Bridgecrest does not have a formal skip-a-payment program

Bridgecrest Financial, which services auto loans and other installment contracts, does not advertise a skip-a-payment option as a standard program feature. If you are behind on a Bridgecrest loan or facing a month where you cannot pay on time, skipping a scheduled payment without arrangement will be reported as a missed payment and damage your credit report.

That said, Bridgecrest does work with borrowers on payment arrangements when hardship occurs. The route forward depends on your specific situation—whether you need a one-time delay, a restructured payment plan, or a deferment that pushes payments forward. None of these are automatic, and none are called "skip-a-payment," but they exist as options if you contact the company before your payment is due.

Key Takeaways

  • Bridgecrest has no published skip-a-payment program, so missing a payment without prior arrangement will show as delinquent on your credit report.
  • You can contact Bridgecrest's loss mitigation team to discuss a one-time payment delay, payment plan modification, or deferment if you are facing hardship.
  • Calling before your payment due date gives you the best chance of working out an arrangement that does not trigger a late report.
  • Any arrangement Bridgecrest agrees to will be documented in writing, so request confirmation of the terms and how it affects your loan timeline.

How to request a payment delay or arrangement with Bridgecrest

Contact Bridgecrest's customer service line as soon as you know you cannot make a payment on time. The number is on your loan documents or billing statement. Explain your situation clearly—job loss, medical expense, temporary income reduction—and ask whether they can offer a one-time payment delay, a modified payment schedule, or a deferment.

Bridgecrest's loss mitigation team handles these requests. They are not obligated to grant one, but they have authority to work with borrowers who communicate early. If they agree to delay a payment, ask them to confirm in writing what the new due date is, whether interest continues to accrue, and how the arrangement affects your loan's end date. Do not rely on a verbal agreement alone.

If you are already behind, the same process applies, but your options narrow. A payment plan that catches you up over several months is more likely than a skip or deferment once delinquency has been reported.

What happens if you miss a payment without contacting Bridgecrest first

A missed payment on a Bridgecrest loan is reported to the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) after 30 days of non-payment. This appears on your credit report as a late payment and lowers your credit score. The damage is when ready and visible to any lender you explore to in the future.

Bridgecrest may also charge a late fee, which varies by your loan agreement. After 60 days of non-payment, the account may be flagged for further collection action. After 120 days, Bridgecrest may begin repossession proceedings if the loan is secured by a vehicle.

Contacting Bridgecrest before the payment is due prevents this sequence. Even a conversation that results in a partial payment or a documented delay is better than silence.

Deferment versus payment plan: what Bridgecrest may offer

A deferment pushes one or more payments to the end of your loan. You do not pay this month, but the payment is added to your final payment or spread across the remaining months. Interest usually continues to accrue during the deferment period, so you pay more overall. Deferments are typically offered once per loan and only in cases of genuine hardship.

A payment plan modification restructures your remaining payments. If you cannot afford your current monthly payment, Bridgecrest may lower it by extending your loan term. This spreads the debt over more months, reducing each payment but increasing total interest paid. This is more common than deferment and may be offered multiple times.

A one-time payment delay moves your next payment due date forward by 30 days without changing the loan structure. You still owe the full amount; the due date straightforward shifts. This is the easiest arrangement to obtain if your hardship is temporary.

Ask Bridgecrest which option they can offer and request the terms in writing before you agree.

Documents and information you will need to discuss with Bridgecrest

Have your loan number and account information ready when you call. Bridgecrest will verify your identity and pull up your account details. Be prepared to explain your hardship clearly and briefly—job loss, reduced hours, medical emergency, or other temporary income disruption.

If Bridgecrest asks for documentation, they may request a recent pay stub, a letter from your employer confirming reduced hours, or a medical bill. Not all requests for arrangement require documentation, but having it available speeds the process. Keep copies of any written agreement Bridgecrest sends you.

What to do if Bridgecrest denies your request

If Bridgecrest declines to offer a delay, deferment, or modified payment plan, you have limited options. You can ask to speak with a supervisor or the loss mitigation department directly, though the answer may not change. You can also explore whether a personal loan from another lender, a payment from family, or a local hardship fund can cover the payment.

If you are facing repossession or foreclosure, contact a HUD-approved housing counselor (for mortgage issues) or a nonprofit credit counselor through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). These services are free or low-cost and may identify options you have not considered. They can also help you understand your rights under state law, which vary.

If you believe Bridgecrest has violated consumer protection laws—for example, by refusing to work with you on a hardship arrangement without legitimate reason—you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints and can compel responses from lenders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip a payment if I pay extra the month before?

No. Bridgecrest does not recognize advance payments as permission to skip a future payment. Each payment is due on its scheduled date. If you want to pay ahead, you can, but you still owe the next scheduled payment on time unless you have a documented arrangement with Bridgecrest.

Will a payment delay hurt my credit score?

A documented delay or deferment that Bridgecrest agrees to in writing should not be reported as a late payment, so it should not damage your credit. A missed payment that you do not arrange with Bridgecrest will be reported as delinquent and will lower your score. Always get the arrangement in writing before you skip a payment.

What if I have a Bridgecrest auto loan and the car breaks down?

A mechanical breakdown does not automatically may have access to you to a payment delay. However, if the repair cost is causing genuine hardship, you can still contact Bridgecrest and explain the situation. They may offer a temporary arrangement, but it is not may provide. The loan obligation remains separate from the vehicle's condition.

How long does a deferment last?

A deferment typically covers one to three months, depending on Bridgecrest's policy and your agreement. The deferred payment is added to your loan balance or spread across remaining payments. Ask Bridgecrest for the exact terms in writing, including how long the deferment lasts and when regular payments resume.

Can I request a payment delay over the phone, or do I need to explore in writing?

You can start the conversation over the phone, but Bridgecrest will send written confirmation of any arrangement they agree to. Do not assume a verbal agreement is binding. Wait for the written document, review it carefully, and keep a copy for your records.