CLAIMING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20120059676A1
• Filed: 08/30/2011
• Published: 03/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel A. King
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. King
• Inventors: King, Daniel A.
• Application Number:
  US13/221,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20120059676A1
• 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 claims and repair process including collecting accident information at birth of an accident, electronic communication to a remote site, and posting information for selecting repair and supplier parties, such as by a bid process. Any of a PDA, a mapping system, or a data collection system installed on the vehicle collects accident information at the accident site, on a tow truck, or at a facility. A PDA with a digital camera may be provided for collecting digital images. Wireless communications may be used to transfer accident information for expedited processing. A claims estimate may be made by a claims adjuster or claims wizard. An aggregate database may be employed by the claims wizard to facilitate damage assessment. The claims wizard may work interactively with a PDA device for improved data collection. Tow trucks may be dispatched to transport rental, damaged and repaired vehicles to reduce insured'"'"'s involvement.

Claims

1. A system for collecting automobile accident data, comprising:

a data collection device, comprising a mobile device in communications with a claims processing computer;

wherein said claims processing computer further comprises an insurance data collector and a first data storage device, and wherein said first data storage device is operable to communicate with said mobile device;

a communications connection, comprising a network operable to transmit data between said data collection device and said claims processing computer; and

a master database, comprising a second data storage device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said mobile device comprises a PDA device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said mobile device further comprises data capture equipment.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said master database is located remotely relative to said claims processing computer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said network is a wireless network.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said network is a wired network.

7. A method for automobile insurance claim processing, comprising the steps of:

scanning an automobile surface using a laser mapping system;

mapping a 3-D laser image of said automobile surface;

generating a 3-D image file of said automobile surface;

transmitting said 3-D image file to a data storage device;

storing said 3-D image file in said data storage device;

and calculating automobile damage from said 3-D image file using a claims processing computer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

said laser mapping system comprises 3-D lasers capable of measuring numerical values for automobile surface damage.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

calculating a claims estimate based upon said automobile damage; and

providing a claims estimate to the insurance claim processing user.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said transmitting comprises wirelessly communicating digital image files.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said laser mapping system comprises electronic data collection equipment, wherein said mapping a 3-D laser image comprises scanning and recording automobile accident information.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

including a claims number with said claims estimate.

13. The method of claim 7, said laser mapping system incorporating a bar code scanner, wherein said scanning an automobile surface further comprises scanning a bar coded vehicle identification number.

14. The method of claim 7, said laser mapping system comprising a plurality of sensors and a monitoring system coupled to said plurality of sensors.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

providing a computer with estimation software to assist and facilitate assessment of accident information.

16. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

providing a master database incorporating aggregate data and accident information from other accidents.

17. A claims process method, comprising:

employing a mapping system for generating a 3-D image of an automobile for calculating external damage information; and

using said external damage information for calculating complete automobile damages for claim purposes.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

comparing complete automobile damages against predetermined database calculations for determining whether repairs or automobile replacement is required.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing a claims processing computer that operates as an expert system which uses new accident information and aggregate damage and accident information to assist in damage assessment.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising employing by a claims processing computer, similar-type vehicle information from a master database.