Policy activation date overview
Soda allows you to complete your entire policy setup today while giving you the flexibility to schedule when your policy actually goes live. This means you can:
- Complete setup immediately: Finish all configuration, upload employees, and add payment methods (for verification / security deposit purposes)
- Choose activation timing: Activate your policy today or schedule it for any future date
- Plan ahead: Set up your policy in advance of when you need coverage to begin
Key benefits:
- Complete setup at your convenience
- Schedule activation to align with your business needs
- Employees and billing begin only when the policy goes live
- No need to rush setup when you need coverage to start
Welcome emails:
- Covered employees receive welcome emails immediately after policy activation
- If you activate today, emails are sent right away
- If you schedule for a future date, emails are sent automatically on that date
- Welcome emails contain setup instructions and access information
How to set your policy activation date
Step 1: Access the activation date setting
During policy activation:
- After uploading employees and adding payment methods, you'll reach the "Activate your policy" step
- In the "When you will be charged" section, you'll see "Policy goes live from today" with an "Edit" button
- Click the "Edit" button to open the date selection modal
Step 2: Choose your activation date
The "Set policy go-live date" modal will appear with two options:
Option 1: Today
- What it means: Your policy will start right away
-
When charges occur:
- Refundable deposit charged immediately
- Monthly billing begins from today
- Benefits available immediately after activation
- Best for: Companies that need coverage to start immediately
Option 2: On a specific date
- What it means: Choose a future date for your policy to begin
-
When charges occur:
- Refundable deposit charged when you complete setup (today)
- Policy and billing begin from your selected future date
- Benefits become available on the selected date
- Best for: Companies planning ahead or aligning with fiscal periods
Step 3: Select your date (if choosing future date)
- Click "On a specific date" radio button
- A date picker will appear
- Select your desired activation date
- Review the description: "Choose a future date. Your policy and billing will begin from that day."
Step 4: Confirm your selection
- Review your choice
- Click "Confirm" to save your selection
- The modal will close and return you to the activation screen
- The "When you will be charged" section will update to reflect your selected date
Step 5: Complete activation
- Review the updated charge schedule
- Verify payment method is correct
- Accept terms and conditions
- Complete the activation process
Understanding the charge schedule
If you activate today:
Charge breakdown:
- Today: Refundable deposit (charged immediately upon activation)
- Next billing cycle: Platform fee (if applicable) + benefits usage
- Each month thereafter: Platform fee (if applicable) + benefits usage
If you schedule for a future date:
Charge breakdown:
- Today (setup completion): Refundable deposit (charged when you complete setup)
- On selected date (policy go-live): Policy activates, billing cycle begins
- Next billing cycle: Platform fee (if applicable) + benefits usage (starts from go-live date)
- Each month thereafter: Platform fee (if applicable) + benefits usage
Important notes:
- The refundable deposit is charged when you complete setup, regardless of go-live date
- Monthly billing and benefits usage begin only when the policy goes live
- The billing cycle is calculated from the go-live date, not the setup date
When to use each option
Choose "Today" if:
- You need coverage to start immediately
- Employees are ready to use benefits right away
- You want to begin billing immediately
- You're completing setup close to when you need coverage
Choose "On a specific date" if:
- You're planning ahead for a specific start date
- You want to align activation with a fiscal period or budget cycle
- You need time to communicate with employees before benefits go live
- You're setting up multiple policies with coordinated start dates
- You want to complete setup now but start coverage later
Editing your activation date
Before completing activation:
- You can change the activation date at any time before finalizing activation
- Click "Edit" next to the policy go-live date
- Select a new date option
- Confirm your selection
- The charge schedule will update automatically
After completing setup (but before go-live):
- If you've completed setup but the policy hasn't gone live yet, contact support to change the date
- Changes may be possible depending on timing and circumstances
- Support can help adjust the go-live date if needed
After policy has gone live:
- Once the policy is active, the go-live date cannot be changed
- The date is locked in as the start of your policy year
- Contact support if you have questions about your policy start date
Common questions
Q: Can I complete setup today but activate the policy next month?
A: Yes! That's exactly what this feature is for. You can finish all setup steps today, pay the refundable deposit, and schedule the policy to go live on any future date you choose.
Q: When is the refundable deposit charged?
A: The refundable deposit is charged when you complete the setup process, regardless of whether you choose to activate today or schedule for a future date. This secures your policy and allows you to complete setup in advance.
Q: When do employees receive welcome emails?
A: Covered employees receive welcome emails immediately after the policy is activated. This means:
- If you activate today, welcome emails are sent right away
- If you schedule for a future date, welcome emails are sent automatically on that date when the policy goes live
- Emails are sent only when the policy actually activates, not when you complete setup
Q: Can employees use benefits before the go-live date?
A: No, benefits are only available from the go-live date onwards. Even if you complete setup today, employees cannot access benefits until the scheduled activation date.
Q: How far in advance can I schedule activation?
A: You can schedule activation for any future date. There's no maximum limit, but consider that your refundable deposit is charged at setup completion.
Q: Will I be charged monthly fees before the go-live date?
A: No, monthly platform fees and benefits usage charges only begin when the policy goes live on your selected date. Only the refundable deposit is charged at setup.
Q: What happens if I complete setup but forget to set a go-live date?
A: The default is "Today," so if you don't explicitly choose a future date, your policy will activate immediately upon completing setup.
Q: Can I set different go-live dates for different plans?
A: Currently all plans under the same policy have the same activation date.
Q: What if my selected go-live date falls on a weekend or holiday?
A: The policy will go live on the exact date you select, regardless of whether it's a weekday, weekend, or holiday. Billing cycles will be calculated from that date.
Q: Do I need to do anything on the go-live date?
A: No, the activation happens automatically. Covered employees will receive welcome emails immediately after activation, and benefits will become available. You don't need to take any action on the go-live date.