Managing Your Auto Loan

As a Bay Federal Credit Union auto loan holder, you have flexibility to manage your account and make payments online anytime. 


Our History

Bay Federal Credit Union was founded in 1957 by eight teachers in Santa Cruz. The first branch was in a teacher’s living room, and the first loan allowed a new mother to purchase a baby crib. Since then, we’ve grown into a full service financial institution, offering affordable banking services and exceptional service to over 80,000 people.

Bay Federal membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties. Our Board of Directors is comprised of members just like you who volunteer their unpaid time to ensure the safety and security of your money.

Women driving with her dog.

Auto Loan Account Features

We want to make managing your car loan payments easy – whether you want to pay off your loan early, or need some breathing room once in a while.

1The fee for each skipped payment is $30. Interest will continue to accrue during the skipped payment period, and this skip will have no impact on your credit score or history. This feature is not available for home loans, credit cards, or revolving lines of credit.

Vehicle Loans FAQs

If you have an auto loan with Bay Federal, you’ll need to obtain written consent from us first. Bay Federal may agree (for a limited period) if all the following conditions are met:

  1. The travel period will be less than 60 days.
  2. The loan is not past due and the member is in good standing with the Credit Union.
  3. The auto is adequately insured (not lender-placed) and covers travel to other countries (members may need to purchase separate or extended insurance plans).
  4. The member must have made at least three on-time monthly payments prior to the request.
  5. The DMV registration must be current and show Bay Federal Credit Union as the lienholder. 

Complete the Request to Take Vehicle Outside of the US form and bring it to any branch or mail it to Bay Federal Credit Union, Attention: Loan Servicing, 3333 Clares Street, Capitola, CA 95010.

You may be eligible to change your loan due date by completing the Due Date Change Request Form.

Eligibility is based on the following factors:

  • Your account may not be past due.
  • You may not have any unpaid charges.
  • You must have made at least one regularly scheduled payment.
  • The requested payment due date must be in the same month as the existing payment due date.

Due date changes will not be approved more than once per year.

Note: Changes to the due date may change your loans scheduled payoff date and increase the total interest paid over the loan period.

If you receive an insurance check made payable to Bay Federal and yourself, you must submit it to Bay Federal for review and endorsement.

  • If the amount is less than $5,000 and your account is not past due, simply bring the check to any branch for endorsement.
  • If the total amount is $5,001-$9,999, bring your insurance documents and the check to any branch for endorsement.
  • If the repairs will cost $10,000 or more, please bring the check, insurance documents, and repair shop documents to any branch for review. The repairs must be completed by a licensed and qualified repair shop, and Bay Federal will pay the repair shop directly.

Note: If your loan is past due, you will need to bring the account current before any funds will be released to you for repairs.

Members in good standing may be eligible to skip a month’s auto payment for a small fee of $30.

Learn about skipping a loan payment »

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, you may qualify for a deferral or reduced loan payment through Bay Federal’s Consumer Preservation Program.

To qualify, you must:

  • Have made a minimum of 12 payments to the Credit Union on your auto loan.
  • Have sufficient income to qualify for relief.

Note: All borrowers and co-borrowers must sign the Consumer Preservation Program Application and submit supporting income and hardship documentation to Loss Mitigation for review. 

If you have any questions contact Loss Mitigation at 831.479.6000, ext 8124.  

If you have a vehicle loan, you must maintain full coverage insurance. Insurance policies must include:

  1. A maximum deductible of $1,000 for collision and comprehensive coverage.
  2. Bay Federal Credit Union listed as lien-holder/loss payee.

You may submit your insurance policy by doing one of the following:

  • Uploading a copy at www.myinsuranceinfo.com.
  • Relaying your information over the phone at 1.800.998.0652.
  • Mailing a copy of the declaration page to Bay Federal Credit Union (ISAOA/ATIMA), P.O. Box 2086, Carmel, IN 46082.
  • Bring a copy of the declaration page to any Bay Federal branch.

If you fail to provide the required proof of insurance, Bay Federal may purchase insurance on your behalf.

Note: Lender purchased insurance may cover only the lesser of the lender’s interest in the collateral (the loan balance), or the value of the collateral and will not provide any public liability or property damage indemnification. The amount of any lender placed policy will increase your overall loan balance, total interest charged, and could cause monthly payment increases.

You may be able to purchase GAP Insurance on eligible vehicle loans that have not been declared a total loss. 

If you purchased a GAP waiver from Bay Federal and wish to cancel your coverage and receive a refund of your GAP fee, you must do so within sixty (60) days from the contract date.

To get started, call us at 831.479.6000.

Note: Canceling the GAP waiver will not lower your monthly auto payment, and if you refinance your loan, your GAP coverage terminates.

Please call us at 831.479.6000 to discuss whether debt protection cancellation is an option for you.

If you wish to cancel your coverage and a refund of fees, you must do so within sixty (60) days from the effective date of the debt protection.

Cancellation after sixty (60) days will end coverage, but previously charged fees will not be refunded.

Note: Canceling debt protection will not lower your monthly payment, and the payoff schedule of the loan may accelerate. Once debt protection is cancelled, it cannot be reinstated.

Ways to Make Your Loan Payments

To make a payment online from your Bay Federal deposit account to a loan account: 

  • In the BayFed Mobile App, select “Make a transfer.” Fill out the form and select “Transfer.”
  • In BayFedOnline, select “Move Money” on the top menu and then “Make a Transfer.”
  • Fill out the form and select "Make a Transfer." You may then move money from your Bay Federal checking or savings account to your loan.

To make a payment online by transferring money from another financial institution:

  • In BayFedOnline, select “Pay” under the loan on the Accounts page.
  • In the BayFed Mobile App, select “Pay” under the loan on the Accounts page.

To set up recurring automatic payments from your Bay Federal deposit account to a loan account, choose one of the following:

  • In the BayFed Mobile App, select the “Pay” option under the loan on the Accounts page, then select “Schedule” and then “Schedule a Transfer.”
  • In BayFedOnline, select the “Pay” option under the loan on the Accounts page, then select “Repeat Transfer” and choose how often you want the transfer to occur. 
  • Call our Member Service Center at 831.479.6000
  • Visit any Bay Federal branch for assistance.

To make a payment with a debit/credit card, or from another financial institution, use the WebPay portal. Set up a WebPay username and password for recurring payments and reminders, or use the Express Pay option for a one-time payment.

To make a loan payment over the phone, call our Member Service Center at 831.479.6000.

The Member Service Center can accept payments via deposit accounts, Discover or MasterCard debit and credit cards, or VISA debit cards. Fees may apply.

To submit your loan payment by mail, send your check with the bill pay stub that came with your monthly statement to:

Bay Federal Credit Union
3333 Clares Street
Capitola, CA 95010

To make your loan payment in person, visit any of our seven conveniently located branches. Our Member Service Representatives can accept payments by cash or check, or help make a transfer from a Bay Federal deposit account.

Auto Insurance FAQ

If you have a vehicle loan, you must maintain full coverage insurance. Insurance policies must include:

  1. A maximum deductible of $1,000 for collision and comprehensive coverage.
  2. Bay Federal Credit Union listed as lien-holder/loss payee.

You may submit your insurance policy by doing one of the following:

  • Uploading a copy at www.myinsuranceinfo.com.
  • Relaying your information over the phone at 1.800.998.0652.
  • Mailing a copy of the declaration page to Bay Federal Credit Union (ISAOA/ATIMA), P.O. Box 2086, Carmel, IN 46082.
  • Bring a copy of the declaration page to any Bay Federal branch.

If you fail to provide the required proof of insurance, Bay Federal may purchase insurance on your behalf.

Note: Lender purchased insurance may cover only the lesser of the lender’s interest in the collateral (the loan balance), or the value of the collateral and will not provide any public liability or property damage indemnification. The amount of any lender placed policy will increase your overall loan balance, total interest charged, and could cause monthly payment increases.

You can submit it online by visiting myinsuranceinfo.com. You may also call 831.479.6000 or 888.4BAYFED, option 8211, to speak to our Insurance Center to provide the information to one of our agents.

You may click the “Don’t have an ID?” link and verify your identity using Name, Zip and last 5 digits of your vehicle VIN.

For automobile, motorcycle, or RV loans, you must maintain insurance providing coverage for accidental loss or damage to your vehicle and the policy must include:
  • Maximum Deductibles: 
    • Comprehensive        $1,000.00 
    • Collision                    $1,000.00 
  • List Lienholder/Loss Payee as:
    • Bay Federal Credit Union / Insurance Center
      P.O. Box 2086 Carmel, IN 46082

Bay Federal has always required acceptable insurance policies for vehicle loans. During a periodic audit review it was noted that your current policy is not on file.

You can call  831.479.6000 and we can transfer you to our Insurance Center. An agent can assist you with the error.

Lienholder can be updated by your contacting your insurance agent or through your insurance provider’s website or mobile app.

If you receive an insurance check made payable to Bay Federal and yourself, you must submit it to Bay Federal for review and endorsement.

  • If the amount is less than $5,000 and your account is not past due, simply bring the check to any branch for endorsement.
  • If the total amount is $5,001-$9,999, bring your insurance documents and the check to any branch for endorsement.
  • If the repairs will cost $10,000 or more, please bring the check, insurance documents, and repair shop documents to any branch for review. The repairs must be completed by a licensed and qualified repair shop, and Bay Federal will pay the repair shop directly.

Note: If your loan is past due, you will need to bring the account current before any funds will be released to you for repairs.

You may be able to purchase GAP Insurance on eligible vehicle loans that have not been declared a total loss. 

If you purchased a GAP waiver from Bay Federal and wish to cancel your coverage and receive a refund of your GAP fee, you must do so within sixty (60) days from the contract date.

To get started, call us at 831.479.6000.

Note: Canceling the GAP waiver will not lower your monthly auto payment, and if you refinance your loan, your GAP coverage terminates.

TruStage™ Auto Insurance Program

Bay Federal Credit Union could help save you hundreds on Auto Insurance

If you haven't gotten an Auto Insurance quote lately, your credit union membership could help you save hundreds of dollars.

Bay Federal Credit Union members may qualify for a discount on Auto Insurance through the TruStage™ Auto Insurance Program. You could save big, and it could be simple to switch carriers—without losing any money.

TruStage makes available a powerful mix of savings and popular, member-friendly benefits:

  • Credit union members could save hundreds*
  • Nationally recognized companies
  • Friendly, 24/7 service—even on holidays
  • Discounts for multiple vehicles, good driving and more**
  • Mobile app for easy claims

It’s simple to get a free quote today. Don’t wait to see how much you could save.

You could save $700 on auto insurance

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