Requirements for Leasing a Car

Dealerships that lease cars are essentially letting customers use their vehicles unsupervised for a number of years with little or no down payment. Because of this risk, leasing rules are often more stringent than rules governing traditional car loans. Leasing banks require that applicants have good credit and have little flexibility to adjust rates. Typically, a lease application is either approved or rejected, whereas with a financed purchase the lender has more flexibility to adjust the interest rate according to your credit score.

Not only should your credit history be excellent, but all of your existing loans, revolving lines of credit and credit card accounts should be current. If you have poor credit, you have no chance of leasing without using a co-signer.

Expect to have to prove your current income by showing copies of your last few paychecks. In addition, you will likely have to prove that you have been working for your employer for at least two years. You will also need to prove that you have been living at the same address for two years.

In the event that your credit score is too low to get a lease on your own, one option is to find a co-signor who is prepared to guarantee your payments if you default on your lease agreement. The co-signor will need a high credit score, stable employment and proof of residency.

To lease a vehicle, your driver's license must be valid in the state where you plan to register your leased vehicle.

The leasing company will require full-coverage insurance that you must maintain on the car throughout the contract term. Usually, this insurance consists of collision coverage, increased minimums for bodily injury and property damage coverage, and low deductibles. Proof of coverage that lists policy limits and dates of the policy term are required before you can take your vehicle from the dealership.

Gap insurance is an additional cost that covers the vehicle's total value to the leasing bank if it becomes totaled or stolen. This is necessary if your existing policy does not cover full replacement value.