AGENCY SERVICE CENTER

• US 20060265254A1
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: WestGUARD Insurance Co. (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Guard Insurance Group
• Inventors: RICHARDSON, JOHN H., WITKOWSKI, CARL J., THOMPSON, LISA M., AMBRUSO, VICTOR T.
• Application Number:
  US10/908,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20060265254A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A client-server system (Agency Service Center) for facilitating business-to-business transactions between an insurance carrier and an independent insurance agency is provided. The system obviates the need for client configuration and is comprised of a web-based interface that provides for self-service online access to a server-side object repository storing insurance policy information. Simultaneous access to a common object repository storing policy information enables a server machine to mirror access granted to a client machine such that users at both computer workstations/terminals are provided an identical view of the accessed data. Also provided are customized commission schedules are generated for a client insurance agency. Also provided is an automated visit process to pending claims and insurance policies upon which activity is required; an insurance carrier sends a message through the Agency Service Center to prompt an agent at an insurance agency to perform the necessary actions on an indicated policy or claim.

Claims

1. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access to a repository storing insurance policy and policyholder information;

said system comprising;

means for rendering a web-based interface at an agent terminal, said web-based interface used to access and modify insurance policy related information stored in said repository;

means for submitting, rating, and tracking a new request for coverage;

means for generating a report based on tracked activity, said reports comprising any of, or a combination of;

a policy transaction report, a claims transaction report, or a accounting and collections information report;

means for storing said generated reports in said repository; and

means for notifying an agent and reminding said agent to access said web-based interface for said generated reports.

2. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1, wherein said policy transactions report identifies policy issuance, endorsement, cancellation, reinstatement, and final audit activity occurring on a daily basis as well as new messages posted for the agency.

3. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1, wherein said claims transactions report identifies accounts which require loss runs to be prepared for a variety of reasons as well as recently closed claims.

4. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1, wherein said accounting and collections information report is sent whenever a new commission statement or agency statement has been processed or when a final notice of unpaid audit is sent to the policyholder.

5. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1, wherein said notification is via an electronic tickle message.

6. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1, wherein said notification is a facsimilie notification.

7. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1, wherein said access is comprised of:

searching and sorting issued policies.

8. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 7, wherein said issued policies are search by either of:

inception or expiration date range.

9. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 7, wherein said issued policies are sorted by any of:

name of insured member, policy number, and expiration date.

10. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1, wherein said reports further comprises:

agency usage of said interface, agent monthly visitations, policy transactions, claims transactions, and commissions schedules.

11. A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1, wherien said system further comprises means for impersonating an agent to provide one-on-one instructions in support training.

12. A system for dynamically coordinating and facilitating insurance-related policy functions, said system comprising:

agent access to any of;

insurance policy, policyholder account, and claim activity information;

new and renewed insurance policy account submissions claim activity analysis and insurance policy transactions;

a means of monitoring said agent access;

said monitoring based on agent privileges and said agent access permitted by said agent privileges; and

a direct communication of any of;

pending and overdue insurance policy calculations based on said agent access.

13. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access to a repository of insurance policy and policyholder information;

said method comprising;

connecting over a communications link to an agent computer workstation/terminal to a server storing said repository;

performing insurance-related functions comprising accessing, modifying, and analyzing information stored in said repository at said agent computer workstation/terminal and submitting new insurance applicant information;

analyzing either of;

policy or claim transactions, based on said insurance-related activities performed;

sending, over said communication link, said analysis of either of said policy or claim transactions; and

dynamically modifying messages to be sent over said communications link;

said message comprising a lists of future insurance-related functions to be performed by said agent.

14. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access to a repository storing insurance policy and policyholder information;

said method comprising;

rendering a web-based interface at an agent terminal, said web-based interface used to access and submit, rate, track, and modify insurance policy related information stored in said repository;

generating a report based on tracked activity, said reports comprising any of, or a combination of;

a policy transaction report, a claims transaction report, or a accounting and collections information report;

storing said generated reports in said repository; and

notifying an agent and reminding said agent to access said web-based interface for said generated reports.

15. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14, wherein said policy transactions report identifies policy issuance, endorsement, cancellation, reinstatement, and final audit activity occurring on a daily basis as well as new messages posted for the agency.

16. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14, wherein said claims transactions report identifies accounts which require loss runs to be prepared for a variety of reasons as well as recently closed claims.

17. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14, wherein said accounting and collections information report is sent whenever a new commission statement or agency statement has been processed or when a final notice of unpaid audit is sent to the policyholder.

18. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14, wherein said notification is via an electronic tickle message.

19. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14, wherein said notification is a facsimilie notification.

20. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14, wherein said access is comprised of:

searching and sorting issued policies.

21. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 20, wherein said issued policies are search by either of:

inception or expiration date range.

22. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 20, wherein said issued policies are sorted by any of:

name of insured member, policy number, and expiration date.

23. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14, wherein said reports further comprises:

agency usage of said interface, agent monthly visitations, policy transactions, claims transactions, and commissions schedules.

24. A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14, wherien said method further comprises the step of impersonating an agent to provide one-on-one instructions in support training.