Automated service offering and loss recovery system

• US 20070214021A1
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: McLaughlin, Sean
• Application Number:
  US11/370,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20070214021A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A method and computer instructions for tracking an insurable item is shown. A computer receives a consumer identifier that is uniquely associated with a consumer. The computer also receives a serial number associated with an insurable item from a transponder attached to the insurable item. The computer records to a data structure a purchase by a consumer of the insurable item. The computer presents an offer for insurance to the consumer for the insurable item based on the consumer identifier.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for offering insurance comprising:

receiving an identifier from a transponder associated with an insurable item, wherein the identifier uniquely identifies the insurable item;

associating the identifier with a consumer; and

presenting an offer for insurance for the insurable item to the consumer.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein associating comprises:

recording the identifier with the consumer identifier in an insurer repository.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein presenting comprises:

recording a purchase wherein the identifier is recorded on an identification card provided to the consumer at a point-of-sale station; and

offering insurance to the consumer for the item recorded on the identification card.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein associating comprises:

storing the identifier to an identification card.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting the consumer identifier to an insurer repository; and

receiving at least one term of service of the offer from the insurer repository.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein offering comprises:

presenting at least one term of service.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 6, wherein presenting comprises:

dispatching an electronic communication to an electronic mail address associated with the consumer.

8. A computer implemented method for determining a loss associated with an insurable item comprising:

receiving a consumer identifier;

receiving a serial number;

sending an electronic communication having an offer;

receiving an acceptance; and

collecting a loss report.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 8, wherein collecting further comprises:

validating the loss report.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 8 further comprising:

offering a consumer a choice between replacing the insurable item or receiving a store credit; and

receiving a consumer choice.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 8 further comprising:

determining whether the consumer choice is a store credit; and

adding the store credit to a credit database.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 8 further comprising:

looking up a manufacturers warranty expiration period;

calculating a warranty end; and

sending an electronic message offer comprises transmitting an electronic message offer near the warranty end.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 8, wherein transmitting an email offer near the warranty end comprises:

sending the electronic message offer within ten days of the warranty end.

14. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer usable program code for offering insurance, the computer program product including;

computer usable program code for receiving an identifier from a transponder associated with an insurable item, wherein the identifier uniquely identifies the insurable item;

computer usable program code for associating the identifier with a consumer; and

computer usable program code for presenting an offer for insurance for the insurable item to the consumer.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein computer usable code for associating comprises:

computer usable program code for recording the identifier with the consumer identifier in an insurer repository.

16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein computer usable code for presenting comprises:

computer usable program code for recording a purchase wherein the identifier is recorded on an identification card provided to the consumer at a point-of-sale station; and

computer usable program code for offering insurance to the consumer for the item recorded on the identification card.

17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein computer usable code for associating comprises:

computer usable program code for storing the identifier to an identification card.

18. The computer program product of claim 14 further comprising:

computer usable program code for transmitting the consumer identifier to an insurer repository; and

computer usable program code for receiving at least one term of service of the offer from the insurer repository.

19. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein computer usable code for offering comprises:

computer usable program code for presenting at least one term of service.

20. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein computer usable code for presenting comprises:

computer usable program code for dispatching an electronic communication to an electronic mail address associated with the consumer.