System and method for providing multiple real-time pricing quotes based on optional consumer variables

• US 7,725,358 B1
• Filed: 12/28/2005
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Lay, Allen Bryant, Baird, Lisa Ott, Brown, Kathy Lynne
• Primary Examiner(s): Garg; Yogesh C
• Application Number:
  US11/320,069
• Time in Patent Office: 1,609 Days
• Field of Search: 705/4, 705/26, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/26.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0611 Request for offers or quotes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A method and system for providing multiple real-time pricing quotes based on optional consumer variables is disclosed. A user accesses a web site and is provided with a web page enabling the user to choose a product with multiple optional features. Upon selection of the product and desired features, the user is provided with pricing information for the selected products and features and provided with the option to modify the product be selecting different features. Upon selection of the modification, the user is provided with a web page simultaneously displaying the original selection and associated feature prices and the modification and associated feature prices.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a processor and memory;

a first subsystem deployed in the memory and executed by the processor to receive a product selection of a product;

a second subsystem deployed in the memory and executed by the processor to determine whether a user associated with the product selection has purchased a previous product similar to the product in response to receipt of the product selection;

a third subsystem deployed in the memory and executed by the processor to select a set of variable features of the product to include at least some variable features of the previous product based on a determination that the user has purchased the previous product similar to the product;

a fourth subsystem deployed in the memory and executed by the processor to display on a user interface the selected set of the variable features and corresponding fields to customize the selected set of the variable features;

a fifth subsystem deployed in the memory and executed by the processor to receive customization information for the selected set of the variable features in at least one field of the corresponding fields;

a sixth subsystem deployed in the memory and executed by the processor to retrieve a plurality of prices including a first price of the plurality of prices being for the product associated with the selected set of the variable features and a second price of the plurality of prices for the product being associated with the customized set of the variable features; and

a seventh subsystem deployed in the memory and executed by the processor to simultaneously display the plurality of prices, the selected set of the variable features, and the corresponding fields with the customized set of the variable features.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the product includes automobile insurance.

3. The computer system of claim 2, wherein the set of the variable features includes type of coverage, deductible amount and coverage limits.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the second subsystem is configured to:

identify a user associated with the product selection based on receipt of the product selection;

access previous product purchase information associated with the user from a database, the previous product purchase information including a plurality of previous product features, the plurality of previous product features including the at least some product features of the previous product;

compare the plurality of previous product features to a plurality of available features of the product to identify a match of the at least some product features of the previous product; and

identify the previous product similar to the product based on the match.

5. A method comprising:

using one or more processors to perform the following receiving a product selection of a product;

determining whether a user associated with the product selection has purchased a previous product similar to the product in response to the receiving of the product selection;

selecting a set of variable features of the product to include at least some variable features of the previous product based on a determination that the user has purchased the previous product similar to the product;

displaying on a user interface the selected set of the variable features and corresponding fields to customize the selected set of the variable features;

receiving customization information for the selected set of the variable features in at least one field of the corresponding fields;

retrieving a plurality of prices including a first price of the plurality of prices being for the product associated with the selected set of the variable features and a second price of the plurality of prices being for the product associated with the customized set of the variable features; and

simultaneously displaying the plurality of prices, the selected set of the variable features, and the corresponding fields with the customized set of the variable features.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the product includes automobile insurance.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the set of the variable features includes type of coverage, deductible amount and coverage limits.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining comprises:

identifying a user associated with the product selection based on the receiving of the product selection;

accessing previous product purchase information associated with the user from a database, the previous product purchase information including a plurality of previous product features, the plurality of previous product features including the at least some product features of the previous product;

comparing the plurality of previous product features to a plurality of available features of the product to identify a match of the at least some product features of the previous product; and

identifying the previous product similar to the product based on the match.

9. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions, which when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

receive a product selection of a product;

determine whether a user associated with the product selection has purchased a previous product similar to the product in response to receipt of the product selection;

select a set of variable features of the product to include at least some variable features of the previous product based on a determination that the user has purchased the previous product similar to the product;

display on a user interface the selected set of the variable features and corresponding fields to customize the selected set of the variable features;

receive customization information for the selected set of the variable features in at least one field of the corresponding fields;

retrieve a plurality of prices including a first price of the plurality of prices being for the product associated with the selected set of the variable features and a second price of the plurality of prices being for the product associated with the customized set of the variable features; and

simultaneously display the plurality of prices, the selected set of the variable features, and the corresponding fields with the customized set of the variable features.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the product includes automobile insurance.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the set of the variable features includes type of coverage, deductible amount and coverage limits.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the computer-readable instruction to determine comprises:

identifying a user associated with the product selection based on the receiving of the product selection;

accessing previous product purchase information associated with the user from a database, the previous product purchase information including a plurality of previous product features, the plurality of previous product features including the at least some product features of the previous product;

comparing the plurality of previous product features to a plurality of available features of the product to identify a match of the at least some product features of the previous product; and

identifying the previous product similar to the product based on the match.