Method and systems for virtual insurance adjusting

• US 20050038682A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lautriv Technology
• Original Assignee: Lautriv Technology
• Inventors: Conner, Gary L., Gandee, Gregory M.
• Application Number:
  US10/682,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20050038682A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

Methods and systems for insurance adjusting for property casualty losses are provided. A communication link is established between the location of the property casualty loss and an insurance company. The communication link can provide real-time audio and visual communications between the insurance company, the owner of the property which suffered the casualty loss and a third party. The insurance company can receive visual identification of the property casualty loss without actually visiting the property, thereby reducing costs to the insurance company.

Claims

1. A method for insurance adjusting for property casualty losses comprising:

initiating a real-time audio and visual communication link between a location of a property casualty loss and an insurance company;

allowing a customer of the insurance company to communicate with the insurance company over the communication link;

providing visual identification of the property casualty loss over the communication link; and

obtaining authorization for repairs of the property casualty loss based upon the visual identification.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication link comprises a wireless communication link.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the wireless communication link comprises a satellite communication link.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the communication link further comprises a data communication link.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication between the customer and the insurance company is initiated by a third party.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual portion of the audio-visual communication employs a separate visual capture device than employed for providing the visual identification of the property casualty loss.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recording and monitoring usage of the communication link; and

billing the insurance company for the usage of the communication link.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the usage is based on an amount of data carried over the communication link.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the usage is based on an amount of time in which the communication link is used.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication link comprises a first communication link and a second communication link, the first communication link is employed for allowing the customer to communicate and the second communication link is employed for providing the visual identification.

5. The method of claim i, wherein the communication between the customer and the insurance company is initiated by a mitigation company and the authorization for repairs are for restoration work to the property.

12. A method for insurance adjusting for property casualty losses comprising:

establishing a real-time audio and visual communication link between an insurance company and a location of a property casualty loss;

communicating with a customer of the insurance company over the communication link;

requesting visual identification of the property casualty loss;

receiving the visual identification over the communication link; and

providing authorization for repairs for the property casualty loss.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication link comprises a wireless communication link.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the wireless communication link comprises a satellite communication link.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the communication link further comprises a data communication link.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein equipment at the location of the property casualty loss for establishing the communication link is provided by a mitigation company.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein equipment at the location of the property casualty loss for establishing the communication link is provided by a third party.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving a bill for usage of the communication link.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication link comprises a first communication link and a second communication link, the first communication link is employed for allowing the customer to communicate and the second communication link is employed for providing the visual identification.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

storing data received over the communication link.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

requesting visual identification of a source of the property casualty loss.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the visual identification of the source of the property casualty loss is employed in obtaining subrogation of an insurance claim based on the property casualty loss.

23. A system for insurance adjusting for property casualty losses comprising:

a satellite dish;

a transceiver connected to the satellite dish;

a computer connected to the transceiver; and

audio and visual equipment connected to the computer, wherein the computer displays real-time audio and visual information received from an insurance company via the satellite dish, and the audio-visual equipment provides real-time audio and visual communication between a customer of the insurance company and the insurance company, and provides real-time video of the customer'"'"'s damaged property.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the audio and visual equipment comprises video conference equipment which provides the audio and visual communication between a customer of the insurance company and the insurance company, and a camera provides the video of the customer'"'"'s damaged property.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the camera is a video camera which captures motion images.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the video camera also captures still images.

27. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

a router which connects the computer to the transceiver.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the computer is a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a personal digital assistant.

29. The system of claim 23, wherein the satellite dish, the transceiver, the computer and the audio-visual equipment is operated by a mitigation company.

30. The system of claim 23, wherein the satellite dish, the transceiver, the computer and the audio-visual equipment is operated by a third party.

31. The system of claim 23, wherein the computer comprises a user interface which provides real-time audio and visual communication between the customer and the insurance company.

32. A system for insurance adjusting for property casualty losses comprising:

a satellite dish;

a transceiver connected to the satellite dish; and

a server connected to the transceiver and a network,

wherein the satellite dish receives real-time audio and visual information from a property insured by an insurance company and transmits real-time audio and visual information received from the insurance company, and

wherein the server determines an amount of usage of a communication link comprising the satellite dish, a satellite and another satellite dish.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the network is the Internet.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein the server establishes the communication link.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein the satellite dish and the transceiver are operated by a third party.