KIOSK FOR PROVIDING INSURANCE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

• US 20130191170A1
• Filed: 01/25/2013
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Direct General Corporation (Allstate Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Direct General Corporation (Allstate Corporation)
• Inventors: JARRETT, JOSHUA L., DIGIACOMO, MARC E.
• Application Number:
  US13/750,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20130191170A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/10 Services

Abstract

A public access kiosk that provides direct, real-time communication between customers and licensed insurance agents, customer service representatives, or other insurance company representatives or agents. Communication may be voice only, with or without an avatar, but also may comprise face-to-face video. The kiosk is connected to the Internet or other network, thereby providing voice, video, and other data to be transmitted in real time and providing around-the-clock, automated (semi or fully) self-service, with an option for a fully supported, face-to-face in-office agency experience. The kiosk may be used to provide insurance and other services, including but not limited to providing a “lightning quote” for insurance in five minutes or less, and in some variations, in 60 seconds or less. A “lightning quote” also may be provided through the Internet or a web site, or other means.

Claims

1. An apparatus for facilitating insurance-related transactions, comprising:

a kiosk with a computing device in electronic communication with a primary touch-screen display, a wired or wireless router or communication device, a cash acceptance and dispensing device, a magnetic stripe/barcode reader, and a printer;

wherein said computing device comprises a processor or microprocessor coupled to a computer memory;

further wherein said processor or microprocessor is programmed to perform at least one of the following steps;

provide an insurance quote;

bind an insurance policy;

or

receive payment on an insurance policy.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a secondary display screen attached to the kiosk, wherein the secondary display screen shows advertisements, pictures or videos to attract users to the kiosk.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk further comprises a gift card dispenser.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the kiosk further comprises a video camera or webcam, a scanner, a microphone, a speaker, a telephone, and a card printer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further wherein said processor or microprocessor is programmed to perform at least one of the following steps:

retrieve an insurance quote;

file an insurance claim;

endorse an insurance policy;

renew an insurance policy;

or

provide help from an insurance agent or representative in a location remote from the kiosk.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further wherein said processor or microprocessor is programmed to perform the following steps:

receive applications for small loans, microloans, or premium financing; and

provide said small loans, microloans, or premium financing.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further wherein said processor or microprocessor is programmed to provide a gift card upon completion of certain transactions at the kiosk.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the gift card is for use at the location of the kiosk.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon, wherein the program instructs a processor or microprocessor to perform the following steps:

prompting a user to provide identification information;

automatically retrieving insurance-related information based upon the identification information;

automatically calculating an insurance quote based upon said insurance-related information within approximately 60 seconds or less of initiating the calculation; and

providing the insurance quote to the user.

11. The medium of claim 10, wherein the identification information for the user comprises at least one of the following:

name and address, phone number, driver'"'"'s license number, or social security number.

12. The medium of claim 10, wherein the storage medium is located inside a portable kiosk.

13. The medium of claim 12, wherein the kiosk comprises a display screen, at least one input device, and a scanner.

14. The medium of claim 13, wherein the identification information is obtained from the user by scanning the user'"'"'s driver license, identification card, insurance card, or other insurance documents or bills.

15. The medium of claim 10, wherein the insurance-related information comprises vehicle information and driver information related to the user, which may include prior insurance coverage information, and said insurance-related information is automatically retrieved after scanning the user'"'"'s driver license, identification card, insurance card, or bill.

16. A computer-implemented method of providing an insurance quote to a user, comprising the steps of:

prompting, using a processor or microprocessor in electronic communication with a computing device, a user to provide identification information;

automatically retrieving insurance-related information based upon the identification information;

automatically calculating, using the processor or microprocessor, an insurance quote based upon said insurance-related information within approximately 60 seconds or less of initiating the calculation; and

providing the insurance quote to the user.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the computing device is contained in a stand-alone kiosk.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the computing device comprises a scanner or camera.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the identification information is obtained solely by scanning, using the scanner or camera, a driver license, identification card, insurance card, or bill presented by the user.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the insurance-related information is retrieved based upon the scanned information from the user.