U.S. patent application number 13/951077 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-06 for insurance data management system.
This patent application is currently assigned to CLOUDBRIDGE, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is CLOUDBRIDE, LLC. Invention is credited to Brian J.X. Murphy.
Application Number | 20140039937 13/951077 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50026349 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140039937 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murphy; Brian J.X. |
February 6, 2014 |
Insurance Data Management System
Abstract
A system and method for the capture, storage and usage of
specific insurance underwriting and/or loss validation data
includes a handheld mobile computer device containing one or more
master forms in which insurance data is entered into the handheld
device, normally at the location of the insured home along with an
electronic signature of the insured and a geocode and time/date
stamp. The data is uploaded to a secure, structured database.
insurance data can also be entered, in a secure manner, via a
customer portal by the insured or from third party data sources.
The system includes software with the ability to pre-populate
standardized underwriting forms based on the collected data. The
system also manages electronic insurance quotes and bind orders as
well.
Inventors: |
Murphy; Brian J.X.; (Rye,
NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CLOUDBRIDE, LLC |
RYE |
NH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CLOUDBRIDGE, LLC
Rye
NH
|
Family ID: |
50026349 |
Appl. No.: |
13/951077 |
Filed: |
July 25, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61679130 |
Aug 3, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 40/08 20130101;
G06F 16/29 20190101; G06F 16/2428 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/4 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 40/08 20060101
G06Q040/08 |
Claims
1. An insurance portfolio data management system comprising: a
structured database containing insurance data for insurance
customers; at least one handheld mobile computing device that is
programmed to receive insurance data entered into one or more
master forms on the handheld device and upload the entered data to
the structured database, wherein the data entered into the master
form on the handheld unit is geocoded and time and date
stamped.
2. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein insurance data can also
be entered into the structured database via a customer portal or
from a third party data source.
3. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the insurance data in the
structured database is used to pre-populate one or more
standardized underwriting forms and the system further generates
pre-populated versions of the standardized underwriting forms in
electronic form.
4. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the handheld mobile
computing device further includes the ability to take photographs
and upload the photographs to the structured database, and then
associate those photographs/images with a dedicated tile that
corresponds to a specific customer
5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the handheld mobile
computing device further comprises a stylus and electronic
signature capability.
6. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the handheld mobile
computing device further comprises a stylus for the purposes of
marking static photographs or images.
7. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the handheld mobile
computing device further comprises a bar code reading
capability,
8. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the handheld mobile
computing device further comprises the ability to take video and
upload the video to the structured database.
9. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a document
scanner that is able to communicate with the handheld mobile
computing, device and wherein the handheld mobile computing device
has the ability to upload scanned documents to the structured
database.
10. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the handheld mobile
computing device further comprises a voice recording
capability.
11. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the handheld mobile
computer device includes a master form for in-taking an insurance
customer, another master form for collecting information regarding
home owner's insurance, and yet another master form for collecting
information regarding auto insurance.
12. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the handheld mobile
computer device includes a master form for validating property
losses.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains to a system and method for the
capture, storage and utilization of specific data of value in the
property and casualty insurance markets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention pertains to insurance portfolio data
management. More specifically, a system operating in accordance
with invention enables insurance agents to collect, collaborate and
analyze real-time structured data received from the field through a
handheld mobile device, through a customer website portal or
software app, or from third party data sources. The data can be
accessed by insurance customers, underwriters and/or agents, and
comprehensive electronic forms and reports are venerated. For
example, standardized underwriting forms, such as the Accord.RTM.
form or other format desired by a particular underwriter are
generated by the information stored in the insurance portfolio data
management system. Underwriters provide trackable insurance quotes
in electronic form to the insurance portfolio data management
system which in turn generates a quote report that is sent in
electronic form to licensed insurance agents. The licensed
insurance agents complete the transaction and bind coverage for the
insured, and then transmit a trackable bind order to the insurance
portfolio data management system which in turn generates a
trackable bind order that is sent to the respective
underwriter.
[0003] One of the primary features of the invention is to collect
data in the field via a handheld mobile computing device which
includes global positioning technology, such as a computer tablet
with the appropriate software, or other handheld GPS enabled mobile
input device. An employee for an insurance company for the system
administrator) can enter data in a master form on the handheld
device which desirably associates a geocode and a time/date stamp
with the information. The onsite data collection also optionally
includes the ability to add photographs, video, scanned documents
or voice messages as part of the geocoded and time/date stamped
record. The handheld mobile computing device also desirably
includes a stylus and an electronic signature capability, and
provides the binding of contracts through the electronic signature
capability. The stylus can also be used to superimpose handwritten
notes over a static photo or scanned document. It is also desirable
that the handheld mobile computing device have the ability to scan
barcodes The barcode scanning feature is a particularly effective
and efficient way to enter vehicle identification information, and
other information that make be encoded by bar code.
[0004] The insurance portfolio data management system can be used
in a variety of applications, but two preferred applications are
noted. The first preferred application is to use the mobile tool in
the field in order to gather fundamental data for insurance
procurement. Since fundamental data collection occurs in the field,
the system improves convenience to the customer and accuracy of the
collected information. The second preferred application is to use
the mobile tool when responding to a claim of an insured loss.
Again, the mobile device can be used to reliably and efficiently
collect onsite information regarding the validation of a loss. The
claims adjuster will then be better able to make a more informed
decision regarding coverage determinations.
[0005] In addition, the data collected can be integrated into
existing databases and management systems. The system can thus be
used as a stand-alone system or as a supplement to an existing
system. Commercial users of the system can be clustered in a
hierarchy that relates to their commercial structure. The hierarchy
allows managers and supervisors to review the dashboard metrics of
their direct reports, and can be customized for each commercial
subscriber.
[0006] Other features and objects of the invention will be apparent
to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the following drawings
and description thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating of an exemplary use
of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an example of well-known standardized insurance
underwriting form, branded as the Accord.RTM. form.
[0009] FIGS. 3A-3E are exemplary screenshots for the handheld
mobile unit fur onsite collection of insurance information
pertaining to customer intake and home owner's insurance.
[0010] FIGS. 4A-4D are exemplary screenshots on the handheld mobile
unit pertaining to the onsite collection of data pertaining to auto
insurance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, an insurance portfolio data management
system 10 operating in accordance with the invention preferably
receives uploaded, insurance data from several sources, and
organizes the data in one or more structured databases. The
insurance portfolio data management system 10 also interacts
electronically with insurance underwriters 20 and licensed
insurance agents 26. The administrator or subscriber of the
insurance portfolio data management system 10 engages an insurance
consumer 30 prior to entering data into the system 10. Data
collection can occur in a number of ways. Block 12 labeled
subscriber's handheld mobile computing unit is a handheld mobile
computing device that collects data which is uploaded to the
insurance portfolio data management system 10, as indicated by the
one-way arrow between the mobile unit 12 and system 10 in FIG. 1.
The system 10 contains one or more structured databases that can be
separated in order to segregate data collected for various
subscribers. Typical subscribers would be an insurance agent or a
claims adjustor service or a third party representative. On the
other hand, the system 10 can be implemented as a single database
for a single system administrator such as an insurance agency or a
claims adjustor. etc. . . .
[0012] The handheld mobile computing device 12 can be a laptop,
tablet or smartphone including global positioning technology with
appropriate software, or can be another type of handheld GPS
enabled mobile computing device. The preferred device 12 is a
tablet having a stylus. As mentioned above, an employee for the
insurance company, or the administrator or some other individual,
enters data into one or more master forms on the handheld device
12, which also preferably associates a geocode and a time and date
stamp with the information. It is also preferred that the handheld
mobile computing device 12 have the ability to take photographs and
video, and record voice messages as pan of the record and also
geocode and time and date stamp the photographs, video and voice
messages as well. Further. it is desirable that the handheld mobile
computing device 12 include electronic signature capability to
allow the binding of contracts on site with the stylus. Further, it
may be desirable to include a document scanner that can communicate
with the handheld mobile computing device 12 on site. The stylus
can be used to make electronic notes on geocoded/time and date
stamped photographs or scanned documents. In addition, as mentioned
above, it is desirable the handheld computing device include a bar
code scanning feature. The technical implementation of collecting
the data in the field and uploading the geocoded and time/date
stamped data to the insurance portfolio data management system 10
is preferably similar to the technical implementation described in
U.S. Pat. No 7,267,558. entitled "Method and Apparatus for Global
Relief Management", which issued on Sep. 4, 2007 and is hereby
incorporated by reference. The mobile handheld computing device
would normally include cellular and WiFi communication to upload
the data.
[0013] FIGS. 3A-3E are representative data input screens for the
handheld mobile computing device 12 for the onsite collection of
insurance data pertaining to home owner's insurance. FIG. 3A is a
representative customer "intake" page and includes a number of
fields pertaining to the identity of the homeowner and the location
of the home. FIG. 3B is the first screen on the "home" page and
includes fields pertaining to home construction parameters and the
usage of the property. FIG. 3C is a second screen of the "home"
page including fields pertaining to general information regarding
the residence such as whether business is conducted on premise, if
there are any employees at the residence, etc. FIG. 3C also prompts
the user to indicate whether any natural hazards are present and
illustrates a pop-up menu displayed on the screen prompting
specifically whether flooding, brush fire, forest fire, landslide
or none of these hazards are present. The screen also shows other
fields that are typically pertinent such as whether the dwelling is
for sale, whether the home is within 300 feet of a non-residential
property, or whether there is a trampoline on premise. FIG. 3D
illustrates another screen on the "home" page having fields
prompting for additional information such as other insurance with
this company, whether coverage has been declined or canceled in the
past three years, whether the applicant has been subject to
foreclosure, repossession or bankruptcy in the last five years,
indicted or convicted for a crime, whether insurance has been
transferred within the agency, or whether applicant owns any
recreational vehicles. Note that the instructions for filling out
the fields can be quite specific with respect to various state
laws. FIG. 3E is an example of the signature screen for the "home"
page illustrating the electronic signature capability of the
system. The electronic signature capability allows the home owner
to easily verify that the information that is collected onsite is
accurate as of the date of data collection. FIGS. 4A-4D show an
alternative set of screens including fields and questions pertinent
to auto insurance. The software can also include a help function if
desired. One of the most advantageous aspects of the invention is
the ability to collect accurate, verifiable data onsite in the
presence of the home owner using the handheld computing device 12.
The use of the handheld mobile computing device 12 onsite during
data collection should increase sales efficiency because it brings
the sales cycle to the consumer.
[0014] If a claims adjuster were to subscribe and use the system,
the adjuster could access policy data on the system pertaining to
the insurance customer with the alleged loss, and would also use
the handheld mobile computing device 12 to collect onsite data
verify the loss.
[0015] Referring again to FIG. 1, data can also be uploaded to the
insurance portfolio data management system 10 via a secure
(password protected) customer portal 14, preferably in the form of
a website or a customer app for a smart phone or tablet. The
double-sided arrow between the customer portal 14 and the insurance
portfolio data management system 10 in FIG. 1 indicates that data
can be uploaded from the customer portal 14 to the system 10, and
conversely can be downloaded from the system 10 to the customer.
The customer portal 14 would normally be used by a customer in
order to enter or supplement data into prompted fields, but is also
desirable to allow the insurance consumer 30 to review data
pertinent to their property or automobiles that is stored in the
one or more structured databases within the insurance portfolio
data management system 10. For example, the insured may wish to
download photographs, video or documents pertaining to their
property or insurance. The data collection center within the
insurance portfolio data management system 10 is secured and
protected. For example, it is highly preferred that the customer
portal have a secured website and consumer app, and that data
submitted by the insurance consumer through the customer portal 14
be securely transmitted to the collection center which itself is
secured and protected.
[0016] Data can also be uploaded to the insurance portfolio data
management system from third party data sources as illustrated by
block 16 in FIG. 1. Example of third party data sources include
credit scores from Dunn & Bradstreet, automobile history from
CarFax, tax assessment values, or LSD data which includes other
insurance related information.
[0017] Once the necessary data is collected, either from the master
forms on the handheld computing device 12 (e.g. FIGS. 3A-3E and
4A-4D), the customer portal 14 or from third party sources 16, the
insurance portfolio data management system 10 organizes the data in
the structured database, and then pre-populates one or more
standardized underwriting forms 18 which are electronically sent to
various underwriters 20. These pre-populated forms 18 contain
critical underwriting data. FIG. 2 is an example of a standardized
underwriting form, page 1 of 6, bearing the Accord.RTM. trademark.
The Accord.RTM. form is widely used throughout the insurance
industry and the insurance portfolio data management system 10
preferably has the ability to pre-populate such forms. It is
desired, however that the system 10 also be able to populate a
variety of other standardized underwriting, forms inasmuch as the
various underwriters may have different requirements. The system 10
may be configured with the ability to automatically send the
electronic, pre-populated underwriting forms 18 to the respective
underwriters 20, or alternatively the pre-populated underwriting
forms may be stored on a computer system and sent by email to the
various underwriters.
[0018] In addition to the standardized underwriting forms 18, the
system is capable of providing supplemental underwriting data, e.g.
photographs collected, by the handheld mobile computing device 12.
In this way, data collected from the handheld unit 12 or the
customer portal 14 or the third party data sources 16 that is more
comprehensive than the data on the typical standardized
underwriting, forms is efficiently provided, to the
underwriters.
[0019] Each underwriter 20 provides a trackable insurance quote 22
that is unique to the individual consumer risk profile (as compiled
through the process). The administrator of the insurance portfolio
data management system 10 (e.g., normally a certified licensed
insurance agent 26 subscribing to the system 10) then integrates
the quotes 22 into a standard electronic format (a quote report
24), and provides an analysis and recommendation to the insurance
consumer 30 regarding coverage, The licensed insurance agent 26
binds coverage for the insured 30, see reference numbers 28-30.
Upon review and approval by the insured 30, arrangements to bind
coverage 28 are completed by the insured 30 and the certified agent
26, and a trackable bind order 32 is electronically transmitted to
the insurance portfolio data management system 10. The trackable
bind order 32A is also electronically transmitted from the system
10 to the respective underwriter 20, see reference number 32A in
FIG. 1 to complete the process.
[0020] the administrator of the system 10, with the permission of
the insured 30, retains the underlying data and it is available to
the insured 30 via the secured web based portal 14. The
consumer/insured 30 is able to review, update and supplement their
data electronically via the customer portal 14 as time passes. The
subscribers of the system 10 are also able to access the data
integrated into existing, databases pertaining to their business.
Managers and supervisors can review this data and dashboard metrics
customized for their business.
[0021] The insurance agent (or insurance broker) is able, if
desired, to automatically reinitiate the process of marketing
insurance to the customers in the database on a periodic basis,
such as every three years, generally in the same manner as
discussed above. Consumers/insured 30 can opt in to electronic
communications from the administrator regarding weather advisories,
risk management protocols, and product/service offerings that may
reduce their risk profile, mitigate any future loss, and positively
impact their annual premiums. The system 10 should also improve
operational efficiency and simplify the work process in other ways
as well, such as reducing overhead.
[0022] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used
for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary
limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of
the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes
and are intended to be broadly construed. The different
configurations, systems, and method steps described herein may be
used alone or in combination with other configurations, systems and
method steps. It is to be expected that various equivalents,
alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *