How Orlo Times Your Reminders
Orlo does not send one generic "renewal coming up" reminder. The AI reads what kind of document it is and picks a schedule that matches how that document actually works in real life. This article explains the logic behind each schedule so you know what to expect.
Renewals and expiries
Insurance policies, MOT certificates, vehicle tax, memberships, and compliance certificates (gas safety, EPC, EICR) all follow the same pattern: 6 weeks, 2 weeks, and 3 days before the date. This gives you enough time to shop around, book an inspection, or arrange a renewal before the final notice.
Passports and visas
Travel documents get an earlier first warning — 6 months, 3 months, and 1 month before expiry — because many countries refuse entry unless your passport has at least 6 months of validity left, and passport renewals themselves can take weeks.
Single deadlines
Tax filing deadlines, warranty expiries, and contract end dates get 3 months, 1 month, and 1 week before the date, so you have time to prepare rather than just be told at the last minute. School letters and permission slips are the exception — since reply-by dates are often only days away, those get a shorter 3 days and 1 day warning instead.
Payment schedules and instalments
UK council tax bills and similar instalment plans get one reminder per instalment, 3 days before each one is due, up to a maximum of 8 reminders. If there are more than 8 instalments, Orlo prioritises the next one coming up and spaces the rest out monthly.
Bookings, events, and appointments
Travel bookings, event tickets, and medical appointments get a 7-day and 1-day reminder. Prescriptions are a special case: Orlo assumes a 28-day supply and reminds you to request a repeat 3 weeks in, so you are not left without medication.
Receipts
For purchases made in the last 30 days, Orlo assumes a standard 30-day return window and reminds you 16 days and 2 days after purchase, so you don't miss the chance to return something. Older receipts don't get return reminders — the AI only suggests dates that are still useful.
Where the dates actually come from
Every reminder date must come from something written on the document itself, or a sensible offset from it (like "3 days before the due date"). Orlo never invents a date that isn't grounded in what you uploaded. If a document doesn't give the AI anything reliable to work with, no reminder is suggested — you can always add one manually from the document page instead.
You can accept or dismiss any suggested reminder individually, and adjust the date on any active reminder at any time. See the Reminders section of the FAQ for how to customise them.