Emergency Loans

Boiler breakdown in winter? Car won’t start before work? Urgent vet bill? Emergency loans help you tackle unexpected costs quickly, with 15-minute funding capability once approved. We search multiple lenders so you don’t have to, giving you more options without the stress of multiple applications.

We’re rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot from over 7,385 reviews, and we process 7,500+ quotes daily. As an FCA-authorised broker, we connect you with responsible lenders who understand that emergencies don’t wait.

See if you match

Why choose Sunny:

• Soft credit check only – won’t affect your score
• No fees from Sunny
• Compare offers before you commit
• 15-minute funding if approved

Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk

What Are Emergency Loans?

Emergency loans are short-term loans designed for urgent, unexpected expenses that can’t wait. Whether it’s a broken boiler in January, urgent car repairs before work, or an unexpected vet bill, these loans help you cover critical costs quickly.

Unlike traditional bank loans that can take days or weeks, emergency loans prioritise speed. You can apply online in minutes, see if you’re eligible without affecting your credit score, and potentially receive funds the same day. They’re built for situations where time matters.

Through Sunny, you can borrow from £100 to £2,500 with flexible repayment terms from 3 to 36 months. This means you’re not locked into paying everything back in one go. You choose a repayment schedule that works for your budget, whether that’s clearing it quickly over three months or spreading the cost over longer.

Emergency loans differ from payday loans in an important way. Traditional payday loans expect full repayment by your next payday, creating pressure. Emergency loans through our panel offer instalment repayments, making them easier to manage. If you need both speed and flexible repayment, quick loans might suit your situation.

Common emergency loan uses include:

• Boiler repairs or replacements during winter
• Urgent car repairs to get to work
• Emergency dental treatment
• Veterinary bills for family pets
• Broken washing machine or fridge
• Urgent home repairs like burst pipes
• Unexpected travel for family emergencies

How Emergency Loans Work

Getting an emergency loan through Sunny is straightforward. We’ve designed the process to be fast without cutting corners on responsible lending. Here’s exactly what happens:

Step 1: Tell us what you need

Complete our quick online form in about two minutes. You’ll tell us how much you need to borrow, your preferred repayment term, and some basic information about yourself. This includes your employment status, monthly income, and address history.

Step 2: We search our lender network

Once you submit your application, we instantly search our panel of FCA-authorised lenders. We’re looking for lenders who can help based on your circumstances. This happens in seconds, not hours.

Step 3: See if you match

We use a soft credit check to show you which lenders are likely to approve you. This is the clever bit: only you can see this check on your credit file. It won’t affect your credit score, and other lenders won’t see it. You get to see your options without any risk.

Step 4: Compare and choose

If we find matches, you’ll see your offers. Each will show the loan amount, interest rate, monthly repayment, and total amount repayable. Take time to compare them. There’s no pressure and no obligation to accept anything.

Step 5: Apply to your chosen lender

When you’ve chosen an offer that works for you, you apply directly with that lender. They’ll complete a full credit check at this stage (which does appear on your credit file), verify your details, and make a final decision.

Step 6: Receive your funds

If approved, most lenders can transfer funds to your bank account within 15 minutes. Some transfers arrive even faster. The money goes straight to your account, ready to use for your emergency.

The entire process from application to approval typically takes under an hour. Many customers have funds in their account the same day they apply. If you need guaranteed within-day funding, explore 24 hour loans from our lender panel.

How Much Do Emergency Loans Cost?

Emergency loans come with costs you need to understand before applying. The speed and accessibility mean higher interest rates than traditional loans, but responsible lenders cap these rates under FCA regulations.

Representative 89% APR is what we show across our lender panel. APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It’s the official way of showing what a loan costs over a year, including all interest and fees. This helps you compare loans fairly.

The actual rate you’re offered depends on your personal circumstances. Our lenders offer rates from 9.3% to 1,721% APR. Your credit history, income, existing commitments, and the loan amount all affect your rate.

Representative example: If you borrow £1,000 over 18 months at 89% APR (fixed), you’d pay:

• Monthly payment: £102.42
• Total repayable: £1,843.60
• Total interest: £843.60
• Interest rate: 89% per annum (fixed)

For a smaller emergency, borrowing £500 over 6 months might result in monthly payments around £123.45, with a total repayable of £740.70. The shorter the term, the higher your monthly payments but the less interest you pay overall.

Here’s what affects your rate:

• Credit history: A stronger credit history typically means better rates
• Loan amount: Smaller loans sometimes have higher APRs
• Repayment term: Longer terms mean more interest overall but lower monthly payments
• Income and affordability: Lenders assess whether you can afford repayments

One important benefit: all lenders in our panel allow early repayment without penalties. If your situation improves and you want to clear the loan early, you can save on interest. You only pay interest for the time you actually borrow.

If you’re comparing different repayment periods, a 6 month loan balances affordability with reasonable total interest for many emergency situations.

Who Can Apply for Emergency Loans?

Emergency loans have straightforward eligibility requirements. You’ll need to meet these basic criteria to apply through Sunny:

• Age: Be at least 18 years old
• Residency: Be a UK resident
• Income: Have a regular income of at least £500 per month after tax
• Employment: Be employed, self-employed, or receiving regular benefits
• Bank account: Have a UK bank account in your name
• Credit status: Not currently bankrupt or in an IVA
• Address history: Provide three years of address history

Your employment status matters, but you don’t need a traditional job. Self-employed people, those on benefits, and part-time workers can all apply. What matters is regular, provable income that shows you can afford repayments.

What about bad credit? This is where emergency loans differ from bank loans. Many people facing emergencies have less-than-perfect credit histories. Our lender panel includes specialists who consider your current situation, not just your past.

If you’ve had CCJs, defaults, or missed payments in the past, you might still be eligible. Lenders look at your affordability now. Can you manage the monthly repayments with your current income? That’s what matters most. For credit-focused options, see bad credit loans from our panel.

What we can’t help with:

• If you’re currently bankrupt
• If you’re in an active IVA or debt management plan
• If you have no regular income
• If you’re under 18

If you’re in one of these situations, borrowing more might not be the right solution. Free debt advice from organisations like StepChange or Citizens Advice can help you find other options.

Why Use a Broker Like Sunny for Emergency Loans?

When you’re facing an emergency, time matters. Using a broker saves you precious time and improves your chances of approval. Here’s why the broker approach works better in urgent situations:

One application, multiple lenders

Instead of filling out separate applications with five different lenders, you complete one application with us. We search our entire panel instantly. This alone saves you 30-45 minutes of form-filling when you’re already stressed.

Better approval chances

Different lenders specialise in different customers. One might focus on employed borrowers with good credit. Another might specialise in self-employed applicants or those with credit issues. We know which lenders suit which situations, increasing your approval odds.

Soft credit check protection

This is crucial. If you applied directly to five lenders, you’d likely get five hard credit checks. Each one affects your credit score and shows on your file. Through Sunny, you get one soft check that shows you all your options without any score impact. Only when you accept an offer does a hard check happen.

No fees, ever

We never charge you anything. Not an application fee, not a broker fee, not a service charge. Nothing. When you’re approved and accept a loan, the lender pays us a referral commission. You pay exactly what you’d pay going direct to that lender.

FCA protection across the board

Every lender in our panel is FCA-authorised and follows strict responsible lending rules. They must conduct affordability checks, provide clear terms, and follow interest rate caps. Using Sunny means every option you see meets these standards.

Unbiased comparison

We show you all available offers. We don’t favour one lender over another because we want you to choose the best option for your situation. That builds trust and brings customers back when they need help again.

For situations requiring immediate same-day arrival, many customers combine our broker service with same day loans from lenders specialising in rapid transfers.

When Every Minute Counts: Speed Without Shortcuts

Emergency loans are called emergency loans for a reason. When your car breaks down and you need it for work tomorrow, or your boiler fails in January, waiting three days isn’t an option. Speed matters.

But speed shouldn’t mean skipping important steps. This is where Sunny’s approach differs from some emergency loan providers. We prioritise speed and responsibility together.

15-minute funding capability

Once a lender approves your application, they can transfer funds to your bank account within 15 minutes. This isn’t a marketing claim. Our lenders use Faster Payments, the UK banking system that processes transfers almost instantly.

Most banks credit your account within an hour of the lender releasing funds. Some customers see money arrive in minutes. This genuine same-day service helps when you’re facing a time-critical emergency.

24/7 processing

Emergencies don’t only happen during office hours. You can apply through Sunny at midnight on Sunday or 6am on Christmas morning. Our system processes applications every hour of every day. Many lenders also review and approve applications outside traditional banking hours.

Instant eligibility decisions

When you apply, you’ll typically see if you match with lenders within seconds. The soft credit check happens automatically and instantly. You’re not left waiting and wondering.

But we don’t rush affordability

Here’s the important balance: whilst we move fast on the mechanics, lenders still conduct proper affordability checks. They verify your income, review your existing commitments, and ensure you can manage repayments. This protects you from taking on debt you can’t afford.

Some providers offer “instant approval with no checks.” That’s not responsible lending. It’s designed to get you into debt quickly without considering whether you can repay it. Our lenders are regulated to protect you, even when speed matters.

What slows things down?

Occasionally, applications take longer. This usually happens if:

• You’re applying outside banking hours and your bank is slower to process
• Lenders need to verify information you’ve provided
• There are questions about your address history or income
• You’re self-employed and need to provide additional proof of income

Even in these cases, most applications complete the same day. The fastest alternative for many customers is instant loans which prioritise immediate eligibility decisions.

What to Consider Before Applying for an Emergency Loan

Even in an emergency, taking a moment to think through your borrowing helps you make the right choice. Here are the key questions to ask yourself:

Do I really need to borrow?

This sounds obvious in an emergency, but it’s worth asking. Is there another way to cover this cost? Could you use savings, even if it leaves you with less of a buffer? Could you pay with a credit card you’ll clear quickly? Could you delay the expense by a week until payday?

Sometimes the answer is genuinely no – you need the money now and have no other options. That’s exactly what emergency loans are for. But if there’s an alternative that doesn’t involve borrowing, that’s usually the better path.

How much do I actually need?

Borrow only what you need to cover the emergency. If your car repair costs £650, don’t borrow £1,000 “just in case.” The extra £350 costs you interest for no benefit. Be specific about the amount.

That said, don’t underborrow either. If you need £500 but only borrow £400, you might end up applying for another loan shortly after, creating more debt and more interest. Get the amount right the first time.

Can I afford the repayments?

This is the most important question. Look at your monthly income after tax. Subtract your essential costs: rent or mortgage, utilities, food, transport, existing debts. What’s left is your disposable income.

Your loan repayment needs to fit comfortably within that disposable income. If repaying £100 per month leaves you with nothing for emergencies or unexpected costs, the repayment is too high. You need breathing room.

Use the representative examples to estimate your monthly payment. Be honest about what’s affordable. Lenders will conduct their own affordability assessment, but you know your situation best.

What’s the total cost?

Don’t just focus on the monthly payment. Look at the total amount repayable. If you borrow £1,000 and repay £1,844 over 18 months, you’re paying £844 in interest. Is solving this emergency worth £844? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Shorter terms mean less total interest but higher monthly payments. Longer terms mean more total interest but more manageable monthly amounts. Find the balance that works for your budget.

What if I can’t repay?

Life happens. If you’re already struggling with debt or worry you might not manage repayments, an emergency loan could make things worse. Never borrow your way out of a debt problem.

Free debt advice is available from:

• StepChange: Charity offering free debt advice and solutions
• Citizens Advice: Free, independent advice on debt and money
• National Debtline: Free confidential debt advice

These organisations can help you find alternatives to borrowing, negotiate with creditors, and set up affordable repayment plans for existing debts.

Are there alternatives?

Before applying, consider:

• Could you arrange a payment plan directly with whoever you owe money to?
• Does your employer offer advance payment schemes?
• Could family or friends help with an interest-free loan?
• Do you have items you could sell quickly?
• Would a credit union offer a more affordable loan?

If none of these options work and you genuinely need emergency funding, that’s when emergency loans serve their purpose. For smaller urgent expenses, small loans from £100 prevent over-borrowing.

Check your eligibility now

What makes us different:

• 1M+ customers trust us
• 4.5/5 stars on Trustpilot
• 7,500+ daily quotes processed
• FCA-authorised and regulated
• No fees from Sunny – ever
• Soft credit check only – won’t affect your score

How Sunny Protects You

When you’re in a financial emergency, you’re vulnerable. Some providers take advantage of that urgency. We don’t. Here’s how we protect you throughout the process:

FCA authorisation and regulation

Sunny operates as Upward Finance Limited (Company Number 11365247), an Appointed Representative of Flux Funding Limited (FRN 806333), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our registered office is at 7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR.

This means we follow strict rules about how we treat customers, how we advertise, and how we handle your data. Every lender we work with is also FCA-authorised, following the same responsible lending standards.

Your credit score is safe (initially)

The soft credit check we use to show you matches doesn’t affect your credit score. Only you can see it on your credit file. Other lenders won’t see it. This means checking your options through Sunny carries no risk to your creditworthiness.

A hard credit check only happens when you choose a specific lender and apply to them directly. At that point, you’ve seen your options and made an informed choice.

No fees, transparent costs

We never charge you fees. The lender’s interest rate is the only cost you pay. We don’t add broker fees, admin charges, or any other hidden costs on top. What you see is what you pay.

When you see an offer, it shows the total amount repayable, monthly payment, interest rate, and APR. Everything’s upfront before you commit.

Your data is secure

We use bank-level encryption to protect your information. Your data is stored securely and we never sell it to third parties. We share your information only with lenders you choose to apply with, and only after you give permission.

You can read our full privacy policy on our website, and you have the right to know what data we hold and request its deletion.

You can change your mind

Under UK consumer credit regulations, you typically have a 14-day cooling-off period after accepting a loan. This allows you to cancel without penalty if you change your mind. Each lender’s specific cancellation terms will be explained in their loan agreement.

You’re never obligated

Getting a quote through Sunny creates no obligation whatsoever. If you see offers and decide they don’t work for you, you can walk away. No pressure, no follow-up calls pushing you to accept.

Complaints are taken seriously

If something goes wrong, we want to know. We have a formal complaints process, and if we can’t resolve your complaint, you can escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman Service, an independent body that adjudicates financial complaints.

The Application Process: What You’ll Need

Preparing everything before you start saves time. Here’s what you’ll need to complete your emergency loan application:

Personal information:

• Full name and date of birth
• Current address and three years of address history
• Email address and mobile phone number

Employment and income details:

• Employment status (employed, self-employed, benefits, retired)
• Employer name and how long you’ve worked there
• Monthly income after tax (at least £500)
• Payment frequency (weekly, fortnightly, monthly)

Financial information:

• UK bank account details (sort code and account number)
• Monthly housing costs (rent or mortgage payment)
• Other regular monthly expenses
• Existing credit commitments and monthly payments

Loan requirements:

• How much you want to borrow (£100 to £2,500)
• Your preferred repayment term (3 to 36 months)

How long does it take?

Most people complete the application form in two to three minutes. If you have all your information ready, it’s genuinely quick. The soft credit check happens automatically and instantly once you submit.

If we find lender matches, you’ll see your offers immediately. You can then take as long as you need to review them. Applying to your chosen lender typically takes another five to ten minutes.

What happens after you apply?

Once you’ve applied to a specific lender, they’ll:

1. Conduct a full credit check (this one does show on your file)
2. Verify your income, usually through your bank statements
3. Complete their affordability assessment
4. Make a final lending decision

This usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. If approved, funds transfer to your bank account, typically arriving within 15 minutes to an hour of approval.

If the lender needs more information, they’ll contact you directly. This might happen if you’re self-employed and need to provide additional income proof, or if they need to verify your address history.

What if I’m declined?

If a lender declines your application, they’ll explain why. Common reasons include:

• Affordability concerns (repayments too high compared to your income)
• Credit history issues that breach their lending criteria
• Incomplete or incorrect information
• Existing debt commitments that limit affordability

Being declined by one lender doesn’t mean all lenders will decline you. Different lenders have different criteria. Through Sunny, you can see multiple options, increasing your approval chances.

If you’re declined by all lenders, it usually means borrowing more isn’t affordable right now. This protects you from taking on debt you can’t manage. Consider speaking with free debt advice services about alternatives.

Find your match today

Why you can count on Sunny:

• Over 1 million customers since 2022
• 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot (7,385 reviews)
• 7,500+ daily quotes processed
• FCA-authorised broker and lenders
• Never any fees from Sunny
• Soft credit check won’t affect your score

Important Information

Representative example: Borrowing £1,000 over 18 months at 89% APR (fixed) means 18 monthly payments of £102.42. Total repayable: £1,843.60. Total interest: £843.60. Representative 89% APR. The rate you’re offered will depend on your circumstances and may be higher or lower.

Need debt help? If you’re struggling with existing debt, free advice is available from:

• StepChange: Free debt advice charity – www.stepchange.org
• Citizens Advice: Free, independent advice – www.citizensadvice.org.uk
• National Debtline: Free confidential advice – www.nationaldebtline.org