SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PURCHASING INSURANCE

• US 20120197668A1
• Filed: 02/02/2011
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oferta, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Oferta Insurance
• Inventors: Reid, Jamie
• Granted Patent: US 8,744,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

Systems and methods related to an online website wherein businesses seeking insurance can obtain quotations and be connected to a plurality of insurance providers are described herein. In some embodiments, the businesses are authenticated and verified by providing such details as, e.g., employer identification number (EIN) or tax identification number (TIN), and being registered with the system prior to requesting quotations. In some embodiments, the system has an online collaboration system where a business can ask or post questions and receive answers from insurance providers or agents who match their search criteria.

Claims

1. A system for allowing a business inquire about insurance, comprising:

a communication interface;

a data storage system configured to store registration information for a plurality of business and a plurality of agents;

a server coupled with the data storage system and the communication interface, the server configured to;

receive registration requests from a plurality of agents through the communication interface;

validate agent license information from one or more of the agents;

receive product information from the one or more agents having validated license information;

receive a registration request from a business through the communication interface;

validate tax identification information from the business;

allow the business to create a request for information defining certain product information;

filter the plurality of agents based on the product information each agent provided and based on the content of the business request for information to identify potential agents that meet requirements of the business inquiry; and

allow the potential agents and the business to post one or more messages related to inquiring about insurance, respond to posts, and request information on a message board.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the message board is a public message board, wherein all potential agents can see other potential agents'"'"' responses, including the identity of the potential agents.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the message board is a semi-private message board, wherein all potential agents can see the other potential agents'"'"' responses, but the potential agents appear as anonymous respondents.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the message board is a private message board, wherein the potential agents cannot see other potential agents'"'"' responses.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the private message board allows the business to interact with a single potential agent in a private setting.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the private message board is further validated.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the potential agents wishing to respond to the business, may respond using a one-to-one text message.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the potential agents wishing to respond to the business, may respond using a one-to-many text message.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the business may download or upload information onto the message board as part of its message.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the potential agents may download or upload information onto the message board as part of their response.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to:

enable the business to purchase insurance based on the potential agents'"'"' responses.

12. A method for allowing a business inquire about insurance, comprising:

receiving registration requests from a plurality of agents through a communication interface;

validating agent license information from one or more of the agents;

receiving product information from the one or more agents having validated license information;

receiving a registration request from a business through the communication interface;

validating tax identification information from the business;

allowing the business to create a request for information defining certain product information;

filtering the plurality of agents based on the product information each agent provided and based on the content of the business request for information to identify potential agents that meet requirements of the business inquiry; and

allowing the potential agents and the business to post one or more messages related to inquiring about insurance, respond to posts, and request information on a message board.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the message board is a public message board, wherein all potential agents can see other potential agents'"'"' responses, including the identity of the potential agents.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the message board is a semi-private message board, wherein all potential agents can see the other potential agents'"'"' responses, but the potential agents appear as anonymous respondents.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the message board is a private message board, wherein the potential agents cannot see other potential agents'"'"' responses.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the private message board allows the business to interact with a single potential agent in a private setting.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the private message board is further validated.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the potential agents wishing to respond to the business, may respond using a one-to-one text message.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the potential agents wishing to respond to the business, may respond using a one-to-many text message.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the business may download or upload information onto the message board as part of its message.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the potential agents may download or upload information onto the message board as part of their response.

22. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

enabling the business to purchase insurance based on the potential agents'"'"' responses.