Determining and initiating insurance claim events

• US 10,181,159 B1
• Filed: 05/15/2014
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Allen, Michael J., Devereaux, Ramsey, Read, Spencer, Franck, David S., Voutour, Teddy J., Limas, Shanna, Chandler, William, Burns, Michael P., Wheeler, Daniela, Swain, Kathleen L., Burgess, Cleburne R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Borlinghaus, Jason
• Application Number:
  US14/278,182
• Time in Patent Office: 1,706 Days
• Field of Search: 705 4, 705 36 R, 705 39, 705302, 3405391, 34053912
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2218/12 Classification; Matching
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/00 Business processing using cryptography postage metering system using cryptography G06Q2250/05
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/176 Urban or other man-made structures

Abstract

A computer device and method for processing loss related data to detect and initiate insurance claim events. Data is received from one or more sensor devices relating to insured property. Analysis is performed on the received data to determine one or more claim events regarding the insured property. An insurance policy, other product, or service contract associated with the insured property is received and analyzed to determine coverage for the insured property as prescribed by the insurance policy, other product, or service contract. Predefined business rules are applied using the determined one or more claim events and the determined coverage to determine if the insurance policy, other product, or service contract supports a claim regarding the one or more claim events. Notification of the claim is provided if it is determined supported by the insurance policy, other product, or service contract.

Claims

1. A sensor system for capturing data, the sensor system comprising:

a plurality of sensor devices each configured to capture data relating to a property, wherein each sensor device includes a transmitter having an associated IP address coupled to a wireless network for transmitting the captured data, and wherein each sensor device periodically captures data relating to the property in accordance with a data capture frequency value;

a data storage component wirelessly coupled to each of the plurality of sensor devices via the associated IP address of the transmitter for each of the sensor devices, wherein the data storage component aggregates the captured data relating to the property received from each of the sensor devices;

a communication component coupled to the data storage component that encrypts and transmits the aggregated captured data via the wireless network;

a computer server coupled to the communication component, via the wireless network, and programmed to;

receive a first set of captured encrypted data from an appliance sensor configured to collect data regarding a plurality of categories of appliance data, wherein the appliance data is associated with a first appliance from one or more appliances within the property and comprises operating parameters comprising an age value and a length of service value associated with the first appliance;

upon analyzing appliance data of the first appliance with respect to an operating parameter, identify an environmental sensor situated at or near the first appliance, wherein the environmental sensor is configured to collect environmental data;

generate and transmit an instruction to the environmental sensor situated at or near the first appliance to measure environmental data, wherein the instruction modifies an additional data capture frequency value of the environmental sensor situated at or near the first appliance by commanding an immediate measurement of environmental data;

receive a second set of captured encrypted data from the environmental sensor comprising environmental data;

determine an appliance condition for the first appliance based on the first set of captured encrypted data exceeding a threshold value and the second set of captured encrypted data; and

generate and transmit an electronic message to a remote computing device comprising a notification based upon the determined appliance condition for the first appliance.

2. The sensor system as recited in claim 1, wherein the notification identifies one or more potential claims associated with the property.

3. The sensor system as recited in claim 2, wherein the notification relates to a structural condition of the property.

4. The sensor system as recited in claim 2, wherein the notification relates to repairs to be made regarding the property.

5. The sensor system as recited in claim 2, wherein the notification relates to one or more appliances associated with the property.

6. The sensor system as recited in claim 5, wherein the notification relates to repairs to be made regarding the one or more appliances associated with the property.

7. The sensor system as recited in claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor is configured to collect a plurality of categories of property information comprises one or more of temperature;

humidity;

water;

wind speed;

motion;

electrical;

structural;

environmental;

appliance and camera.

8. The sensor system as recited in claim 1, wherein the notification comprises an amount owed for one or more repair actions to be taken for the property.

9. The sensor system as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer server is further programmed to determine one or more third party vendors regarding repairs to be made to the first appliance.