U.S. patent application number 10/174515 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-06 for system and method for automatically generating automobile insurance certificates from a remote computer terminal.
Invention is credited to Chapman, Ellen, Chu, Patrick, Dean, Lloyd M., Isherwood, Kathy L..
Application Number | 20030028405 10/174515 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23286438 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030028405 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chapman, Ellen ; et
al. |
February 6, 2003 |
System and method for automatically generating automobile insurance
certificates from a remote computer terminal
Abstract
A system for generating automobile insurance certificates from a
remote computer terminal connected by a computer network to a
central computer, wherein an expiring automobile insurance policy
is identified by viewing on the remote computer terminal data,
stored on the central computer, relating to expiring policies and
an automobile insurance certificate relating to the expiring policy
is ordered electronically, in response to such identification, from
the remote computer terminal.
Inventors: |
Chapman, Ellen;
(Sicklerville, NJ) ; Chu, Patrick; (Voorhees,
NJ) ; Dean, Lloyd M.; (Florence, NJ) ;
Isherwood, Kathy L.; (Laurel Springs, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REED SMITH LLP
2500 One Liberty Place
1650 Market Street
Philadelphia
PA
19103-7301
US
|
Family ID: |
23286438 |
Appl. No.: |
10/174515 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10174515 |
Jun 18, 2002 |
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09329660 |
Jun 10, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 40/08 20130101;
G06Q 10/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/4 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of generating automobile insurance certificates from a
remote computer terminal connected by a computer network to a
central computer, comprising the steps of: identifying an expiring
automobile insurance policy by viewing on the remote computer
terminal data, stored on the central computer, relating to expiring
policies; and electronically ordering, in response to said
identifying step, an automobile insurance certificate relating to
the expiring policy from the remote computer terminal.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the automobile insurance
certificate is a renewal form.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the automobile insurance
certificate is a form providing evidence of insurance.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the automobile insurance
certificate is an FH1 form.
5. A method of generating an automobile insurance certificate from
a remote computer terminal connected by a computer network to a
central computer, comprising the steps of: inputting, into the
central computer, data relating to an expiring automobile insurance
policy from the remote computer terminal; and electronically
ordering an automobile insurance certificate relating to the
expiring policy from the remote computer terminal.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the automobile insurance
certificate is a cancellation form.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the automobile insurance
certificate is an FH4 form.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of inputting comprises
inputting data into a database stored on the central computer
denoting the cancellation of the automobile insurance policy.
9. A method in accordance with any of claims 1 through 8, further
comprising the step of: printing the automobile insurance
certificate.
10. A method in accordance with any of claims 1 through 8, wherein
the automobile insurance policy relates to a black car.
11. A system for generating automobile insurance certificates from
a remote computer terminal connected by a computer network to a
central computer, comprising: means for identifying an expiring
automobile insurance policy by viewing on the remote computer
terminal data, stored on the central computer, relating to expiring
policies; and means for electronically ordering an automobile
insurance certificate from the remote computer terminal relating to
the expiring policy in response to the identification of the
expiring policy.
12. A system for generating automobile insurance certificates from
a remote computer terminal connected by a computer network to a
central computer, comprising: a remote computer terminal; a central
computer; a database stored on said central computer in which data
relating to automobile insurance policies are stored; a software
interface for viewing data stored in said database from said remote
computer terminal; and a computer network connecting said remote
computer terminal with said central computer; wherein said software
interface allows a user of said remote computer terminal to
identify an expiring automobile insurance policy by viewing on said
remote computer terminal data, stored on said central computer,
relating to expiring policies; and wherein, said software interface
allows the user of said remote computer terminal to order
electronically, in response to the identification of the expiring
policy, an automobile insurance certificate from said remote
computer terminal relating to the expiring policy.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 09/329,660, filed Jun. 10, 1999 entitled "System and Method for
Automatically Generating Automobile Insurance Certificates From a
Remote Computer Terminal", the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to automobile
insurance and more particularly to generating automobile insurance
certificates from a remote computer terminal. Still more
particularly, the present invention relates to generating
automobile insurance certificates covering for hire automobiles
from a remote computer terminal.
[0004] 2. Description of the Background
[0005] A significant problem affecting the insurance industry with
regard to policies of insurance covering for hire vehicles is
correctly issuing forms required by state law that are necessary
for writing the policies. In certain states, such as New York,
stringent requirements exist as to the timing of the issuance of
certain forms, such as FH1 and FH4 forms. Complying with these
requirements is very burdensome using conventional methods. If the
requisite forms could be generated by an insurance agent without
the need for significant interaction with personnel at an insurance
carrier, substantial time and cost savings could be realized.
[0006] From the point of view of the insured, it would also be
desirable to shift as much of the responsibility as is possible for
handling the generation of such forms required by state or local
law from the carrier to the agent. While the agent typically has a
personal relationship with the insured and can work with the
insured to meet the insured's needs, the nature of an insurance
carrier renders such a personal relationship with the insured
difficult for it to achieve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to a system for generating
automobile insurance certificates from a remote computer terminal
connected by a computer network to a central computer. The remote
user identifies an expiring automobile insurance policy by viewing
on the remote computer terminal data, stored on the central
computer, relating to expiring policies. The user then orders
electronically, in response to such identification, an automobile
insurance certificate from the remote computer terminal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated
by consideration of the following detailed description of a
preferred embodiment of the present invention taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to
like parts and in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram in accordance with a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram in accordance with a second
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the operation of a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical user interface used to aid an
insurance agent in identifying expiring automobile insurance
policies in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a graphical user interface used to aid an
insurance agent in retrieving data relating to expiring automobile
insurance policies in accordance with a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a graphical user interface used to aid an
insurance agent in editing data relating to expiring automobile
insurance policies in accordance with a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates the data structure of a record used for
storing data relating to an automobile insurance policy in
accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates the data structure of a record used for
storing data relating to the status of an automobile insurance
policy in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a sample automobile insurance
cancellation notice in accordance with a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a sample automobile insurance renewal
policy in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of
the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements
that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present
invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other
elements found in a deal structuring system and method. Those of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are
desirable and/or required in order to implement the present
invention. However, because such elements are well known in the
art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of
the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not
provided herein.
[0020] The following definitions are provided to aid in
understanding the claims of the present application:
[0021] Automobile Insurance Certificate. A document that
constitutes evidence of insurance (or lack of insurance) of one or
more for hire vehicles in accordance with federal, state, local,
foreign, or international law and that complies with all formal
requirements imposed by applicable law. The term automobile
insurance certificate encompasses, but is not limited to, FH1 and
FH4 forms in use in the state of New York at the time of the filing
of the present application and other forms now or hereafter used
for similar purposes in New York and other states.
[0022] Black car. A for hire passenger vehicle that cannot be hired
by flagging it down from the street. A black car is typically
required to be a relatively new luxury sedan, such as a black
Lincoln Town Car, driven by a driver with an excellent driving
record. Black cars are considered to offer a low risk profile for
insurance purposes. The term black car is intended to encompass its
meaning within applicable statutes and regulations in the borough
of Manhattan in New York City at the time of filing of the present
application, as well as substantially comparable types of for hire
vehicles elsewhere and at other times.
[0023] Central computer. A computer that serves as the primary
repository of certain data. A central computer may be a mainframe,
minicomputer, microcomputer (including a personal computer), or
other type of computer and is linked to other computing devices by
permanent network connections (such as local area networks
(hereinafter "LAN's")) or temporary network connections (such as
connections by modems over standard telephone lines). A central
computer that is a personal computer may, but need not, be a file
or application server.
[0024] Computer network. A computer network is a group of computers
and associated devices that are connected together by permanent
connections, such as cables, or temporary connections, such as
telephone links. Examples of computer networks are LAN's, wide area
networks (hereinafter "WAN's"), the Internet, including the Web,
on-line services, such as America-On-Line, and intranets.
[0025] Expiring. An expiring automobile insurance policy is one
that will be cancelled in the near future in the absence of
remedial action by the insured. An automobile insurance policy
typically is considered to be expiring due to the failure of the
insured to pay premiums due on the policy, but can also be
considered to be expiring for other reasons, such as the passage of
time. A policy is considered to be expiring from the date on which
it is determined that the policy is expiring through the date on
which the policy is cancelled or officially determined no longer to
be expiring. Thus, a policy is considered to be expiring in the
case of a failure to pay premiums from the date on which the
insurance agent or carrier first determines that the premiums have
not been timely paid until (and including) the date on which the
policy is reinstated, a renewal policy is issued, or an official
notation is made in a file or database, as may be appropriate, even
though the premiums due may have been paid at an intermediate
date.
[0026] File. A file is intended to include a paper file and its
contents, namely data relating to a particular matter, such as a
particular insurance policy or insured, and also similar data
stored on a computer in a computer database or other computer
file.
[0027] For hire passenger vehicle. Any passenger vehicle that is
both an automobile and available for hire, including, but not
limited to, black cars, gray cars, limousines, silver cars, and
taxis.
[0028] Insurance agent. An individual or business engaged in
selling or marketing insurance to the operators or owners of for
hire passenger vehicles. The insurance agent may be, but often is
not, also the insurance carrier.
[0029] Insurance carrier. A business engaged in insuring for hire
passenger vehicles. The insurance carrier may, but often does not,
sell policies of insurance directly to the operators or owners of
the for hire passenger vehicles. An insurance carrier may, but need
not, seek to limit its liability by obtaining reinsurance relating
to a portion of the risk that it is assuming under any particular
policy.
[0030] Remote terminal. Any dumb terminal, computer workstation, or
other computing device connected by a network connection to a
central computer.
[0031] Software interface. A software program that aids a computer
user in interacting with computer hardware and with data. In
particular, the term software interface is intended to include any
program that a user uses to enter, edit, view, or otherwise
manipulate data contained in a database. Such a software interface
is typically intended both to simplify the process of manipulating
such data from the user's point of view and also to restrict the
actions that a user may take with respect to such data.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a
first preferred embodiment of a system 100 for generating
automobile insurance certificates from a remote computer terminal.
This embodiment (hereinafter the "Basic Black Car Embodiment")
relates particularly to automobile insurance certificates relating
to policies of insurance on black cars. A remote computer terminal
104 in the form of a personal computer running the Windows 95.TM.
operating system and the Citrix.TM. middleware program at the
insurance agent is connected to printer 108 and is also connected
by secure private network 106 to a central computer 124 in the form
of a Citrix.TM. Winframe Enterprise Server at the central office
122 of the insurance carrier. Secure private network 106 may be a
value added network, such as that which is accessed through the
well known IVANS front end. Stored in the central computer are a
policy status database 128 containing data relating to automobile
insurance policies and their status vis--vis cancellation and a
software interface 126 used for accessing and manipulating data
stored in database 128.
[0033] WAN 140 links central computer 124 and mainframe 136 at
central office 122 to LAN 142 at data entry center 138 of the
insurance carrier. Mainframe 136 has stored in it certain software
applications collectively referred to as main systems 134 (relating
to other aspects of the insurance carrier's business, such as
underwriting and claims handling) and main database 132 containing
data relating to main systems 134. Data are automatically extracted
from main database 132 on a weekly basis and fed as a weekly update
130 into policy status database 128 by methods that are well known
to those skilled in the database arts.
[0034] A remote computer terminal 146 in the form of a personal
computer is connected to LAN 142 at data entry center 138. Remote
computer terminal 146 is also connected to printer 148.
Cancellations 144 of existing automobile insurance policies
(typically due to expiration of policies without timely renewal)
are generated automatically by the system from database records.
These cancellations are then sent to remote computer terminal 146
for viewing or printing. Print orders may be entered at remote
computer terminal 146, resulting in the transmission of data 150
sufficient for the printing of insurance policy cancellation
notices 112 in the form of New York State FH4 forms at data entry
center 138 and the transmission of a cancellation report 110 for
printing at the office of the insurance agent 102. Cancellation
processing 118, with the aid of software interface 126 and policy
status database 128, may also be performed on remote computer
terminal 104 and printed on printer 108 at the office of insurance
agent 102. Similarly, the processing 116, with the aid of software
interface 126 and policy status database 128, related to insurance
policy renewals 114 (in the form of New York State FH1 forms),
either before or after the preparation of insurance policy
cancellation notices 112 may be performed at either remote computer
terminal 104 or remote computer terminal 146.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter the "State and
FinCo Black Car Embodiment") is set forth. The State and FinCo
Black Car Embodiment is identical to that of the Basic Black Car
Embodiment with certain additions that will be described in the
following paragraphs.
[0036] A remote computer terminal 204 in the form of a personal
computer running the Windows operating system and the Citrix
middleware application at a state department of motor vehicles 202
(for the state of the insured vehicles in question) is connected to
central computer 124 by a network connection as well as to a local
printer 206 at the state department of motor vehicles 202.
Cancellation notices 112 and renewal forms 114 may be printed
automatically at printer 206 when processed by the system. In
addition, a user at the state department of motor vehicles may view
on remote computer terminal 204 any currently outstanding
cancellation notice and any currently valid renewal form and print
on printer 206 any such cancellation notice or renewal form.
[0037] A remote computer terminal 210 in the form of a personal
computer running the Windows operating system and the Citrix
middleware application at a finance company 208 (involved in
financing the insurance of the insured vehicles in question) is
connected to central computer 124 by a network connection as well
as to a local printer 212 at the finance company 208. Cancellation
notices 112, and renewal forms 114, relating to policies the
finance company is financing may be printed automatically at
printer 212 when processed by the system. In addition, a user at
finance company may view on remote computer terminal 210 any
currently outstanding cancellation notice, and any currently valid
renewal form, relating to policies the finance company is financing
and print on printer 212 any such cancellation notice or renewal
form.
[0038] One skilled in the art will recognize, of course, that
additional embodiments combining elements relating to either
finance company 208 or state department of motor vehicles 202, but
not both, with the Basic Black Car Embodiment are possible, as are
embodiments relating to insurance of other classes of for hire
automobiles.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 3, the process begins with the entry
of data regarding an expiring policy. In the Black Car Embodiment,
an insurance agent typically receives a notice from a finance
company stating that an insured has failed to pay premiums due on a
policy. The insurance agent then enters data from that notice into
policy status database 128 by means of software interface 126 from
remote terminal 104 in step 300. In the State and FinCo Embodiment,
such data is entered into policy status database 128 by means of
software interface 126 from remote terminal 210 by an employee of
the finance company. The data entered should include at least a
date on which the policy will be cancelled if appropriate action is
not taken by the insured prior to that date. In the Black Car
Embodiment, this date is typically fifty days from the date the
notice is received from the finance company and is stored in the
"Expiration_Date" field of table 700 described below. The insurance
agent then orders a cancellation form electronically in step 302
using screens 500 and 600 as discussed below.
[0040] The insurance agent then need take no further action with
respect to the expiring policy until reminded by the system on the
date of cancellation, at which time the agent either cancels the
policy or issues a renewal form. In step 304, the insurance agent
begins by launching software interface 126 from remote terminal 104
on the date of cancellation. Although the application is launched
from the remote terminal, it actually runs on central computer 124
and is accessed through a Citrix connection. Security is provided
by the operator of secure private network 106, taking advantage of
features available in Citrix Winframe Server. FIG. 4 illustrates a
startup screen 400 forming a part of software interface 126.
Startup screen 400 provides a notification of the existence of
expiring policies requiring agent action and also provides a button
402 for accessing a list of such policies.
[0041] The list of expiring policies is generated automatically by
the system on a periodic basis, preferably daily. Software
interface 126 running on central computer 124 compares the
cancellation date of each policy of insurance with the current
date. The cancellation date of each policy of insurance is stored
in table 700, described below, in the "Expiration_Date" field.
Therefore, an SQL query selecting one or more fields including the
policy number field where the system date equals the
Expiration_Date field will retrieve the data records relating to
all expiring policies of insurance on which action must be taken.
These records are then presented in user-friendly fashion as is set
forth below.
[0042] The agent retrieves electronically the data in an insured's
file with the aid of screens 500 and 600. FIG. 5 illustrates a
screen 500, forming a part of software interface 126, that sets
forth the results of a search on either a policy number or an
insured's name in grid 502. By clicking on any column of a row
relating to an expiring policy shown in grid 502, the user may
navigate to screen 600, shown in FIG. 6, with data relating to the
expiring policy displayed on that screen. Information relating to
the policy itself, including the policy number, carrier, expiration
date, and cancellation status, is displayed in region 602. Required
information relating to the insured, including the insured's name
and address, is displayed in region 604, while optional information
relating to the insured's identification number is displayed in
region 606. Information relating to the insured vehicle is
displayed in region 608. The data displayed in any of regions 602
through 608 may be edited by the agent. Region 612 displays
transaction information that must be entered by the agent. Radio
group 610 in region 612 allows the agent to select FH1 to perform a
renewal transaction or FH4 to perform a cancellation
transaction.
[0043] If the insured has not taken appropriate action to avoid
cancellation of the policy, such as paying premiums due, the agent
proceeds to cancel the policy in step 306. In some embodiments, no
action need be taken and the policy will be cancelled automatically
as soon as the cancellation date passes. In other embodiments, the
agent might be required to edit a field in database table 700, such
as the "Policy_Status" field. In the Black Car Embodiment, the
agent must cancel the policy by entering data into a Commercial
Automobile Module, which is a part of main database 132. If the
insured has taken appropriate action, such as paying all premiums
due prior to the cancellation date, the agent proceeds to enter
renewal data in step 308. This data will comprise at least a
notation that the policy is no longer expiring. Typically, the data
would include as well the date on which the policy is being
renewed, and, optionally, details regarding any payments of
premiums that may have been made.
[0044] In step 310 (or in step 302, as discussed above), the agent
electronically orders an automobile insurance certificate from a
remote terminal. The automobile insurance certificate may be a
renewal policy (in step 310) or a cancellation certificate (in step
302). At this point, the insurance carrier may optionally verify
compliance with its underwriting standards in the case of a renewal
policy. Alternatively, the insurance carrier may conduct such
verification either prior to the initial identification of each
expiring policy (e.g., by classifying each expiring policy prior to
expiration) or subsequent to the ordering of the renewal policy in
step 310.
[0045] Thereafter, an automobile insurance certificate may be
printed by clicking on button 614 on screen 600, which causes a
cancellation notice or renewal policy to be printed, depending on
the selection in radio group 610.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, policy status database 128 (see
FIG. 1) may be implemented using a commercial off-the-shelf
relational database, such as Microsoft Access.TM.. FIG. 7 sets
forth some of the fields in a table used in implementing the Basic
Black Car Embodiment. The data entered into each text box in screen
600 (see FIG. 6) is stored in a separate field in table 700 that is
linked programmatically to the corresponding text boxes in screen
600, as is well known in the database programming arts. The types
of the fields are text, number, or date/time as is appropriate
based on the underlying data stored in such fields.
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates a table 800 used to store transactions
related to policies, stored in table 700 (see FIG. 7). Table 800 is
related to table 700 in a many-to-one relationship, with policy
number field 802 being the foreign key in table 800. The types of
transactions stored in table 800 in a transaction type field
include cancellations and renewals. Transaction and effective dates
are also stored, as are control numbers, cancellation status, the
identity of the agent performing a transaction, and the reason for
entering any renewal. The data are stored in text, number, or
date/time fields, as is appropriate.
[0048] FIG. 9 illustrates a sample cancellation notice in the Basic
Black Car Embodiment prepared in accordance with New York State law
and regulations at the time of filing of the present application.
FIG. 10 similarly illustrates a sample renewal policy in the Basic
Black Car Embodiment prepared in accordance with New York State law
and regulations at the time of filing of the present
application.
[0049] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of
the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the
appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as
indicating the scope of the invention.
[0050] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations may be made in the apparatus and
process of the present invention without departing from the spirit
or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present
invention cover the modification and variations of this invention
provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *