System and method for improved rental vehicle reservation management

• US 8,160,906 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2007
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Crawford Group Incorporated (Enterprise Holdings Incorporated)
• Sponsoring Entity: The Crawford Group Incorporated (Enterprise Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, David G., DeVallance, Kimberly A., Miller, Owen R., Miller, Regina M., Jouris, Jon B., Concannon, Maribeth, Cormier, Shawn R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMPBELL, SHANNON S
• APPLICATION: US 20080140460A1
• Time in USPTO: 1803 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1.1, 705/5, 705/6
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 : AdministrationManagement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 : Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 : Commerce, e.g. shopping or e-commerce

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for managing a rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on automated processing of vehicle repair data corresponding to a disabled vehicle that is related to the rental vehicle reservation. For example, a preferred method and system can automatically compute from the vehicle repair data an amount of time that is likely to be needed by a repair facility to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, which in turn can drive more accurate management of an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation. A preferred method and system can also automatically schedule a callback reminder for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the received vehicle repair data. Further still, detailed audit reports regarding how reservations are managed can be generated by the preferred method and system.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for managing a rental vehicle reservation for a replacement vehicle corresponding to a disabled vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving vehicle repair data as an electronic data communication from a remote repair facility computer system, wherein the received vehicle data is related to the disabled vehicle and comprises data includes data corresponding to an explanation for a repair delay to the disabled vehicle; and

automatically computing with a computer program executed by a processor a term-related parameter for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the explanation data, wherein the term-related parameter comprises a value indicative of an estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises:

applying a formula to the received vehicle repair data to thereby compute the term-related parameter, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameter according to;

TD=┌

f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD)┐

wherein TD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by;

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle repair data further comprises data that identifies an estimation of how many labor hours will be need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises automatically computing the term-related parameter based at least in part upon the explanation data and the labor hours data.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step further comprises automatically computing the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and a status identifier as to whether the disabled vehicle is nondriveable.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises:

processing the received vehicle repair data to determine whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any weekend days; and

automatically computing the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and data corresponding the determination as to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any weekend days.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises:

processing the received vehicle repair data to determine whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days; and

automatically computing the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and data corresponding the determination as to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing a plurality of adjustment amounts, each adjustment amount corresponding to an explanation for a repair delay; and

wherein the automatically computing step further comprises (1) processing the explanation data to determine a stored adjustment amount associated therewith, and (2) automatically computing the estimate value based at least in part on the determined stored adjustment amount.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the vehicle repair data identifies the explanation data as any of a plurality of predefined standardized explanation codes.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

comparing data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed; and

automatically extending the rental vehicle reservation to a last authorized day in response to the comparing step resulting in a determination that the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

comparing data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter; and

adjusting the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation such that a last authorized day for the reservation coincides with the computed term-related parameter in response to the comparing step.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

comparing data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed; and

automatically sending a request for an authorization to extend the rental vehicle reservation to a reservation manager in response to the comparing step resulting in a determination that the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

comparing data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed;

determining whether a reservation manager for the rental vehicle reservation has an automated extension rule associated therewith; and

in response to the determining step resulting in a determination that the reservation manager has an associated automated extension rule, automatically extending the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the automated extension rule.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

in response to the determining step resulting in a determination that the reservation manager does not have an associated automated extension rule, automatically sending a request for an authorization to extend the rental vehicle reservation to the reservation manager.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

providing a graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on a computer of at least one reservation manager having an associated business rule;

receiving input through the provided GUI screen; and

defining the automated extension rule associated with the at least one reservation manager in response to the received input.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

automatically scheduling a callback reminder for the reservation based at least in part on the received vehicle repair data.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the automatically scheduling step further comprises automatically scheduling the callback reminder for the reservation based at least in part on the computed term-related parameter.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

storing a plurality of business rules, each business rule defining how a callback reminder is to be scheduled based at least in part on the received vehicle repair data, wherein each stored business rule is associated with a party;

determining a party associated with the received vehicle repair data; and

selecting the stored business rule that is associated with the determined party; and

wherein the automatically scheduling step comprises automatically scheduling the callback reminder for the reservation based at least in part on the selected stored business rule.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

providing a graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on a computer of at least one of the parties with an associated business rule;

receiving input through the provided GUI screen; and

defining the business rule associated with the at least one party in response to the received input.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the parties associated with the business rules comprise a plurality of different purchasers.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the parties associated with the business rules comprise a plurality of different repair facilities.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step further automatically computing an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the computed term-related parameter.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step further comprises automatically computing a last authorized date for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the computed term-related parameter.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step further comprises automatically computing a callback reminder for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the computed term-related parameter.

24. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

automatically progressing from the receiving step to the automatically computing step.

25. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

progressing from the receiving step to the automatically computing step in response to user input.

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

distributing a cost for the reservation across a plurality of parties based at least in part upon the computed term-related parameter.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

storing a plurality of cost distribution rules, each cost distribution rule being associated with a party;

determining a party associated with the rental vehicle reservation;

selecting the stored cost distribution rule that is associated with the determined party; and

performing the cost distributing step in accordance with the selected cost distribution rule.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle repair data further comprises an estimated completion date (ECD) and a labor hours estimate, wherein the automatically computing step comprises automatically computing a target completion date (TCD) for the reservation based at least in part upon the explanation data and the labor hours estimate, the method further comprising:

comparing the computed TCD with the ECD to determine which will control an extension process; and

controlling the extension process using the determined one of the TCD and ECD as a result of the comparing step.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises:

applying a formula to the received vehicle repair data to thereby compute the term-related parameter, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameter according to;

TD=┌

f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD)┐

wherein TD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by;

30. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing data in a memory that categorizes a plurality of predefined repair delay explanations as corresponding to a member of the group consisting of an extension amount and an adjustment amount; and

wherein the automatically computing step comprises applying a formula to the received vehicle repair data to thereby compute the term-related parameter, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter through application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameter according to;

CD=┌

f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD)┐

wherein CD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by;

31. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing data in a memory that categorizes a plurality of predefined repair delay explanations as corresponding to a member of the group consisting of an extension amount and an adjustment amount; and

wherein the automatically computing step comprises applying a formula to the received vehicle repair data to thereby compute the term-related parameter, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter through application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameter according to;

CD=┌

f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD)┐

wherein CD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by;

32. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises automatically computing the value indicative of the estimate as to how long the repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle as a target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the processor (1) comparing an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed target number of days, (2) determining whether the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle based on the comparison, and (3) in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising:

a memory storing a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the target number of days for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for a plurality of different purchasers; and

the processor determining a purchaser for the rental vehicle reservation associated with the received vehicle repair data; and

wherein the automatically computing step comprises the processor automatically computing the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein at least one of the purchaser-specific rules is configured to associate a plurality of repair delay explanations with a plurality of amounts that are representative of an increase to the target number of days for the repairs, and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises the processor (1) processing the received repair delay explanation to determine the stored amount associated therewith for the determined purchaser, and (2) automatically computing the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the determined stored amount.

36. The method of claim 35 further comprising:

the memory storing a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the authorization period is to be automatically extended for a plurality different purchasers; and

wherein the automatically extending step comprises the processor, in response to the determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the stored extension rules associated with the determined purchaser.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein at least a plurality of the stored rules are purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific, the method further comprising the processor (1) determining the repair facility corresponding to the received vehicle repair data, and (2) determining whether any of the stored rules are specific to the determined repair facility in combination with the determined purchaser, and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises, in response to a determination that the memory stores purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific rules governing how the target number of days for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility, automatically computing the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility.

38. The method of claim 1 wherein the automatically computing step comprises automatically computing the value indicative of the estimate as to how long the repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle as a target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising the processor (1) comparing an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed target completion date, (2) determining whether the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle based on the comparison, and (3) in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprising:

a memory storing a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the target completion date for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for a plurality of different purchasers; and

the processor determining a purchaser for the rental vehicle reservation associated with the received vehicle repair data; and

wherein the automatically computing step comprises the processor automatically computing the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein at least one of the purchaser-specific rules is configured to associate a plurality of repair delay explanations with a plurality of amounts that are representative of an increase to the target completion date for the repairs, and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises the processor (1) processing the received repair delay explanation to determine the stored amount associated therewith for the determined purchaser, and (2) automatically computing the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the determined stored amount.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

the memory storing a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the authorization period is to be automatically extended for a plurality different purchasers; and

wherein the automatically extending step comprises the processor, in response to the determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extending the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the stored extension rules associated with the determined purchaser.

43. The method of claim 40 wherein at least a plurality of the stored rules are purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific, the method further comprising the processor (1) determining the repair facility corresponding to the received vehicle repair data, and (2) determining whether any of the stored rules are specific to the determined repair facility in combination with the determined purchaser, and wherein the automatically computing step further comprises, in response to a determination that the memory stores purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific rules governing how the target completion date for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility, automatically computing the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility.

44. A computer system for processing data relating to a rental vehicle reservation, the computer system comprising:

a processor configured to (1) receive vehicle repair data from a remote repair facility computer system, the vehicle repair data corresponding to repairs performed by a repair facility on a disabled vehicle associated with a driver for a rental vehicle reservation, and wherein the vehicle repair data includes data corresponding to an explanation for a repair delay to the disabled vehicle, and (2) automatically compute a term-related parameter for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the explanation data, wherein the term-related parameter comprises a value indicative of an estimate as to how long the repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter through application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameter according to:

TD=┌

f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD)┐

wherein TD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by;

46. The system of claim 44 wherein the vehicle repair data further comprises data that identifies an estimation of how many labor hours will be needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, and wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter based at least in part upon the explanation data and the labor hours data.

47. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and a status identifier as to whether the disabled vehicle is nondriveable.

48. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) process the received vehicle repair data to determine whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any weekend days; and

(2) automatically compute the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and data corresponding the determination as to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any weekend days.

49. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) process the received vehicle repair data to determine whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days; and

(2) automatically compute the term-related parameter based at least in part on the explanation data and data corresponding the determination as to whether the time needed to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle will include any holiday days.

50. The system of claim 44 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store a plurality of adjustment amounts, each adjustment amount corresponding to an explanation for a repair delay, and wherein the processor is further configured to (1) process the explanation data to determine a stored adjustment amount associated therewith, and (2) automatically compute the estimate value based at least in part on the determined stored adjustment amount.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein the vehicle repair data identifies the explanation data as any of a plurality of predefined standardized explanation codes.

52. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) compare data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed; and

(2) automatically extend the rental vehicle reservation to a last authorized day in response to the comparison resulting in a determination that the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed.

53. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) compare data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter; and

(2) adjust the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation such that a last authorized day for the reservation coincides with the computed term-related parameter in response to the comparison.

54. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) compare data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed; and

(2) automatically send a request for an authorization to extend the rental vehicle reservation to a reservation manager in response to the comparison resulting in a determination that the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed.

55. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) compare data corresponding to an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed term-related parameter to determine whether the authorization period will end prior to the repairs being completed;

(2) determine whether a reservation manager for the rental vehicle reservation has an automated extension rule associated therewith; and

(3) in response to a determination that the reservation manager has an associated automated extension rule, automatically extend the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the automated extension rule.

56. The system of claim 55 wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to a determination that the reservation manager does not have an associated automated extension rule, automatically send a request for an authorization to extend the rental vehicle reservation to the reservation manager.

57. The system of claim 55 wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on a computer of at least one reservation manager having an associated business rule;

(2) receive input through the provided GUI screen; and

(3) define the automated extension rule associated with the at least one reservation manager in response to the received input.

58. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically schedule a callback reminder for the reservation based at least in part on the computed term-related parameter.

59. The system of claim 58 wherein the wherein the processor is further configured to automatically schedule the callback reminder for the reservation based at least in part on the computed term-related parameter.

60. The system of claim 58 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, wherein the memory is further configured to (1) store a plurality of business rules, each business rule defining how a callback reminder is to be scheduled based at least in part on the received vehicle repair data, wherein each stored business rule is associated with a party, and wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) determine a party associated with the received vehicle repair data;

(2) select the stored business rule that is associated with the determined party; and

(3) automatically schedule the callback reminder for the reservation based at least in part on the selected stored business rule.

61. The system of claim 60 wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on a computer of at least one of the parties with an associated business rule;

(2) receive input through the provided GUI screen; and

(3) define the business rule associated with the at least one party in response to the received input.

62. The system of claim 60 wherein the parties associated with the business rules comprise a plurality of different purchasers.

63. The system of claim 62 wherein the parties associated with the business rules comprise a plurality of different repair facilities.

64. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) provide a graphical user interface (GUI) screen for display on the repair facility computer system; and

(2) receive the vehicle repair data in response to user input through the provided GUI screen.

65. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor comprises a plurality of processors configured as a rental vehicle reservation management computer system.

66. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the computed term-related parameter.

67. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute a last authorized date for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the computed term-related parameter.

68. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute a callback reminder for the rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on the computed term-related parameter.

69. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically progress from the receipt of the vehicle repair data to the automatic computation of the term-related parameter.

70. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to progress from the receipt of the vehicle repair data to the automatic computation of the term-related parameter in response to user input.

71. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to distribute a cost for the reservation across a plurality of parties based at least in part upon the computed term-related parameter.

72. The system of claim 71 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, wherein the memory is further configured to (1) store a plurality of cost distribution rules, each cost distribution rule being associated with a party, and wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) determine a party associated with the rental vehicle reservation;

(2) select the stored cost distribution rule that is associated with the determined party; and

(3) perform the cost distribution in accordance with the selected cost distribution rule.

73. The system of claim 44 wherein the vehicle repair data further comprises an estimated completion date (ECD) and a labor hours estimate, and wherein the processor is further configured to:

(1) automatically compute the term-related parameter by automatically computing a target completion date (TCD) for the reservation based at least in part upon the explanation data and the labor hours estimate;

(2) compare the computed TCD with the ECD to determine which will control an extension process; and

(3) control the extension process using the determined one of the TCD and ECD as a result of the comparison.

74. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter through application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameter according to:

TD=┌

f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD)┐

wherein TD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by;

75. The system of claim 44 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, the memory configured to categorize a plurality of predefined repair delay explanations as corresponding to a member of the group consisting of an extension amount and an adjustment amount, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter through application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameter according to:

CD=┌

f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD)┐

wherein CD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by;

76. The system of claim 44 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, the memory configured to categorize a plurality of predefined repair delay explanations as corresponding to a member of the group consisting of an extension amount and an adjustment amount, wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the term-related parameter through application of a formula to the received vehicle repair data, the formula configured to compute the term-related parameter according to:

CD=┌

f(r)+WH(i,f(r),RSD)┐

wherein CD represents the estimate as to how long a repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, wherein f(r) represents a function of the received vehicle repair data r, and wherein WH(i,f(r),RSD) represents a weekends and holidays amount as defined for a purchaser i and based on the function f(r) and a reservation start date (RSD), wherein the function f(r) is represented by;

77. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to compute the value indicative of the estimate as to how long the repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle as a target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data.

78. The system of claim 77 wherein the processor is further configured to (1) compare an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed target number of days, (2) determine whether the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle based on the comparison, and (3) in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extend the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation.

79. The system of claim 78 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the target number of days for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for a plurality of different purchasers, and wherein the processor is further configured to (1) determine a purchaser for the rental vehicle reservation associated with the received vehicle repair data, and (2) automatically compute the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser.

80. The system of claim 79 wherein at least one of the purchaser-specific rules is configured to associate a plurality of repair delay explanations with a plurality of amounts that are representative of an increase to the target number of days for the repairs, and wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser by (1) processing the received repair delay explanation to determine the stored amount associated therewith for the determined purchaser, and (2) automatically computing the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the determined stored amount.

81. The system of claim 80 wherein the memory is further configured to store a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the authorization period is to be automatically extended for a plurality different purchasers, and wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extend the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the stored extension rules associated with the determined purchaser.

82. The system of claim 79 wherein at least a plurality of the stored rules are purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific, and wherein the processor is further configured to (1) determine the repair facility corresponding to the received vehicle repair data, (2) determine whether any of the stored rules are specific to the determined repair facility in combination with the determined purchaser, and (3) in response to a determination that the memory stores purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific rules governing how the target number of days for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility, automatically compute the target number of days for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility.

83. The system of claim 44 wherein the processor is further configured to compute the value indicative of the estimate as to how long the repair facility will need to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle as a target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data.

84. The system of claim 83 wherein the processor is further configured to (1) compare an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation with the computed target completion date, (2) determine whether the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle based on the comparison, and (3) in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extend the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation.

85. The system of claim 84 further comprising a memory for communication with the processor, wherein the memory is configured to store a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the target completion date for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for a plurality of different purchasers, and wherein the processor is further configured to (1) determine a purchaser for the rental vehicle reservation associated with the received vehicle repair data, and (2) automatically compute the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser.

86. The system of claim 85 wherein at least one of the purchaser-specific rules is configured to associate a plurality of repair delay explanations with a plurality of amounts that are representative of an increase to the target completion date for the repairs, and wherein the processor is further configured to automatically compute the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser by (1) processing the received repair delay explanation to determine the stored amount associated therewith for the determined purchaser, and (2) automatically computing the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the determined stored amount.

87. The system of claim 86 wherein the memory is further configured to store a plurality of purchaser-specific rules governing how the authorization period is to be automatically extended for a plurality different purchasers, and wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to a determination that the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation will end before the repairs are expected to be completed to the disabled vehicle, automatically extend the authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation in accordance with the stored extension rules associated with the determined purchaser.

88. The system of claim 85 wherein at least a plurality of the stored rules are purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific, and wherein the processor is further configured to (1) determine the repair facility corresponding to the received vehicle repair data, (2) determine whether any of the stored rules are specific to the determined repair facility in combination with the determined purchaser, and (3) in response to a determination that the memory stores purchaser-specific and repair facility-specific rules governing how the target completion date for repairs to a disabled vehicle are to be computed for the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility, automatically compute the target completion date for the repairs based at least in part on the explanation data and the stored rules associated with the determined purchaser and the determined repair facility.