How to Pay Your Credit Acceptance Car Loan Online and by Mail
Credit Acceptance Bill Pay: The Basics
Credit Acceptance is a subprime auto lender—they finance people with poor or no credit history. If you have a loan through them, you can pay your bill online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a Credit Acceptance office. The method you choose affects when the payment posts to your account and what proof you have that it went through.
Credit Acceptance does not use the standard bill-pay systems that banks and credit unions offer. You cannot set up automatic payments through your own bank's bill-pay feature and have them route to Credit Acceptance. Instead, you pay Credit Acceptance directly through their own payment portal, or you mail a check, or you call their payment line.
Your loan agreement spells out the due date and the amount due each month. If you miss a payment, Credit Acceptance reports it to the credit bureaus and may charge a late fee. If you fall far enough behind, they can repossess your vehicle. Knowing your payment options and making payments on time protects both your credit and your car.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay Credit Acceptance online through their website, by phone at their customer service line, by mailing a check to their payment address, or in person at a Credit Acceptance office.
- Online and phone payments usually post within one to two business days; mailed checks take seven to ten business days depending on mail speed and processing time.
- Credit Acceptance charges a late fee if your payment arrives after the due date shown on your bill, and late payments damage your credit score.
- Automatic recurring payments are not available through Credit Acceptance's system, so you must initiate each payment yourself or set a personal reminder.
- Keep proof of every payment—a confirmation number from online or phone payments, or a cancelled check or receipt if you pay by mail.
Paying Online Through Credit Acceptance's Website
Log in to your Credit Acceptance account at creditacceptance.com using your username and password. If you do not have an online account, you can create one by entering your loan number and other identifying information. Once logged in, look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" button, usually on the dashboard or account summary page.
Enter the amount you want to pay. You can pay the full monthly amount, pay more than the minimum to reduce interest, or pay less if you are in a hardship situation (though this may trigger late fees or other consequences—check your loan agreement). Choose your payment method: debit card, credit card, or bank account (ACH transfer). Debit and credit card payments may carry a convenience fee; ACH transfers typically do not.
Review the payment details, including the amount, the date it will post, and any fees. Click "Confirm" or "Submit." You will receive a confirmation number on screen and usually via email. Save this confirmation number—it is your proof that the payment was sent. The payment typically posts to your account within one to two business days.
Paying by Phone
Call Credit Acceptance's customer service line at 1-800-522-1797 (the number may vary by state; check your bill or their website for your region). Have your loan number, the amount you want to pay, and your payment method ready. A representative will walk you through the payment process over the phone.
You can pay by debit card, credit card, or bank account. As with online payments, card payments may include a convenience fee. The representative will give you a confirmation number when the payment is submitted. Write down this number and the date and time you called. Phone payments also typically post within one to two business days.
Calling is useful if you have questions about your account, your due date, or whether a previous payment has posted. It is also slower than online payment if you are in a hurry, because you have to wait for a representative to become available.
Paying by Mail
Write a check for the amount due and include a payment stub from your bill if Credit Acceptance sends one. If there is no stub, write your loan number on the check itself so the payment can be matched to your account. Mail the check to the address shown on your bill—this address is usually different from Credit Acceptance's main office and is specifically for payments.
Mail payments take longer to post than online or phone payments. A check mailed on a Monday might not arrive until Thursday or Friday, and then Credit Acceptance's processing team needs time to open mail, scan the check, and post it to your account. Plan for seven to ten business days from the date you mail it. If your due date is coming up, do not rely on mail—use online or phone payment instead.
Keep a copy of the cancelled check or ask your bank to provide a copy. This is your proof that you paid. If Credit Acceptance ever claims they did not receive a payment, the cancelled check shows when it cleared your bank account and can help resolve the dispute.
Paying in Person at a Credit Acceptance Office
Credit Acceptance has offices in many states. You can find the nearest one by visiting their website or calling customer service. Walk in during business hours with cash, a check, or a debit card. A staff member will process your payment and give you a receipt on the spot.
In-person payments post immediately or within one business day. This method is useful if you prefer to hand over payment in person, if you do not have online access, or if you want to ask questions about your account face-to-face. However, it requires you to travel to an office, which is not practical for everyone.
What Happens If You Miss a Payment
If your payment does not arrive by the due date on your bill, Credit Acceptance will charge a late fee. The amount varies by state and loan agreement, but it is typically a percentage of your monthly payment or a flat fee. Late fees add to what you owe and increase your total loan cost.
More importantly, a late payment is reported to the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and stays on your credit report for seven years. This damages your credit score and makes it harder to borrow money in the future. If you are more than 30 days late, the damage is significant. If you fall 60 or 90 days behind, Credit Acceptance may begin repossession proceedings.
If you know you cannot make a payment on time, contact Credit Acceptance before the due date. Some lenders offer hardship programs, payment deferrals, or loan modifications that can lower your payment temporarily. Calling ahead is always better than missing a payment and dealing with the consequences afterward.
Keeping Track of Payments and Proof
Create a simple system to track when each payment is due and when you have paid it. Write the due date on a calendar, set a phone reminder a few days before, or use a spreadsheet. Note the date you made the payment, the method (online, phone, mail, in person), the amount, and the confirmation number or receipt number.
Save all confirmation numbers from online and phone payments. Take photos of receipts from in-person payments. Keep copies of cancelled checks if you pay by mail. If a payment goes missing or Credit Acceptance claims they never received it, you will have proof that you sent it. This documentation also helps if you ever need to dispute a late fee or report an error on your account.
Log into your Credit Acceptance account online regularly to verify that payments have posted. If a payment you made two weeks ago still shows as pending, contact customer service to find out why. It is easier to resolve payment issues quickly than to let them pile up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up automatic payments so I do not have to pay every month?
Credit Acceptance does not offer automatic recurring payments through their system. You must initiate each payment yourself. However, you can set a personal reminder on your phone or calendar for a few days before the due date, which makes it easier to remember to pay on time.
What if I pay online but the payment does not show up in my account?
Online and phone payments usually post within one to two business days. If it has been longer than that, log into your account and check the payment status, or call customer service with your confirmation number. They can tell you whether the payment is still processing or if there was an error. Do not assume it did not go through—confirmation numbers are proof that it was submitted.
Can I pay my Credit Acceptance loan through my bank's bill-pay system?
No. Credit Acceptance does not participate in standard bank bill-pay networks. If you try to set up a bill-pay payment through your bank to Credit Acceptance, it will not reach them. You must pay through Credit Acceptance's own website, phone line, mail, or in person.
What if I want to pay more than the minimum to pay off the loan faster?
You can pay any amount over the minimum through any payment method—online, phone, mail, or in person. Paying extra reduces the principal balance and saves you money on interest over the life of the loan. Make sure the extra payment is applied to the principal and not held as a credit for future months; contact Credit Acceptance to confirm how they handle overpayments.
Is there a fee to pay my Credit Acceptance loan?
Online and phone payments made by debit card or credit card may include a convenience fee, usually a small percentage of the payment amount. Payments made by bank account (ACH) or by mail typically have no fee. In-person payments and phone payments made by bank account are usually free. Check your bill or ask customer service what fees apply to your preferred payment method.