Considering your credit card a lifesaver during emergencies might not be justifiable. But let's face it: debts are inevitable for a salaried individual from an upper-middle-class family. Along your route to closing a debt with monthly EMIs, you may face a financially crucial scenario where you need more funds. So, there's no point in disagreeing the benefits of credit card in emergency situations.
So, credit cards are the most convenient payment mode for everyday use. Having a credit card offers financial support during emergencies. Now, your question might be: how does a credit card help during emergencies? To help you evaluate the answer, this post narrates further about the use in detail.
Why Choose a Credit Card in Emergency?
Also called plastic money, a credit card can be used as an emergency fund. After all, it offers a credit facility for customers to borrow funds within the pre-approved limit. It lets customers make transactions for the purchase of services and goods. Notably, the credit card limit is an important aspect that the card issuer determines depending on parameters like credit scores and income.
You will find details on the cardholder's name, signature, expiration date, and card number, among other details. You can use plastic money in emergencies. Let's find out the benefits you can get with credit card use in emergency.
Understanding the Role of Credit Cards in Emergency Situations
From offering instant access to funds to covering unforeseen expenses, having a credit card offers numerous benefits. Ultimately, using a credit card for emergency offers peace of mind and financial protection. Let's find out how:
Meet Your Demand during Urgent Situations
A credit card offers a degree of ease that makes a big difference during stressful emergencies. You do not necessarily have to think of running out of cash. All you need to do is swipe your card and make a quick payment. This offers you peace of mind.
Availability of Instant Cash
Unlike any financial asset or savings account, a credit card offers instant funds during an emergency. For instance, if you consider a financial asset, you would require time to liquidate the amount. However, with a credit card, you can get instant cash loan. Whether you want cash for car repair or a medical emergency, this card covers your expenses, especially when you need it the most.
Moreover, a credit card for emergency offers an additional financial cushion for individuals to manage financial crises. The flexibility you get with its usage is notable.
Utmost Flexibility and Peace of Mind
A cardholder gets peace of mind with flexible repayment procedures for credit cards. In addition, you can also get cashback, which offers a little financial relief.
7 Major Scenarios When Credit Card Use for Emergency is Valuable
Emergencies may occur at any time, from unexpected car repairs to a sudden wedding invitation or medical issues. You should have funds to deal with unexpected situations. In such crucial times, keeping up with your financial responsibilities becomes quite challenging.
The following are the times when a credit card used for emergency saves you financially:
A Sudden Job Loss or Unexpected Relocation
A financial disruption may happen after losing your job without prior notice. In such scenarios, credit card usage offers temporary financial relief. It helps you cover expenses for necessary items like groceries, rent, and utilities until you secure another source of income. However, you should always use your card responsibly. That stated, you must always cut down on additional expenses on luxury items that aren't necessary for the time being.
Unexpected Travelling
Alternatively, a credit card holder can combat a financial situation while relocating for a job. In those times when unexpected relocation becomes expensive, you can use your card to pay your moving expenses and make security deposits accordingly.
Besides job relocation, you may be called for a corporate meeting in your office's main branch outside your hometown. In such cases, you can book last-minute accommodations with a credit card for emergency.
Sudden Home Remodeling
Unexpected home repair expenses may be huge for a salaried millennial, whether it's a busted pipe, leaky roof, or broken appliances. Since the problems need to be addressed right away, you cannot neglect the condition. Instead, you must call the repair team to repair or replace the part. That's where you need cash. You can use your credit card as an emergency fund in such circ*mstances.
Medical Costs
Health crises may be associated with huge expenditures, even for people with medical insurance. A medical emergency is one of the most significant emergencies where credit card use saves lives. This is the time when you cannot compromise on quality medical treatment. The doctor may recommend admitting the patient, whether it's sudden stomach pain or an accident.
Even if you have a medical or insurance policy, you may need instant cash for medications and hospitalization. That's where using a credit card for emergency comes into play. Thus, having a credit card with a high credit limit might cover your expenses. There are several benefits of using credit cards for healthcare and pharmacy purchases. You may get offers and instant cashback.
Gifts for Unexpected Weddings, Baby Showers, or Other Occasions
Imagine getting sudden birthday and wedding invitations from friends and family. It becomes more significant if you are invited to a close relative's wedding that occurs for nine to ten days in India. Considering the rituals of India, people usually gift gold accessories and jewellery to relatives on special occasions like weddings.
However, buying gold jewellery with cash might be quite challenging for a family of two salaried individuals. So, whether it's a surprise baby shower or a last-minute wedding invitation, you can arrange your gift using your credit card for emergency. You can spread your expenses over different billing cycles with a credit card. So it becomes easier to manage repayment and ensure financial stability.
During Cash Crunch in Businesses
Suppose you are running out of cash. In such a scenario, you may use your credit card to access funds instantly. You may use it to restock your inventory or payroll and other services. It's extremely flexible to use credit cards to make payments in a timely manner. However, you must maintain your business operation by using the card responsibly. If you know the smart ways to use credit card so, it can reduce financial crises during the need of the hour. Neglecting to manage your repayments might create further challenges.
Sudden Car Engine Breakdown
Imagine yourself in a situation where you experience a sudden car breakdown. You would need additional expenses to repair the part by visiting the service centre or calling the professional team. What if you don't have an emergency fund at that moment? This is where credit card use in emergency gets noticed.
You may also read this: emergency loan
Tips to Keep in Mind When Using a Credit Card for Emergency
Besides offering instant access to funds, a credit card protects your credit score. However, as a responsible card user, you need to protect your score by making payments on time. This way, you can maintain an excellent credit history and apply for a personal loan in the long run. As of now, if you wish to use your credit card for emergencies conveniently, the following are the tips to keep in mind:
- Spend, but Maintain a Good Credit Score: Based on the amount of money you require and the credit limit, you should use the fund. Otherwise, spending more than the given limit may damage your CIBIL score as it increases the credit utilisation score.
- Ensure a Proper Plan for Repayment: Using your credit card to fund any emergency situation might be valuable. However, it is important to ensure a proper repayment strategy. Do not forget that you borrowed the money and need to repay it. So, ensure to create a repayment plan. Otherwise, you may end up paying a higher rate of interest.
- Purchasing a Card and Forgetting to Use: A credit card that has not been used for a long time period may be cancelled. So, you must use it rationally and increase your credit score accordingly.
A Concluding Thought
So, having a credit card for emergency helps you manage difficult situations with ease. However, you also have to deal with the mounting debt. So, by understanding the above tips and situations, you can sensibly use the card and follow effective financial strategies to pay the debt on time. Never share the details of your card with anyone, and always keep track of the credit card reward points. With these things in mind, you can use your credit card as an effective emergency fund in need of the hour.
