Method for Efficient Processing of Insurance Claims

Abstract

Rooms, structures, vehicles, and other objects can be accurately diagrammed, often without performing a physical on-site inspection. Photographs of a room, structure, vehicle, or other object are uploaded to a computer having a processor. A base calibration measure is determined for a room, structure, vehicle, object, or component thereof, depicted in the photographs using at least one known dimension for items observable in the photographs. The base calibration measure is then used to determine dimensions of other areas, items, or objects depicted in such photographs, and to create at least one scale diagram of the subject matter of the photographs. Damages areas of the structure / vehicle / object can be assessed from the scale diagram. The scale diagram can then be used to calculate appropriate insurance payment amounts for damage claims.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 261,032, filed Apr. 24, 2014, currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 931,892, filed Jun. 29, 2013, now abandoned.STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT[0002]NONEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1.Field of the Invention[0003]The technology disclosed herein relates generally to a system for generating scale diagrams of an area, structure, or object using photographs and is particularly directed to computerized system of the type which uses scale diagrams generated from photographs to efficiently process loss claims including, without limitation, casualty insurance claims.2. Brief Description of the Prior Art[0004]Many insured property damage claims require a physical inspection by at least one adjuster. Such adjusters, who are frequently employees or contractors...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The technology described in this patent increases the number of fast track loss / casualty claims while reducing costs associated with inspection claims. It improves customer service and satisfaction by speeding up the claims adjusting process. It allows inside adjusters to accurately diagram rooms, structures, and objects by using photographs without the need for physical on-site inspection. The technology also allows field adjusters to inspect more properties during times of higher claims volume and improves safety by reducing the amount of time a field adjustor is required to remain on-site at a damaged location.

Problems solved by technology

However, such fast track claims are typically processed without significant information regarding the property at issue, as well as the nature and extent of the alleged damages.

As a result, such existing fast track claims are typically highly vulnerable to inaccuracies and / or inequities in the claims adjustment process.

Moreover, such fast track claims currently represent a fairly small percentage of property damage insurance claims.

Every on-site inspection has inherent costs, whether such inspection is performed by an insurance company employee or a third-party contractor.

However, such inspection costs can also include other expenses, such as vehicle, fuel, maintenance, vacation and benefit costs, as well as workers compensation insurance.

Physical inspections also expose company and contract adjustors to a risk of personal injury or death, particularly at property locations that have suffered significant damage.

Physical inspections, which are also time consuming and labor intensive, can also substantially delay the claim adjusting process.

Such delay is especially common during times of higher claims volume, such as following extreme weather events or natural disasters when multiple property locations are damaged or destroyed.

This delay can have a detrimental effect on customer service and customer satisfaction.

Images