Car Shopping & Financing Guide
Buy your next new or used vehicle with more confidence and less stress with help from UW Credit Union.
Give Yourself More Bargaining Power
Waiting for the car dealership to get financing paperwork in order is probably not your idea of a good time. The good news is that’s not the only way to buy a car. You have a choice in how your vehicle is financed.
Get Preapproved and Know Before You Go
Getting preapproved1 for a car loan can help you drive off the lot sooner and take some of the uncertainty out of the process.
- Shop with confidence: You’ll know what your budget is so you can focus on shopping for vehicles in your price range.
- Save time, avoid uncertainty: Being preapproved for a loan lets you know exactly what your rate and terms are before you walk through the door – no more wondering or worrying while you wait.
Applying for preapproval online is quick and easy, with most decisions ready in as few as five minutes1.
UW Credit Union Partner Dealerships
While a preapproval is the fastest option, it’s not the only way to bring UW Credit Union with you. We partner with hundreds of dealerships in Wisconsin to help streamline the loan process for our members. To get a general idea of what’s available near you, browse dealer inventories in our Auto Research Center and use National Auto Dealers of America’s resources to explore vehicle values.
When purchasing from a partner dealership:
- Tell your dealer you want to finance your vehicle through UW Credit Union.
- The dealer will create a duplicate credit application for you since they do not have access to your personal information at UW Credit Union.
- You will close and sign your loan papers right there at the dealership.
Buying from Non-Partner Dealerships
Even if we don’t have a direct partnership with your dealer, UW Credit Union can still finance your vehicle purchase quickly and easily.
When purchasing from a non-partner dealership:
When purchasing from a non-partner dealership:
- Tell your dealer you want to finance your vehicle through UW Credit Union.
- Provide UW Credit Union with a readable copy of the Dealer Purchase Agreement/Buyer’s Order from your dealership.
- Provide the dealership with UW Credit Union’s lienholder information.
Lienholder Information
UW Credit Union
P.O. Box 44963
Madison, WI 53744-4963
Phone: 608-232-5000
Fax: 608-236-2981
Secured Party No: 005805
Buying from Private Sellers
When purchasing from a private seller:
- Provide to UW Credit Union a readable copy of the front of the vehicle's title.
Note: If the title shows a lien on it, we will also need either a copy of the lien release or a payoff quote from the financial institution that holds the loan.
- You and the seller will need to complete and sign a Bill of Sale provided by UW Credit Union.
Loan Payment Center
Explore all the ways you can easily pay your UW Credit Union auto loan online or in person.
Post-Purchase Benefits
We offer valuable protection products for your vehicle to help you save money and enjoy peace of mind after you leave the lot.
Vehicle Repair Coverage
Vehicle Repair covers the cost of minor and major repairs to your vehicle with a deductible as low as $0.2
Every plan comes with:
- 24-hour emergency roadside assistance
- Rental and travel reimbursements
- Paintless dent repair
- Windshield repair
Try it with no risk—if you decide to cancel within the first 60 days, you’ll receive a full refund.
Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Coverage
Because your vehicle depreciates over time, its value could be less than what you owe on your loan.
GAP covers the difference between what you owe on your loan and what your insurance will pay in the event your vehicle is stolen or damaged beyond repair.
GAP can be added to your loan at any time and is refundable if cancelled within the first 60 days.