Systems and methods for early identification of a total loss vehicle

• US 8,364,505 B1
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company (Allstate Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Allstate Insurance Company (Allstate Corporation)
• Inventors: Kane, Michael Sinclair, Galant, Alan D., Woirol, Angela K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phongsvirajati, Sind
• Application Number:
  US11/014,808
• Time in Patent Office: 2,962 Days
• Field of Search: 705 2- 4, 705/400, 701/29
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

Systems and methods implement a rules-based decision engine that identifies vehicles with a high total loss potential based on vehicle details and damage information. This can be done by applying weights to the various criteria and comparing a sum of the applied weights to a threshold. An update mode allows for the subsequent update of the determination of whether the vehicle is a likely total loss based on additionally acquired information.

Claims

1. A computer-assisted method for identifying a likely total loss vehicle comprising:

prior to a physical inspection of a vehicle by an insurance provider to generate repair estimate data, receiving data originating from a customer describing events a vehicle went through by prompting a plurality of questions regarding the events the vehicle went through, and receiving a response to the plurality of questions;

a computing system applying non-monetary weights to the data based on the response to each question;

the computing system determining a cumulative value representing the non-monetary weights applied to the data;

the computing system analyzing the data using a data processor to determine whether the data meets a predetermined threshold value indicating a likelihood of total loss by comparing the cumulative value to the threshold and classifying the vehicle as a likely total loss if the cumulative value exceeds the threshold;

the computing system automatically generating a total loss assignment when the value exceeds the threshold;

the computing system electronically transmitting the total loss assignment to an entity corresponding to the total loss assignment;

the computing system selecting a method of inspection when the cumulative value does not meet the threshold;

the computing system automatically generating a method of inspection assignment when the cumulative value does not meet the threshold; and

the computing system electronically transmitting the method of inspection assignment to an entity corresponding to the method of inspection assignment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the response to each question indicates one or more actions performed on the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a first predetermined value is assigned if the vehicle rolled over, and a second predetermined value is assigned if a person was cut out of the vehicle.

4. A computer-assisted method for identifying a likely total loss vehicle comprising:

prior to a physical inspection of a vehicle by an insurance provider to generate repair estimate data, receiving in a memory of a data processing system, data from a customer describing events the customer'"'"'s vehicle went through;

the data processing system assigning non-monetary weights to the data stored in the memory;

the data processing system determining a cumulative value representing the non-monetary weights assigned to the data;

the data processing system comparing the cumulative value to a threshold value to determine whether the vehicle is a likely total loss; and

the data processing system outputting a notification from the data processing system indicating the vehicle is a likely total loss when the data meets the threshold.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein receiving data includes:

prompting on a display at least one question regarding the condition of a vehicle; and

receiving user input providing a response to the at least one question.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

prompting a follow up question based on the response.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

the data processing system automatically generating a total loss assignment when the vehicle is a likely total loss; and

the data processing system electronically transmitting the total loss assignment to an entity corresponding to the total loss assignment.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

the data processing system selecting a method of inspection when the data does not meet the threshold;

the data processing system automatically generating an assignment for a selected method of inspection; and

the data processing system electronically transmitting the assignment to an entity corresponding to the assignment.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the data comprises one or more events the vehicle went through.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more events comprises the vehicle rolling over.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein the data comprises one or more actions performed on the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more actions comprises a person being cut out of the vehicle.

13. A non-transitory computer readable storage media storing computer executable instructions that, when executed, perform a method for identifying a likely total loss vehicle, said method comprising:

prior to a physical inspection of a vehicle by an insurance provider to generate repair estimate data, inputting data received from a customer corresponding to damaging events the vehicle went through, into an automated system;

analyzing the data using the automated system to determine whether the data meets a threshold of a likelihood of total loss;

automatically generating a total loss assignment when the vehicle is a likely total loss; and

transmitting the total loss assignment to an entity corresponding to the total loss assignment.

14. The computer readable storage media of claim 13, said method further comprising:

selecting a method of inspection when the data does not meet the threshold;

generating an assignment for a selected method of inspection; and

transmitting the assignment to an entity corresponding to the assignment.

15. The computer readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the data is received from a customer by:

prompting at least one question regarding the condition of a vehicle; and

receiving a response to the at least one question.

16. The computer readable storage media of claim 15, said method further comprising:

prompting a follow up question based on the response.

17. The computer readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the data comprises one or more events the vehicle went through.

18. The computer readable storage media of claim 17, wherein the one or more events comprises the vehicle rolling over.

19. The computer readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the data comprises one or more actions performed on the vehicle.

20. The computer readable storage media of claim 19, wherein the one or more actions comprises a person being cut out of the vehicle.