Best of
6 Emergency Loans for Bad Credit: Where to Get a Fast Loan
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Emergency loans provide fast cash for unexpected expenses, like urgent car repairs or medical bills.
Summary of Emergency Loans for Bad Credit: Where to Get a Fast Loan
Lender | Best For | Est. APR | Min. Credit Score | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
Upstart on Upstart's website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 5.67 - 35.99% | 620 | on Upstart's website |
Upgrade on Upgrade's website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 6.98 - 35.89% | 600 | on Upgrade's website |
Avant on Avant's website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 9.95 - 35.99% | 580 | on Avant's website |
OneMain Financial on OneMain Financial's website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 18.00 - 35.99% | None | on OneMain Financial's website |
![]() Capital Good Fund See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 10.00 - 24.00% | None | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website |
![]() Oportun See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 20.00 - 67.00% | None | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website |
Lender | Best For | Est. APR | Min. Credit Score | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
Upstart on Upstart's website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 5.67 - 35.99% | 620 | on Upstart's website |
Upgrade on Upgrade's website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 6.98 - 35.89% | 600 | on Upgrade's website |
Avant on Avant's website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 9.95 - 35.99% | 580 | on Avant's website |
OneMain Financial on OneMain Financial's website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 18.00 - 35.99% | None | on OneMain Financial's website |
![]() Capital Good Fund See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 10.00 - 24.00% | None | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website |
![]() Oportun See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website | Emergency loans for bad credit | 20.00 - 67.00% | None | See my rates on NerdWallet's secure website |
Our picks for
Emergency loans for bad credit
on Upstart's website
Upstart

Min. Credit Score
Est. APR
Loan Amount
on Upstart's website
on Upgrade's website
Upgrade

Min. Credit Score
Est. APR
Loan Amount
on Upgrade's website
on Avant's website
Avant

Min. Credit Score
Est. APR
Loan Amount
on Avant's website
on OneMain Financial's website
OneMain Financial

Min. Credit Score
Est. APR
Loan Amount
on OneMain Financial's website

on NerdWallet's secure website
Capital Good Fund
Not yet rated

Min. Credit Score
Est. APR
Loan Amount
on NerdWallet's secure website

on NerdWallet's secure website
Oportun
Not yet rated

Min. Credit Score
Est. APR
Loan Amount
on NerdWallet's secure website
» MORE: Personal loans for bad credit
Credit union loans for emergencies
You can also get emergency loans from a local credit union. These not-for-profit lenders are often good options for borrowers with bad credit because they consider your entire financial picture — not just your credit — and may provide lower rates and terms. Some offer short-term payday alternative loans in amounts up to $2,000.
Becoming a credit union member typically requires you to live, work or study in a particular area, or be associated with a particular group. You'll need to purchase a share in the credit union to open an account ($5 to $25).
Some institutions that offer credit union loan options include Navy Federal Credit Union and First Tech Federal Credit Union.
» MORE: NerdWallet's picks for best credit unions
How to choose an emergency loan
Funding speed: If your situation is urgent, quickly getting a loan may be your priority. Typical funding times are two to seven days, and online lenders often disclose how long it takes, so you’ll know what to expect before applying.
Gather the required documents — such as W-2s, pay stubs and bank account statements — before you apply for a loan, and promptly answer the lender's questions to speed up the loan process.
Loan costs: Speed may seem more important than loan cost, but it’s still a good idea to compare fees and annual percentage rates from multiple lenders. The loan with the lowest APR is the cheapest and usually the best choice, as long as the monthly payments are affordable.
Use a personal loan calculator to determine your total interest costs and monthly payments on the new loan.
Lender features: In addition to the loan costs, consider payment options and other features. Some lenders let you choose your payment due date, forgive late fees or allow you to skip a payment if necessary during loan repayment. Lenders may also provide financial education opportunities.
» MORE: 4 steps to pre-qualify for a personal loan
Emergency loan alternatives
Cheaper alternatives to borrowing are not always fast or convenient, and sometimes they require asking for help. But NerdWallet strongly recommends exhausting alternatives first, even in an emergency. Here are some possible alternatives to an emergency loan.
- Get help from local nonprofits, charities and religious organizations.
- Explore options to pay off medical bills, like a payment plan or income-driven hardship plan.
- Ask your employer for an emergency loan or a paycheck advance.
- If you are comfortable with it, ask family and friends for a loan through lending circles or a loan agreement.
Build an emergency fund
Once your emergency passes, do what you can to build an emergency fund that can help you avoid taking high-cost loans in the future.
Most financial experts recommend saving between three and six months’ worth of living expenses. If that seems like a lot, start small with savings of $10 to $20 per week. Set a goal to save at least $500, which can usually cover small emergency expenses like minor car repairs.
Last updated on December 4, 2019
Methodology
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Emergency Loans for Bad Credit: Where to Get a Fast Loan
- Upstart: Best for Emergency loans for bad credit
- Upgrade: Best for Emergency loans for bad credit
- Avant: Best for Emergency loans for bad credit
- OneMain Financial : Best for Emergency loans for bad credit
- Capital Good Fund: Best for Emergency loans for bad credit
- Oportun : Best for Emergency loans for bad credit