PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
Are a car loan and a car note the same thing?
I've heard people throwing around the phrases car note and car loan. I want to buy a car, so I need to know the difference. Is a car loan the same thing as a car note?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Good question! The phrases sound similar and are often used interchangeably, but they’re a bit different—a
car loan
is a financial instrument involving a lender letting you borrow money to buy a car, which is paid back monthly with interest. A car note, on the other hand, usually refers to your monthly payment on that car loan.Car loans can come in several different lengths, so you may have a car note each month for a time period spanning from 24 months to 84 months.
However, your monthly car note isn’t all you pay for car ownership. Remember that sales tax, gas, maintenance, and car insurance all play into how much you pay regularly.
To easily cut down on your car insurance costs, check out the
Jerry
app. We’ll get you customized quotes from top providers in seconds, so that all you need to do is pick the plan that works best for you. And once you pick one, we’ll even help you switch!Best of luck with the new ride!
View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies