METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING AN INSURED TO AN INSURER USING A MOBILE DEVICE

• US 20100174564A1
• Filed: 01/06/2010
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CHC LLC
• Original Assignee: Mark Stender, Paul Simeone
• Inventors: Simeone, Paul, Stender, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,401,878 B2
• 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 system and method for connecting an insured to an insurer using a mobile device in order to provide insurance services. The mobile device, which is associated with the insured, includes a mobile insurance module that is in communication with a server insurance module of a server, which is associated with the insurer. Together, the mobile insurance module and the server insurance module establish a communication channel with the insurer over which insurance services (e.g., requesting a quote, buying a policy, filing a claim and reviewing account information) are provided. The communication channel leverages the technological capabilities of the mobile device, such as a smart phone, to deliver data in a fast, efficient and integrated manner having robust functionalities.

Claims

1. A method for connecting an insured to an insurer comprising:

establishing a communication channel between an insured and an insurer using a mobile insurance module of a mobile device associated with the insured and a server insurance module of a server associated with the insurer; and

providing an insurance service across the communication channel.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

capturing insurance data using a mode of the mobile device selected from the group consisting of;

a telephone mode, a short message service text mode, an e-mail mode, a camera mode, a video recorder mode, a voice recorder mode, a global positioning system mode and a touch screen interface mode; and

transmitting the insurance data across the communication channel using the mobile insurance module of the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

supplementing the insurance data by requesting additional insurance data from third party providers;

wherein the step of transmitting the insurance data transmits all of the insurance data, including the additional insurance data, required to provide the insurance service;

wherein the step of providing the insurance service occurs substantially immediately after the step of establishing the communication channel.

6. The method of claim 1,

wherein the step of establishing the communication channel further comprises:

transmitting an identifier of the mobile device to the server insurance module using the mobile insurance module of the mobile device; and

automatically authenticating the mobile insurance module based on the identifier of the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1,

wherein the mobile insurance module uses a related table data structure.

8. The method of claim 1,

wherein the mobile insurance device comprises a web insurance module configured to capture further insurance data associated with an asset of an insured.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a request for assistance across the communication channel using the mobile insurance module of the mobile device; and

wherein the step of providing the insurance service further comprises;

connecting an insured with an agent of an insurer using the mobile insurance device of the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 9,

wherein the step of transmitting the request for assistance includes data related to a current content of a display of the mobile device;

and

wherein the method further comprises;

selecting the agent of an insurer with whom to connect an insured based on the current content of the display of the mobile device; and

transmitting the current content of the display of the mobile device to the agent of an insurer.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

periodically collecting a latitude and a longitude of the mobile device using a global positioning system mode of the mobile device;

transmitting a request for assistance across the communication channel using the mobile insurance module of the mobile device, wherein the request includes the latitude and the longitude of the mobile device;

periodically transmitting the latitude and the longitude of the mobile device until terminated by the mobile device; and

wherein the date/timestamp and latitude/longitude are recorded in the metadata of the insurance information for authenticity.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

downloading the mobile insurance module using the mobile device;

installing the mobile insurance module on the mobile device; and

registering a user account using the mobile insurance module, wherein the step of registering further comprises transmitting insurance data across the communication channel, wherein the insurance data includes an identifier of the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting a request for a quick quote of a policy across the communication channel using the mobile insurance device, wherein the quick quote includes a binder;

transmitting an acceptance of the binder to purchase the policy across the communication channel using the mobile insurance device; and

receiving an insurance identification card across the communication channel using the mobile insurance device, wherein the insurance identification card is proof of insurance.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

transmitting a claim request across the communication channel using the mobile insurance device;

wherein the step of providing the insurance service further comprises;

immediately receiving notification of settlement of the claim request and release of funds across the communication channel using the mobile insurance device.

20. A system for connecting an insured to an insurer, the system comprising:

a mobile device associated with an insured having a first processor and a first memory, wherein the first memory has a mobile insurance module stored therein; and

a server associated with an insurer having a second processor and a second memory, wherein the second memory has a server insurance module stored therein;

wherein the mobile insurance module and the server insurance module interact to perform the method of claim 1.

21. The system of claim 20,

wherein the mobile device further comprises a mode from the group consisting of:

a telephone mode, a short message service text mode, an e-mail mode, a camera mode, a video recorder mode, a voice recorder mode, a global positioning system mode and a touch screen interface mode; and

wherein the system further comprises;

an insured customer database connected to the networked server; and

a third party data source connected to the networked server.

22. The system of claim 20,

wherein the mobile insurance module is self-authenticated to communicate across the communication channel based on an identifier of the mobile device;

and

wherein the mobile insurance module is configured to collect all insurance data required to process, approve and deliver the insurance service across the communication channel.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

15. A method for providing an insurance service comprising:

receiving, using a server insurance module on a networked server of an insurer, a request for an insurance service from a mobile insurance module on a mobile device;

determining, using the server insurance module, whether the request satisfies processing criteria; and

, if so,

delivering, using the server insurance module, the insurance service to the mobile insurance module on the mobile device.

16. The method of claim 15,

wherein the request further comprises insurance data including a format selected from the group consisting of:

telephone, text, e-mail, digital photograph, digital video, voice recording and latitude and longitude;

wherein the processing criteria further comprises receiving insurance data of one or more of the format; and

wherein the step of delivering the insurance service further comprises;

delivering the insurance service substantially immediately after receiving the request using the server insurance module.

17. The method of claim 15,

wherein the request further comprises:

an identifier associated with the mobile device that transmitted the request and an account identification number of an insured that transmitted the request;

wherein the processing criteria is an authentication of the request; and

wherein the method further comprises;

determining if the identifier is associated with the account identification number using the server insurance module; and

, if so,

authenticating the request.

18. The method of claim 15,

wherein the request further comprises insurance data required to deliver the insurance services;

and

wherein the method further comprises;

editing the insurance data using a customer service representative insurance module connected to the server insurance module.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

transmitting a request relating to insurance data to a third party data source or an insurer customer database external to the networked server using the server insurance module;

receiving additional insurance data from the third party data source or the insurer customer database using the server insurance module; and

wherein the processing criteria is based on the additional insurance data.