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
Can you buy a car with your debit card?
I am so close to buying my car, but I’m still trying to figure out how to pay for it and what I need to do there. Can I use my debit card?
Pat Roache · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I bet you’re going to be so relieved and excited once that car title is finally in your name! To answer your question plainly, yes, you can technically use your debit card to pay for a car—but it may not work for your specific purchase.
There are a few more complications when paying with a debit card, especially if you’re buying from a dealer rather than a
private seller
.First, you’ll need to check your debit card’s spending limit to make sure it will cover the costs. Even if you’re debit card can handle the transaction, a dealer may decline your card for the following reasons:
- Transaction fees can cost the dealer up to 3 to 4% of the total transaction, which can get pretty pricey for a car’s price tag
- A higher suspicion for debit card fraud
- Debit card transactions are easier to dispute after the fact, which could cost the dealer more money in the long run
If you can’t pay with your debit card but want to avoid credit, you can try using a bank transfer, cashier’s check, or a money order.
Once you’ve got your payment method figured out, remember to make sure you have your
car insurance
before getting behind the wheel. Use Jerry
to find the cheapest insurance rates available for your new ride. It’s super easy to find competitive quotes in less than a minute and the average user saves $887 a year on car insurance.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