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A secured loan is a loan you can take out that’s tied to an asset of yours as security. For example a mortgage is a type of secured loan, and the asset would be the house you take the mortgage out on – when you repay the loan the house is yours, but if you don’t repay then the lender could seize your house.

An unsecured loan isn’t tied to any collateral, and as a result you normally need at least a fair credit score to qualify. There is also often a maximum amount you’ll be allowed to borrow.

You can take out a loan for a number of reasons, ranging from home improvements or education to big purchases like buying a car – however it’s unlikely you’ll be approved for a loan to cover you day-to-day costs.

The length of your loan can vary depending on the type of loan you take out and the provider you choose, but it could be anywhere between a year and ten years. Taking out a loan for a longer period of time may reduce your monthly payments, but you may end up paying more for the loan due to interest payments.

Different lenders and different types of loans will have varying requirements, but in general whether or not you qualify will depend on your personal details and your credit history. However you can always compare loans on MoneySuperMarket – all you need to do is answer a few questions about the loan you want to take out and you’ll be given a tailored list, which you can sort by interest rates and the likelihood of your application being accepted.

You can generally apply for loans by contacting the provider you choose – either by calling through the phone, sending an application form through the post, applying online, or dropping in to their branch (if they have one) to apply in person.

For many loans you’ll need a good credit history to be accepted, but some providers also offer loans designed for people with poor or no credit. For example, you can get guarantor loans where someone else will commit to make your repayments if you can’t.

A soft-search or soft-application is a way of finding out where you stand in terms of getting a loan without leaving a mark on your credit report. It’s a useful way of finding a loan you’ll be eligible for without harming your chances of being accepted.

Missing repayments can mean you might be fined by your lender, and it could also end any low or zero interest incentives you have. It may even lead to a hike in the interest rate you’ll make future repayments at.

APR, or your Annual Percentage Rate, is the interest rate at which you pay back money you’ve borrowed. It takes into account the actual interest rate you pay, plus any other fees or charges involved in the deal, to give you a more complete picture of what you loan will cost.

When you see a rate advertised as the representative APR, this means the lender is required to offer this rate to at least 51% of applicants – however it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to receive this interest rate yourself.

Debt consolidation is when you take out a single loan to repay the debts you have with different providers – this way you can pay off the debt with a single monthly repayment, rather than lots of repayments to a variety of lenders.

A repayment holiday is when you don’t have to make any loan repayments for a certain period of time that you’ve agreed with your lender. They’re generally good for when you’ve had a temporary change of circumstances, such as unemployment, maternity, or unexpected expenditures.

You’ll normally be able to pay off all or part of your loan early, though some lenders may have an early payment charge.

If you’re struggling with your finances and you think you might not be able to make your repayments, you should call your lender as soon as possible – they may be able to help you work out an easier repayment plan or a repayment holiday. Not letting your bank know could mean you’ll be penalised for missing any payments.

You should try to work out how much you can afford to borrow and pay back before applying for a loan. This way you can look for loans in your borrowing range, giving yourself the best chance of being accepted as well as ensuring you don’t take on a loan that you can’t afford – you could even try MoneySuperMarket’s loan calculator for guidance.

Likewise it’s better to avoid taking out a loan without thinking carefully whether you need it, and whether the cost of the loan is worth what you’re taking it out for. For example, it’s probably not a good idea to take a loan out for everyday purchases – a credit card might be more suitable.

Interest free periods can be useful when you’re borrowing, but you should always keep an eye on how long this will last. Once the interest free period ends you may be moved on to a high rate instead, so it can be a good idea to pay off as much of your debt as you can during this interest free period.

Variable rate deals mean the interest rate at which you make repayments can change whenever the lender decides to change it – though often lenders will use the Bank of England base rate as a guideline. While this means that your repayments could be less if the base rate falls, they could also go up if the rate rises, so it could be a good idea to ensure you’ll be able to cope with interest rate fluctuations before taking out a variable rate loan.

Loan sharks should always be avoided – they’re illegal, not regulated by any financial organisations, and they generally charge massively high interest rates. What’s more, if you aren’t able to repay them you may be pressured into borrowing even more money, which could lead to a spiral of debt.

Payday loans may be legitimate, but they can come with incredibly high interest rates sometimes reaching over 1000% - which could make even a small loan turn into a debt spiral. Learn more with our guide to payday loans.

Every loan application you make, just like credit applications, leave a mark on your credit report. Too many of these will give lenders the impression that you are desperate to take out a loan, which could imply that you’re struggling to manage your finances – as a result, lenders may be more reluctant to let you borrow from them in the future.

Rather than making lots of applications and hoping one will stick, you may be better off running a soft check on your credit score to see what kinds of loans you’ll be eligible for. This way you can minimise your applications and reduce the chance of you damaging your credit.

Often with loans, the more you borrow the less interest you’ll end up paying. It can vary by lenders, but you should always check on the interest rate they charge as there might be a chance you actually pay less overall by choosing a bigger loan with a lower interest rate.

The best way to find the right deal on a loan is to shop around, and by comparing deals on MoneySuperMarket you’ll be able to browse a list tailored specifically for you. All you need to do is answer a few questions about the loan you need and you’ll be able to compare loans from a number of different providers by the rate you’ll pay back at as well as how likely you are to be accepted.