Method and system for automating insurance processes

• US 20040186750A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Adam Sandler, Anthony Siggers, Gordon Surbey, Howard Green, Timothy Wright
• Original Assignee: Adam Sandler, Anthony Siggers, Gordon Surbey, Howard Green, Timothy Wright
• Inventors: Wright, Timothy, Green, Howard, Sandler, Adam, Siggers, Anthony, Surbey, Gordon
• Application Number:
  US10/391,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20040186750A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A method is disclosed for creating a customized folder structure for a web-enabled collaborative insurance process. The method includes, for each of a plurality of users, automatically creating a plurality of standardized folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process. The method also includes, automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized folders into a folder structure and providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized folders.

Claims

1. A computer-aided method for managing a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of insurance transactions,

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of standardized computer document folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized computer document folders into a folder structure; and

providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized computer document folders;

providing an insurance data entry template having a plurality of fields that meet an insurance industry standard for the computerized submission of exposure information; and

receiving the insurance data entry template with data in each of the plurality of fields;

automatically creating a computer-based insurance quotation request based on the insurance data entry template and having a message and a document containing insurance requirements and exposure information;

simultaneously sending by e-mail a hyperlink to the computer-based insurance quotation request to a plurality of insurers; and

representing the insurance transaction as a hyperlinked line item on a computer display.

2. The computer-aided method of claim 1, further comprising:

hyperlinking each represented insurance transaction to a plurality of related messages.

3. A method for operating a networked computer system to manage a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of insurance transactions,

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of standardized computer document folders consistent with a role of the user in a computerized collaborative insurance process;

automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized computer document folders into a folder structure; and

providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized computer document folders;

providing an insurance data entry template having a plurality of fields that meet an insurance industry standard for the computerized submission of exposure information; and

receiving the insurance data entry template with data in each of the plurality of fields;

automatically creating a computer-based insurance quotation request based on the insurance data entry template and having a message and a document containing insurance requirements and exposure information;

simultaneously sending by e-mail a hyperlink to the computer-based insurance quotation request to a plurality of insurers; and

representing the insurance transaction as a hyperlinked line item on a computer display.

4. A method for operating at least one information device having a processor, a memory containing instructions, an input device, an output device, and a network interface, the at least one information device attachable to a network, to manage a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the method comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of insurance transactions,

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of standardized computer document folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized computer document folders into a folder structure; and

providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized computer document folders;

providing an insurance data entry template having a plurality of fields that meet an insurance industry standard for the computerized submission of exposure information; and

receiving the insurance data entry template with data in each of the plurality of fields;

automatically creating a computer-based insurance quotation request based on the insurance data entry template and having a message and a document containing insurance requirements and exposure information;

simultaneously sending by e-mail a hyperlink to the computer-based insurance quotation request to a plurality of insurers; and

representing the insurance transaction as a hyperlinked line item on a computer display.

5. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

for each of a plurality of insurance transactions,

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of standardized computer document folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized computer document folders into a folder structure; and

providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized computer document folders;

providing an insurance data entry template having a plurality of fields that meet an insurance industry standard for the computerized submission of exposure information; and

receiving the insurance data entry template with data in each of the plurality of fields;

automatically creating a computer-based insurance quotation request based on the insurance data entry template and having a message and a document containing insurance requirements and exposure information;

simultaneously sending by e-mail a hyperlink to the computer-based insurance quotation request to a plurality of insurers; and

representing the insurance transaction as a hyperlinked line item on a computer display.

6. An information device comprising:

a processor,

a memory containing a plurality of instructions,

an input device,

an output device, and

a network interface,

said information device attachable to a network to manage a web-enabled collaborative insurance process,

said instructions related to activities including;

for each of a plurality of insurance transactions,

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of standardized computer document folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized computer document folders into a folder structure; and

providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized computer document folders;

providing an insurance data entry template having a plurality of fields that meet an insurance industry standard for the computerized submission of exposure information; and

receiving the insurance data entry template with data in each of the plurality of fields;

automatically creating a computer-based insurance quotation request based on the insurance data entry template and having a message and a document containing insurance requirements and exposure information;

simultaneously sending by e-mail a hyperlink to the computer-based insurance quotation request to a plurality of insurers; and

representing the insurance transaction as a hyperlinked line item on a computer display.

7. A computer-based system for managing a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising:

for each of a plurality of insurance transactions,

for each of a plurality of users,

means for automatically creating a plurality of standardized computer document folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

means for automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized computer document folders into a folder structure; and

means for providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized computer document folders;

means for providing an insurance data entry template having a plurality of fields that meet an insurance industry standard for the computerized submission of exposure information; and

means for receiving the insurance data entry template with data in each of the plurality of fields;

means for automatically creating a computer-based insurance quotation request based on the insurance data entry template and having a message and a document containing insurance requirements and exposure information;

means for simultaneously sending by e-mail a hyperlink to the computer-based insurance quotation request to a plurality of insurers; and

means for representing the insurance transaction as a hyperlinked line item on a computer display.

8. A computer-aided method for creating a customized folder structure for a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of standardized folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized folders into a folder structure; and

providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized folders, and

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail for each insurance transaction associated with the folder structure, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each user'"'"'s access of each document and message.

9. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

requesting an identity of the user.

10. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

requesting the role of the user.

11. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving an identity of the user.

12. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving the role of the user.

13. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a type of insurance transaction, wherein the plurality of standardized folders are consistent with the type of insurance transaction.

14. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

obtaining an identity of the user.

15. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

obtaining the role of the user.

16. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically assigning security settings to each standardized folder from the plurality of folders in the folder.

17. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

identifying the user as a client.

18. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

identifying the user as a broker.

19. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

identifying the user as an insurer.

20. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving from the user an identification of a client.

21. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving from the user an applicable policy year.

22. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving from the user an identification of a desired action.

23. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving from the user a transaction type.

24. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing a folder for documents.

25. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing a folder for messages.

26. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing a folder for templates.

27. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing a web page customized to the user'"'"'s role in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

28. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing a web page customized to the user'"'"'s role in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the web page including tabs indicative of aspects of the web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

29. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing a web page customized to the user'"'"'s role in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the web page including a plurality of tabs, each tab indicative of an aspect of the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, each tab activatable to display a collection of tools relevant to the indicated aspect.

30. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing a web page customized to the user'"'"'s role in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the web page including the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized folders.

31. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

graphically displaying the audit trail.

32. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing an audit trail to track messages.

33. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing an audit trail to track messages associated with the web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

34. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing an audit trail to track messages associated with a transaction in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

35. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing an audit trail to track documents.

36. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing an audit trail to track documents associated with the web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

37. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing an audit trail to track documents associated with a transaction in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

38. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail to track documents associated with a transaction in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

39. The computer-aided method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of standardized folders are consistent with a desired type of insurance transaction.

40. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

notifying the user of an event in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

41. The computer-aided method of claim 8, further comprising:

notifying the user of a collaborative event in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

42. A method for operating a networked computer system to create a customized folder structure for a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of standardized folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized folders into a folder structure;

providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized folders, and

automatically providing a non- repudiatable audit trail for each insurance transaction associated with the folder structure, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each user'"'"'s access of each document and message.

43. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of standardized folders consistent with a role of a user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized folders into a folder structure;

providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized folders, and

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail for each insurance transaction associated with the folder structure, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each user'"'"'s access of each document and message.

44. A computer-based system for creating a customized folder structure for a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising:

for each of a plurality of users,

means for automatically creating a plurality of standardized folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

means for automatically hierarchically organizing the plurality of standardized folders into a folder structure;

means for providing the user with access via a networked computer to the user'"'"'s hierarchically organized folder structure and plurality of standardized folders, and

means for automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail for each insurance transaction associated with the folder structure, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each user'"'"'s access of each document and message.

45. A computer-aided method for providing access to a plurality of documents to a plurality of collaborators in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

acquiring at a computer readable medium an identification of a client from a user;

obtaining at the computer readable medium an indication of the plurality of collaborators; and

receiving at the computer readable medium an denotation of access rights for each collaborator from the plurality of collaborators, and

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail for an insurance transaction, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of each document and message associated with the insurance transaction.

46. The computer-aided method of claim 45, further comprising:

notifying each collaborator of an access available to that collaborator.

47. The computer-aided method of claim 45, further comprising:

notifying via e-mail each collaborator of an access available to that collaborator.

48. The computer-aided method of claim 45, further comprising:

notifying via e-mail each collaborator of an access available to that collaborator, the e-mail including a hyperlink activatable to access the plurality of documents.

49. The computer-aided method of claim 45, further comprising:

requesting the identification of the client.

50. The computer-aided method of claim 45, further comprising:

requesting the indication of the plurality of collaborators.

51. The computer-aided method of claim 45, further comprising:

requesting the denotation of access rights.

52. The computer-aided method of claim 45, further comprising:

providing a directory of potential collaborators.

53. The computer-aided method of claim 45, wherein the plurality of collaborators were selected from a directory of potential collaborators.

54. The computer-aided method of claim 45, wherein the indication of the plurality of collaborators includes at least one e-mail address.

55. The computer-aided method of claim 45, wherein the access rights are for an identified document folder.

56. The computer-aided method of claim 45, wherein the access rights are for an identified document.

57. A method for operating a networked computer system to provide access to a plurality of documents to a plurality of collaborators in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

acquiring at a computer readable medium an identification of a client from a user;

obtaining at the computer readable medium an indication of the plurality of collaborators;

receiving at the computer readable medium an denotation of access rights for each collaborator from the plurality of collaborators, and

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail for an insurance transaction, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of each document and message associated with the insurance transaction.

58. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

acquiring at the computer readable medium an identification of a client from a user;

obtaining at the computer readable medium an indication of a plurality of collaborators;

receiving at the computer readable medium an denotation of access rights for each collaborator from the plurality of collaborators, and

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail for an insurance transaction, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of each document and message associated with the insurance transaction.

59. A computer-based system for providing access to a plurality of documents to a plurality of collaborators in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising:

means for acquiring at a computer readable medium an identification of a client from a user;

means for obtaining at the computer readable medium an indication of the plurality of collaborators;

means for receiving at the computer readable medium an denotation of access rights for each collaborator from the plurality of collaborators, and

means for automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail for an insurance transaction, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of each document and message associated with the insurance transaction.

60. A computer-aided method for processing insurance exposure information in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

conditional upon a type of insurance transaction, providing to a first collaborator from a plurality of collaborators an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides an insurance data entry template having a plurality of fields that meet an insurance industry standard for submission of exposure information, and

receiving the insurance data entry template with data in each of the plurality of fields

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each of the plurality of collaborator'"'"'s access of the template.

61. The computer-aided method of claim 60, wherein the plurality of fields have names defined by the insurance industry standard.

62. The computer-aided method of claim 60, wherein the plurality of fields have sizes defined by the insurance industry standard.

63. The computer-aided method of claim 60, wherein the plurality of fields have XML tags defined by the insurance industry standard.

64. The computer-aided method of claim 60, wherein the insurance industry standard is an ACORD standard.

65. The computer-aided method of claim 60, wherein the insurance data entry template is provided across a network.

66. The computer-aided method of claim 60, wherein the insurance data entry template is received across a network.

67. A method for operating a networked computer system to process insurance exposure information in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

conditional upon a type of insurance transaction, providing to a first collaborator from a plurality of collaborators an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides an insurance data entry template having a plurality of fields that meet an insurance industry standard for submission of exposure information,

receiving the insurance data entry template with data in each of the plurality of fields, and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each of the plurality of collaborator'"'"'s access of the template.

68. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

conditional upon a type of insurance transaction, providing to a first collaborator from a plurality of collaborators an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides an insurance data entry template having a plurality of fields that meet an insurance industry standard for submission of exposure information,

receiving the insurance data entry template with data in each of the plurality of fields, and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each of the plurality of collaborator'"'"'s access of the template.

69. A computer-based system for processing insurance exposure information in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising:

conditional upon a type of insurance transaction, means for providing to first collaborator from a plurality of collaborators an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides an insurance data entry template having a plurality of fields that meet an insurance industry standard for submission of exposure information,

means for receiving the insurance data entry template with data in each of the plurality of fields, and

means for updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each of the plurality of collaborator'"'"'s access of the template.

70. A computer-aided method for processing insurance exposure information in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

receiving from a user an insurance data entry template with data in each of a plurality of fields;

enabling the user to authorize publication of the template and data to a community of collaborators in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, and

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of the template or data.

71. The computer-aided method of claim 70, further comprising receiving authorization to publish the template and data to a community of collaborators in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

72. The computer-aided method of claim 70, further comprising publishing the template and data to a community of collaborators in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process.

73. The computer-aided method of claim 70, further comprising tracking data added to the template.

74. The computer-aided method of claim 70, further comprising tracking a source of data added to the template.

75. The computer-aided method of claim 70, further comprising maintaining an audit trail for the data.

76. The computer-aided method of claim 70, further comprising maintaining an audit trail for the template.

77. A method for operating a networked computer system to process insurance exposure information in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

receiving from a user an insurance data entry template with data in each of a plurality of fields;

enabling the user to authorize publication of the template and data to a community of collaborators in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, and

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of the template or data.

78. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

receiving from a user an insurance data entry template with data in each of a plurality of fields;

enabling the user to authorize publication of the template and data to a community of collaborators in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, and

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of the template or data.

79. A computer-based system for processing insurance exposure information in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

means for receiving from a user an insurance data entry template with data in each of a plurality of fields;

means for enabling the user to authorize publication of the template and data to a community of collaborators in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, and

means for automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of the template or data.

80. A computer-aided method for structuring an insurance transaction in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

receiving from a user an indication of a client, a plurality of potential insurers, and a submission;

obtaining from the user insurance requirements and exposure information;

automatically providing to the plurality of potential insurers an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides the submission, the insurance requirements, and the exposure information; and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an insurer identity for any of the potential insurer'"'"'s access of the submission, the insurance requirements, or the exposure information.

81. A method for operating a networked computer system to structure an insurance transaction in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

receiving from a user an indication of a client, a plurality of potential insurers, and a submission;

obtaining from the user insurance requirements and exposure information; and

automatically providing to the plurality of potential insurers an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides the submission, the insurance requirements, and the exposure information; and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an insurer identity for any of the potential insurer'"'"'s access of the submission, the insurance requirements, or the exposure information.

82. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

receiving from a user an indication of a client, a plurality of potential insurers, and a submission;

obtaining from the user insurance requirements and exposure information; and

automatically providing to the plurality of potential insurers an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides the submission, the insurance requirements, and the exposure information; and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an insurer identity for any of the potential insurer'"'"'s access of the submission, the insurance requirements, or the exposure information.

83. A computer-based system for structuring an insurance transaction in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

means for receiving from a user an indication of a client, a plurality of potential insurers, and a submission;

means for obtaining from the user insurance requirements and exposure information; and

means for automatically providing to the plurality of potential insurers an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides the submission, the insurance requirements, and the exposure information; and

means for updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an insurer identity for any of the potential insurer'"'"'s access of the submission, the insurance requirements, or the exposure information.

84. A computer-aided method for preparing a insurance quotation request, comprising the activities of:

automatically creating an electronic submission having a message and a document containing insurance requirements and exposure information;

simultaneously sending to a plurality of insurers an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides the electronic submission; and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an insurer identity for each of the plurality of insurer'"'"'s access of the submission.

85. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising receiving a profile from each member of a set of insurers.

86. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising electronically receiving an editable profile from each member of a set of insurers.

87. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising electronically receiving a continuously editable profile from each member of a set of insurers.

88. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising building a directory of insurers.

89. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising building a directory of insurers based on a profile submitted by each insurer in the directory of insurers.

90. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising building a directory of insurers based on an editable profile electronically submitted by each insurer in the directory of insurers.

91. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising building a directory of insurers based on a profile electronically submitted by each insurer in the directory of insurers, the profile continuously editable by the submitting insurer.

92. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising building a directory of insurers based on a profile electronically submitted by each insurer in the directory of insurers, the profile continuously editable by the submitting insurer, the directory dynamically updateable in response to an edit to any profile.

93. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising providing a group of insurers.

94. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising providing a dynamic directory of insurers.

95. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising providing a dynamic directory listing possible insurers and their capabilities.

96. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising providing a dynamic directory listing possible insurers and their interests.

97. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising providing a dynamic directory listing possible insurers and their ratings.

98. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising suggesting a group of possible insurers.

99. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising suggesting a group of possible insurers based on a response to a query.

100. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising providing a group of suggested insurers.

101. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising providing a group of suggested insurers based at least partially upon a response to a query.

102. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising providing a group of suggested insurers based upon a response to a query.

103. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising suggesting a group of possible insurers.

104. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising providing a profile for each insurer in a group of suggested insurers.

105. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising selecting the plurality of insurers.

106. The computer-aided method of claim 84, further comprising receiving an identity of the plurality of insurers.

107. A method for operating a networked computer system to prepare a insurance quotation request, comprising the activities of:

automatically creating an electronic submission having a message and a document containing insurance requirements and exposure information;

simultaneously sending to a plurality of insurers an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides the electronic submission; and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an insurer identity for each of the plurality of insurer'"'"'s access of the submission.

108. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

automatically creating an electronic submission having a message and a document containing insurance requirements and exposure information;

simultaneously sending to a plurality of insurers an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides the electronic submission; and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an insurer identity for each of the plurality of insurer'"'"'s access of the submission.

109. A computer-based system for preparing a insurance quotation request, comprising the activities of:

means for automatically creating an electronic submission having a message and a document containing insurance requirements and exposure information; and

means for simultaneously sending to a plurality of insurers an e-mail containing a hyperlink which when activated provides the electronic submission; and

means for updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an insurer identity for each of the plurality of insurer'"'"'s access of the submission.

110. A computer-aided method for electronically rendering a plurality of insurance transactions, comprising the activities of:

representing each insurance transaction from the plurality of insurance transactions as a line item on an electronic display; and

hyperlinking each represented insurance transaction to a plurality of related messages and documents; and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an user identity for each of a plurality of user'"'"'s access of any of the plurality of related messages or documents.

111. The computer-aided method of claim 110, providing electronic access to each represented insurance transaction.

112. The computer-aided method of claim 110, providing invited collaborators with electronic access to each represented insurance transaction.

113. The computer-aided method of claim 110, wherein each of the plurality of related messages is contained in at least one thread.

114. The computer-aided method of claim 110, wherein each line item includes a client name.

115. The computer-aided method of claim 110, wherein each line item includes an insurance coverage type.

116. The computer-aided method of claim 110, wherein each line item includes a status.

117. The computer-aided method of claim 110, wherein each line item includes an insurance quotation status.

118. The computer-aided method of claim 110, wherein each line item is dynamically updated.

119. The computer-aided method of claim 110, further comprising dynamically updating each line item.

120. A method for operating a networked computer system to electronically render a plurality of insurance transactions, comprising the activities of:

representing each insurance transaction from the plurality of insurance transactions as a line item on an electronic display; and

hyperlinking each represented insurance transaction to a plurality of related messages and documents; and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an user identity for each of a plurality of user'"'"'s access of any of the plurality of related messages or documents.

121. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

representing each insurance transaction from a plurality of insurance transactions as a line item on an electronic display; and

hyperlinking each represented insurance transaction to a plurality of related messages and documents; and

updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an user identity for each of a plurality of user'"'"'s access of any of the plurality of related messages or documents.

122. A computer-based system for electronically rendering a plurality of insurance transactions, comprising the activities of:

means for representing each insurance transaction from the plurality of insurance transactions as a line item on an electronic display; and

means for hyperlinking each represented insurance transaction to a plurality of related messages and documents; and

means for updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and an user identity for each of a plurality of user'"'"'s access of any of the plurality of related messages or documents.

123. A computer-aided method for filing electronic messages in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

automatically locating an electronic message hierarchy associated with an insurance transaction, the message hierarchy containing a plurality of electronic messages;

automatically determining an appropriate location in the message hierarchy for a new electronic message;

automatically placing the electronic message in the appropriate location; and

automatically updating a non-repudiatable audit trail associated with the transaction, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each access of each of the plurality of electronic messages, to reflect an addition of the new electronic message to the message hierarchy.

124. The computer-aided method of claim 123, further comprising updating the audit trail to reflect an addition of the electronic message to the message hierarchy.

125. The computer-aided method of claim 123, wherein the audit trail reflects the location of the electronic message in the message hierarchy.

126. The computer-aided method of claim 123, wherein the electronic message includes a document.

127. The computer-aided method of claim 123, further comprising updating an audit trail to reflect an addition of a document associated with the electronic message to the message hierarchy.

128. The computer-aided method of claim 123, further comprising creating the electronic message.

129. The computer-aided method of claim 123, further comprising receiving the electronic message.

130. The computer-aided method of claim 123, further comprising rendering a dynamic view of the message hierarchy.

131. A method for operating a networked computer system to file electronic messages in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

automatically locating an electronic message hierarchy associated with an insurance transaction, the message hierarchy containing a plurality of electronic messages;

automatically determining an appropriate location in the message hierarchy for a new electronic message; and

automatically placing the electronic message in the appropriate location; and

automatically updating a non-repudiatable audit trail associated with the transaction, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each access of each of the plurality of electronic messages, to reflect an addition of the new electronic message to the message hierarchy.

132. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

automatically locating an electronic message hierarchy associated with an insurance transaction, the message hierarchy containing a plurality of electronic messages;

automatically determining an appropriate location in the message hierarchy for a new electronic message; and

automatically placing the electronic message in the appropriate location; and

automatically updating a non-repudiatable audit trail associated with the transaction, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each access of each of the plurality of electronic messages, to reflect an addition of the electronic message to the message hierarchy.

133. A computer-based system for filing electronic messages in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

means for automatically locating an electronic message hierarchy associated with an insurance transaction, the message hierarchy containing a plurality of electronic messages;

means for automatically determining an appropriate location in the message hierarchy for a new electronic message; and

means for automatically placing the electronic message in the appropriate location; and

means for automatically updating a non-repudiatable audit trail associated with the transaction, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each access of each of the plurality of electronic messages, to reflect an addition of the new electronic message to the message hierarchy.

134. A computer-aided method for tracking activities in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each non-repudiatable archive associated with the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the archive comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each access of each of a plurality of electronic messages and documents,

obtaining a client, policy year, and transaction associated with the archive;

automatically maintaining a version history of each of the plurality of messages and documents of the archive; and

automatically relating the archive with a location in an archive hierarchy associated with the client;

policy year, and transaction.

135. The computer-aided method of claim 134, further comprising allowing the archive to be recalled by its writer.

136. The computer-aided method of claim 134, further comprising providing an indication of whether a collaborator has opened the archive.

137. The computer-aided method of claim 134, further comprising providing an indication of when a collaborator has opened the archive.

138. The computer-aided method of claim 134, further comprising filing the archive in the location in an archive hierarchy associated with the client;

policy year, and transaction.

139. The computer-aided method of claim 134, further comprising linking the archive to the location in an archive hierarchy associated with the client;

policy year, and transaction.

140. A method for operating a networked computer system to track activities in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each non-repudiatable archive associated with the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the archive comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each access of each of a plurality of electronic messages and documents,

obtaining a client, policy year, and transaction associated with the archive;

automatically maintaining a version history of each of the plurality of messages and documents of the archive; and

automatically relating the archive with a location in an archive hierarchy associated with the client;

policy year, and transaction.

141. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for activities comprising:

for each non-repudiatable archive associated with a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the archive comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each access of each of a plurality of electronic messages and documents,

obtaining a client, policy year, and transaction associated with the archive;

automatically maintaining a version history of each of the plurality of messages and documents of the archive; and

automatically relating the archive with a location in an archive hierarchy associated with the client;

policy year, and transaction.

142. A computer-based system for tracking activities in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each non-repudiatable archive associated with the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the archive comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each access of each of a plurality of electronic messages and documents,

means for obtaining a client, policy year, and transaction associated with the archive;

means for automatically maintaining a version history of each of the plurality of messages and documents of the archive; and

means for automatically relating the archive with a location in an archive hierarchy associated with the client;

policy year, and transaction.

143. A computer-aided method for managing a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of insurance transactions, and for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of standardized computer information folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, said standardized computer information folders containing at least two of documents, messages, and structured data;

providing the user with access to the user'"'"'s plurality of standardized computer information folders via a hyperlink in an e-mail message displayed to the user on a networked computer; and

automatically updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each access of any of the documents, messages, and structured data.

144. A computer-aided method for providing access to a plurality of documents, messages, and structured data to a plurality of collaborators in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

obtaining at a computer readable medium an indication of the plurality of collaborators in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

notifying via e-mail each collaborator from the plurality of collaborators of an access available to that collaborator, the e-mail including a hyperlink activatable to access the plurality of documents, messages, and structured data; and

automatically updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of any of the documents, messages, and structured data.

145. The computer-aided method of claim 144, further comprising:

receiving at the computer readable medium an denotation of access rights for each collaborator from the plurality of collaborators.

146. A computer-aided method for providing access to a plurality of documents, messages, and structured data to a collaborator in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

obtaining at a computer readable medium an indication of the collaborator in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process; and

notifying the collaborator via e-mail of an access available to the collaborator, the e-mail including a hyperlink activatable to access the plurality of documents, messages, and structured data, and

automatically updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of any of the documents, messages, and structured data.

147. The computer-aided method of claim 146, further comprising:

receiving at the computer readable medium an denotation of access rights for the collaborator.

148. A computer-aided method for providing access to a plurality of documents, messages, and structured data to a collaborator in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

obtaining an e-mail address of the collaborator in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

sending to the collaborator an e-mail containing a hyperlink activatable to access the plurality of documents, messages, and structured data, and

automatically updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of any of the documents, messages, and structured data.

149. A computer-aided method for providing access to electronic information to a collaborator in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

obtaining an e-mail address of the collaborator in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

sending to the collaborator an e-mail containing a hyperlink activatable to access the electronic information; and

tracking access to the electronic information by the collaborator in a non-repudiatable audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of any of the electronic information.

150. The computer-aided method of claim 149, further comprising:

receiving at the computer readable medium a denotation of access rights for the collaborator.

151. The computer-aided method of claim 149, wherein the electronic information includes at least one of a document, a message, and structured data.

152. The computer-aided method of claim 149, wherein the electronic information includes at least one document, at least one message, and structured data.

153. A computer-aided method for creating a customized folder structure for a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of information folders, the plurality of folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process; and

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail to track information associated with the plurality of folders and with a transaction in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of any of the information.

154. A computer-aided method for creating a customized folder structure for a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of hierarchically-organized information folders, the plurality of folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail to track information associated with the plurality of folders and with a transaction in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of any of the information.

155. A computer-aided method for creating a customized folder structure for a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically creating a plurality of electronic information folders, the plurality of folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

automatically providing a non-repudiatable audit trail to track information associated with the plurality of folders and with a transaction in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of any of the information.

156. The computer-aided method of claim 155, wherein at least one folder from the plurality of folders includes at least one of documents, messages, and structured data.

157. The computer-aided method of claim 155, wherein the audit trail is graphically displayable.

158. A computer-aided method for managing information in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process, comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically rendering a plurality of electronic information folders, the plurality of folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative insurance process;

automatically updating a non-repudiatable audit trail to reflect a change made by the user to a content of any folder from the plurality of folders, the change associated with a transaction in the web-enabled collaborative insurance process, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a collaborator identity for each collaborator'"'"'s access of any of the content.

159. The computer-aided method of claim 158, wherein at least one folder from the plurality of folders includes at least one of documents, messages, and structured data.

160. The computer-aided method of claim 158, wherein the content includes at least one of a document, a message, and structured data.

161. The computer-aided method of claim 158, wherein the content includes a document and a message.

162. The computer-aided method of claim 158, wherein the content includes a document, a message, and structured data.

163. The computer-aided method of claim 158, wherein the audit trail is graphically displayable.

164. A computer-aided method for managing information in a web-enabled collaborative process, comprising the activities of:

for each of a plurality of users,

automatically rendering a plurality of electronic information folders, the plurality of folders consistent with a role of the user in a web-enabled collaborative process;

automatically updating a non-repudiatable audit trail to reflect a change made by the user to a content of any folder from the plurality of folders, the change associated with a transaction in the web-enabled collaborative process, the audit trail comprising, for each user'"'"'s access of any of the content, a visual indicator of a time of the access and an identity of the user..

165. The computer-aided method of claim 164, wherein at least one folder from the plurality of folders includes at least one of documents, messages, and structured data.

166. The computer-aided method of claim 164, wherein the content includes at least one of a document, a message, and structured data.

167. The computer-aided method of claim 164, wherein the content includes a document and a message.

168. The computer-aided method of claim 164, wherein the content includes a document, a message, and structured data.

169. The computer-aided method of claim 164, wherein the audit trail is graphically displayable.

170. A computer-aided method for electronically rendering a plurality of insurance transactions, comprising the activities of:

for each insurance transaction of the plurality of insurance transactions;

automatically representing the insurance transaction as a line item on an electronic display;

automatically updating the line item to reflect a change in status of the insurance transaction; and

automatically updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time and a user identity for each of a plurality of user'"'"'s access of information associated with the insurance transaction.

171. The computer-aided method of claim 170, further comprising providing a hyperlink in the line item to a plurality of related messages and documents.

172. The computer-aided method of claim 170, further comprising hyperlinking the line item to a plurality of related messages and documents.

173. The computer-aided method of claim 170, notifying a collaborator to the insurance transaction of the change in status of the insurance transaction.

174. The computer-aided method of claim 170, providing an invited collaborator to the insurance transaction with electronic access to the insurance transaction.

175. A computer-aided method for electronically rendering a plurality of transactions, comprising the activities of:

for each transaction of the plurality of transactions;

automatically representing the transaction as a line item on an electronic display, the line item including a hyperlink to at least one folder containing a plurality of messages and documents related to the transaction; and

automatically updating the line item to reflect a change in status of the transaction; and

for each of a plurality of user'"'"'s access of any of the messages or documents, automatically updating an audit trail, the audit trail comprising a visual indicator of a time of the access and an identity of the user.

176. The computer-aided method of claim 175, notifying a collaborator to the transaction of the change in status of the transaction.