It’s best to be upfront with the lender rather than having the lender chase you. Let the lender know as soon as you anticipate having difficulty making your payments. A lender is a lot more likely to be sympathetic if you proactively reach out to them, rather than if they have to chase you down for late payments. If there’s a life event such as a job loss or a family member falling ill, let the lender know. They’re a lot more likely to be sympathetic to your situation and come up with a repayment schedule that works for you.