How Regional Acceptance Car Payments Work and What to Expect
What Regional Acceptance Is and How Their Payment System Works
Regional Acceptance Corporation is a finance company that buys car loans from dealerships and services them—meaning they collect your monthly payments and handle account issues. You do not deal with Regional Acceptance at the point of sale; instead, the dealership sells your loan to them after you sign the paperwork. Once that happens, your payment coupon or online account will show Regional Acceptance as the lender, and that is where your money goes each month.
Regional Acceptance operates in multiple states but not all of them. They typically work with used-car dealerships and buy loans for vehicles that are already on the road. The company handles the full loan lifecycle: they send you payment notices, process your monthly payment through ACH (automatic bank transfer) or check, track your account balance, and manage what happens if you fall behind.
Your payment obligation to Regional Acceptance is the same as it would be to any other lender—you owe the full amount on the schedule you agreed to at the dealership. The only difference is who collects it and who you contact if something changes.
Key Takeaways
- Regional Acceptance buys your loan from the dealership after you purchase the car, so you will receive payment instructions from them, not the dealer.
- You can pay by ACH transfer, check, or online through their website or phone line, and your payment due date does not change when the loan transfers.
- If you miss a payment, Regional Acceptance will contact you directly, and late fees and credit damage begin immediately—contact them before the due date if you cannot pay.
- Your loan contract with the dealership determines whether Regional Acceptance can repossess the vehicle; they follow the terms you signed, not their own rules.
- You can request a payment deferment, modification, or hardship plan by calling Regional Acceptance directly, though approval depends on your account history and current situation.
How to Make Your Regional Acceptance Payment
Regional Acceptance accepts payments through three main channels: online through their website or mobile app, by phone, or by mailing a check. When you receive your first notice from them, it will include your account number, the due date, and the payment amount. That due date stays the same throughout the life of the loan unless you negotiate a change.
If you set up automatic ACH payments, the money withdraws from your bank account on the date you choose—usually a few days before the due date to ensure it clears. You can manage this through their website or by calling their customer service line. Paying online or by phone usually posts to your account within one business day; mailed checks take longer and should be sent at least ten days before the due date to arrive on time.
Keep your payment confirmation or receipt, especially if you pay by check or phone. If there is ever a dispute about whether a payment was received, you will need proof of the transaction date and amount.
What Happens If You Miss a Payment or Fall Behind
Regional Acceptance charges a late fee if your payment does not arrive by the due date. The amount varies by state and by your loan contract, but it is typically a percentage of your monthly payment or a flat fee—check your loan documents or call them to find the exact amount. Late fees are added to your balance, which means you owe more than your original payment the next month.
After one missed payment, Regional Acceptance will send you a notice and may call you. After two or three missed payments (the exact number depends on your contract), they can begin repossession proceedings. This means they can send someone to take the car back without warning, though most states require them to send a written notice first. Once the car is repossessed, you still owe the remaining loan balance plus repossession costs and storage fees—the sale of the car at auction rarely covers what you owe.
If you know you cannot make a payment, call Regional Acceptance before the due date. Many borrowers assume they will be turned down, but the company often has options: a one-time deferment (pushing one payment to the end of the loan), a loan modification (changing the payment amount or term), or a hardship plan (temporarily lowering payments). These are not may provide, but they are worth asking about, and they are better than missing a payment and damaging your credit.
Understanding Your Loan Terms and What You Owe
Your loan contract—the document you signed at the dealership—sets the terms that Regional Acceptance must follow. This includes the interest rate, the monthly payment amount, the total number of payments, and the conditions under which they can repossess the car. Regional Acceptance does not change these terms on their own; they service the loan as written.
The interest rate you received depends on your credit score, income, and the dealership's lending practices at the time of purchase. If you were told you had a certain rate, that rate is locked in for the life of the loan unless you refinance with a different lender. Regional Acceptance cannot raise your rate or change your payment amount without your consent, except to add late fees or other charges spelled out in your original contract.
If you believe there is an error in your account—a payment that was not credited, a fee that should not be there, or a balance that does not match your records—you can dispute it with Regional Acceptance in writing. Send a letter to their dispute department (the address will be on your statement) with copies of your proof. They must investigate and respond within a set timeframe, usually 30 days.
Refinancing or Paying Off Your Regional Acceptance Loan Early
You can pay off your Regional Acceptance loan at any time without penalty. Call them and ask for a payoff quote—this is the exact amount you owe on that specific date, including any accrued interest. Once you know the payoff amount, you can arrange to pay it in full through a bank transfer, cashier's check, or wire transfer.
Many borrowers refinance their Regional Acceptance loan with a bank, credit union, or online lender to get a lower interest rate. To do this, you apply for a new loan with the new lender, they send the payoff amount directly to Regional Acceptance, and your old loan is closed. This works only if the new lender's rate is lower than what you are currently paying and the new loan terms save you money overall.
Before refinancing, check your credit report to see what Regional Acceptance has reported about your account. If you have made all payments on time, this should help your credit score. If you have missed payments or have a high balance, refinancing may be harder or more expensive because lenders see you as higher risk.
Contacting Regional Acceptance and Resolving Account Issues
Regional Acceptance customer service can be reached by phone, mail, or through their website. Your payment coupon or statement will list the phone number and mailing address. When you call, have your account number ready—it appears on every notice they send you. Phone lines are usually open during business hours, Monday through Friday, and some locations offer weekend hours.
If you need to dispute a charge, request a payment plan, or ask about your account status, phone is usually faster than mail. However, if you are making a formal dispute or complaint, send it in writing so there is a record. Keep copies of everything you send and note the date and time of any phone calls, including the name of the person you spoke with.
If you have a complaint about Regional Acceptance that they do not resolve, you can file a complaint with your state's attorney general or with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). These agencies investigate complaints about lending practices and can sometimes push companies to fix errors or refund fees.
How Regional Acceptance Affects Your Credit
Regional Acceptance reports your payment history to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. On-time payments build your credit score; missed payments damage it. A single late payment can lower your score by 50 to 100 points depending on how late it is and your overall credit profile. Multiple missed payments or a repossession can keep your score low for years.
If you are behind on your Regional Acceptance loan, paying it current will stop further damage but will not erase the late payments already reported. Those remain on your credit report for seven years from the date of the first missed payment. However, the impact on your score lessens over time, especially if you make all future payments on time.
If Regional Acceptance repossesses your car, that repossession is reported to the credit bureaus and stays on your report for seven years. It is one of the most damaging items a lender can report, so avoiding repossession should be a priority if you are struggling with payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Regional Acceptance repossess my car without warning?
Most states require a written notice before repossession, but the notice can come just days before they take the car. The exact rules depend on your state and your loan contract. Once they have the legal right to repossess (usually after two or three missed payments), they can do it without calling you first. If you receive a repossession notice, contact Regional Acceptance immediately to discuss payment options.
What if I want to return the car to Regional Acceptance?
You can surrender the car voluntarily, but you still owe the remaining loan balance. Regional Acceptance will sell the car at auction, and whatever it sells for is subtracted from what you owe. If the sale does not cover the full balance, you owe the difference (called a deficiency). Voluntary surrender is sometimes better than repossession because it may cost less and look slightly better on your credit report, but you still end up owing money.
How do I know if my payment was received?
If you pay online or by phone, you will receive a confirmation number immediately. If you mail a check, wait at least 10 business days, then log into your online account or call to confirm the payment posted. Your account should show the payment date and amount. If a payment does not show up within two weeks of mailing, contact Regional Acceptance with your check number and amount.
Can I change my payment due date?
Some lenders allow you to move your due date to align with your payday, but Regional Acceptance's policy varies by state and account. Call them and ask if they can change your due date. If they can, the change usually takes effect on your next billing cycle. This does not change the total amount you owe, only when it is due each month.
What should I do if Regional Acceptance made an error on my account?
Call them first and explain the error. If they cannot resolve it over the phone, send a written dispute to their dispute department with copies of your proof (payment receipts, bank statements, etc.). They must respond within 30 days. If they do not fix it, you can file a complaint with the CFPB or your state's attorney general.