; your offer depends on income, state and credit. $200–$5,000, soft check, $0 to apply. Representative example: $2,500 over 12 months at 35.99% APR is $251.14 a month, $3,013.71 total. Your offer shows your rate before you sign.
How fast each step actually is.
From the first click to money you can spend. The blue part is the part you control.
Amount, income, the account to link. No documents up front.
Soft inquiry. APR, payment, total and dates on screen.
E-sign, then a quick call or stub request for larger amounts. Answer the phone.
Before the ACH cutoff → today. After → next business day. The board
Online banks and credit unions post fast; some large banks hold to end of day.
Which loan shape fits which emergency.
The amount is only half of it. How long the bill takes to absorb decides the product, and the product decides the cost.
| If the bill is… | Shape | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under $150 | Not a loan | Fee-free app, employer advance, or two weeks from the biller. Ranked |
| $200–$800 and smaller than one paycheck | Short-term, one payday | $15 per $100, done in two weeks, no rollover. Short-term |
| $500–$2,500 you can't absorb in one check | Installment, 6–12 months | $184.59 a month on $1,000 over 6 months; interest stops when you pay it off. Installment |
| $2,000–$5,000 with fair-to-good credit | Personal, 12–24 months | From 5.99% APR; the shape for consolidation and planned bills. Personal |
| Recurring, every month | Not a loan | A loan patches a one-off. A monthly shortfall needs the budget, not the lender. Responsible lending |
Emergency loan
questions
More in the full FAQ.