Vehicle repossession can catch you by surprise – but it doesn't have to if you know what your auto loan contract says about the process.

A repossession on your credit reports can make it tough to qualify for a car loan. However, there are lenders that overlook your credit reports – making it possible to get into a vehicle after a repo.

Going through the repossession process can be stressful, so we want to offer some guidance. We have seven things you should know about the repo process, including your likely auto loan options afterward.

Once a lender hires a recovery company to repossess your car, they have many resources and ways to locate your vehicle. We cover how a repo man can find your car, your rights, and auto loan options after a repossession.

If your car was repossessed and put up for auction, you could be left with a deficiency balance that you're responsible for. If you can't pay the deficiency balance, you may have some options to explore.

A car repossession brings down your credit score, and can make it hard to get another auto loan in the future. Here's what you need to know about repossessions and how to avoid this situation.

Once your vehicle is repossessed, it can be hard to get it back right away, let alone on the same day. However, there are processes in place to get your car back after a repossession.

If you know you're about to face a repossession, you could voluntarily surrender your vehicle and save some cash. We cover when it's a good idea to surrender your car, and the benefits of doing so if it's only a matter of time before the repo man comes.

Getting your car repossessed can be overwhelming, but we're here to give you seven steps to take during and after a repo to help the process go a little smoother.

How long it takes between loan default and when your car gets repossessed depends on the policies of your lender and the language in your auto loan contract. If you feel like you're only staying one step ahead of the repo man, you have some options.