Method of verifying insurance claims

• US 20060080154A1
• Filed: 07/27/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Donovan Roy Larsen
• Original Assignee: Donovan Roy Larsen
• Inventors: Larsen, Donovan Roy
• Application Number:
  US11/190,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20060080154A1
• 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 of evidencing loss or damage an under a policy of insurance provided by an insurer to an insurance policy holder is disclosed. The policy provides insurance against loss of or damage to one or more insured properties. The method includes providing an insurance policy holder with a claim verification package, the package including a camera and information identifying an insurance policy. A database is maintained by an information management facility which keeps database records identifying the insurance policy, image records of the insured property or properties which may be provided both after and/or prior to and after loss or damage to the property or properties. Authorized users have access to the database records.

Claims

1. A method of evidencing loss or damage under a policy of insurance provided by an insurer to an insurance policy holder, said policy providing insurance against loss of or damage to an insured property, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an insurance policy holder with a claim verification package, said package comprising a camera and information identifying an insurance policy;

(b) recording with said camera one or more image records of a property insured under said policy;

(c) delivering said one or more image records and said information identifying said insurance policy to an information management facility, said facility including a computer programmed with a database, said computer including means cooperative with said database for receiving and storing data in said database and means for permitting data so stored to be read from said database;

(d) storing in said database data corresponding to said information identifying said insurance policy;

(e) storing in said database data corresponding to said one or more image records;

(f) relating in said database said stored data corresponding to said information identifying said insurance policy with said stored data corresponding to said one or more image records;

(g) linking a viewing terminal located remote from said computer to said computer over a data communication path; and

,

(h) permitting authorized users utilizing said viewing terminal to access and read said stored data corresponding to said information identifying said insurance policy and said stored data corresponding to said one or more image records.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said data communication path comprises the Internet.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said one or more image records comprise one or more image records created subsequent to damage to said property.

4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein said insured property comprises a vehicle and wherein said claim verification package comprises a report form for reporting on the circumstances of any damage to said vehicle, said method further comprising:

(a) in the event of damage to said vehicle, completing said report form with information reporting on the circumstances of such damage and delivering said report form when completed to said information management facility;

(b) storing in said database data corresponding to information provided in said report form;

(c) relating in said database said stored data corresponding to said information identifying said insurance policy with said stored data corresponding to said information provided in said report form; and

,

(d) permitting authorized users utilizing said viewing terminal to access and read said stored data corresponding to said information provided in said report form.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said one or more image records comprise one or more image records created prior to any loss of or damage to said property.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein said one or more image records further comprise one or more image records created subsequent to damage to said property.