System and method of managing an insurance scheme

• US 8,326,655 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2009
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Discovery Limited
• Original Assignee: Discovery Holdings Limited (Prudential PLC)
• Inventors: Gore, Adrian, Mayers, Herschel Phillip, Rabson, Kenneth Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Sereboff, Neal
• Application Number:
  US12/477,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20090299776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 705/3, 705/4, 705/35, 705/36.R, 705/38
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A system for managing an insurance scheme includes a benefit module to define at least one insured event for an insured person and to define at least one benefit to be paid out on the occurrence of one of the insured events. A calculation module alters the at least one benefit based on a) a time factor; and b) the life impact of the insured event on the insured person. An awards module, on the occurrence of the at least one insured event, provides the at least one altered benefit to the insured person.

Claims

1. A system for managing an insurance plan, comprising:

at least one computer server;

software stored on non-transitory storage medium connected to said least one computer and configured, when executed by said at least one computer, to

receive data defining at least one benefit to be paid out on the occurrence of at least one insured event under the insurance plan;

receive data relating to at least one insured event for an insured person;

receive data defining at least one initial benefit amount to be paid out on the occurrence of one of the insured events including data relating to a life impact value associated with a life impact of the insured event on the insured person;

assigning a criteria point value for a life impact of the insured event, wherein the criteria point value is proportionate to an actual impact of the insured event to the individual insured;

determine a duration point value of the insured event that is proportionate to an assessed duration of the impact of the insured event to the individual insured, and if the duration of the insured event is permanent, then the point value is based upon the insured'"'"'s age;

calculate the total life impact score by combining the life impact and duration point values;

calculate an earnings factor based upon an income growth expectation for the individual insured, wherein the earnings factor is greater where the individual insured had a high growth expectation as compared to a lower, or standard growth expectation;

calculate an altered benefit amount by adjusting the initial benefit amount by the total life impact score and the earnings factor; and

cause said at least one altered benefit to be paid to a nominated beneficiary.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the life impact criteria point value is defined based upon at least one criteria relating to the insured event selected from duration of impact;

invasiveness of surgery;

pharmacological;

therapy or rehabilitation required;

chemotherapy or radiotherapy; and

assisted devices required or care required.

3. A system for managing an insurance plan, comprising:

at least one computer server;

software stored on non-transitory storage medium connected to said least one computer and configured, when executed by said at least one computer, to

receive data defining at least one benefit to be paid out on the occurrence of at least one insured event under the insurance plan;

receive data relating to the age of, projected income of, and an insured event under the insurance plan experienced by, an insured of the insurance plan;

allocate a life impact point value to the insured event, based upon the life impact to the insured due to the insured event, wherein the criteria point value is proportionate to an actual impact of the insured event to the individual insured;

allocate a duration point value to the insured event, based upon a duration of impact to the insured due to the insured event;

combine the life impact point value and the duration point value to calculate a total lifetime impact score;

receive data relating to a salary growth expectation of the insured prior to the insured event;

calculate an salary growth expectation value based upon an income growth expectation for the individual insured, wherein the salary growth expectation value is greater where the individual insured had a high growth expectation as compared to a lower, or standard growth expectation;

calculate an altered benefit by adjusting the at least one benefit using the lifetime impact score and the salary growth expectation value of the insured;

cause said at least one altered benefit to be paid to a nominated beneficiary.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the software is further configured to

receive data relating to a series of categories defined by a combination of the life impact point value and the duration point value, each of the categories defining a percentage adjustment to the defined benefits to be paid;

adjusting the at least one benefit using the lifetime impact score and the salary growth expectation value of the insured includes adjusting a benefit to be paid to a nominated beneficiary of the insured by multiplying the at least one benefit by the percentage adjustment for the determined category for the insured event.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the software is further configured to

allocate a plurality of said series of categories each series defining unique percentage adjustments relative to the other, each of said series associated with a different salary growth expectation,

selecting one of the plurality of series for determining a category for the insured event based upon the salary growth expectations of the insured.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the life impact point value is defined based upon at least one criteria relating to the insured event selected from duration of impact, invasiveness of surgery, pharmacology, therapy, rehabilitation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, assisted devices required, and care required.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the insured event reduces the salary growth expectation of the insured.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein allocating a duration point value includes adjusting the duration to an expected time until retirement for the insured, where a duration of impact is expected to be permanent.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the expected time until retirement is determined by selecting the insureds from a series of age ranges.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein the insured event is death, disease, or disability.

11. The system of claim 3, wherein the duration point value is derived from a series of duration ranges.

12. A system for managing an insurance plan, comprising:

at least one computer server;

software stored on non-transitory storage medium connected to said least one computer and configured, when executed by said at least one computer, to

receive information relating to an insured event of the insured occurring to an individual insured of the insurance plan;

obtain an initial benefit amount based upon the insured event;

determine a life impact of the insured event by assigning a criteria point value for a life impact of the insured event, wherein the criteria point value is proportionate to an actual impact of the insured event to the individual insured;

determine a duration point value of the insured event that is proportionate to an assessed duration of the impact of the insured event to the individual insured, and if the duration of the insured event is permanent, then the point value is based upon the insured'"'"'s age;

calculate the total life impact score by combining the life impact and duration point values;

calculate an earnings factor based upon an income growth expectation for the individual insured;

calculate an adjusted insured event benefit amount by adjusting the initial benefit amount by the total life impact score and the earnings factor, wherein the earnings factor and the adjusted insured event benefit amount is greater where the individual insured had a high growth expectation as compared to a lower, or standard growth expectation; and

cause the at least one altered benefit to be paid to a nominated beneficiary.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the software is further configured to

receive data relating to salary growth expectations of the insured prior to the insured event,

allocate a plurality of said series of categories each series defining unique percentage adjustments relative to the other, each of said series associated with a different salary growth expectation,

selecting one of the plurality of series for determining a category for the insured event based upon the salary growth expectations of the insured, and

using the selected one of the plurality of series in calculating an earnings factor.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the life impact point value is defined based upon at least one criteria relating to the insured event selected from duration of impact, invasiveness of surgery, pharmacology, therapy, rehabilitation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, assisted devices required, and care required.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the insured event reduces the salary growth expectation of the insured.