Mobile Image Capture for Faster Insurance Quote Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of applying for a car insurance policy is complex and time-consuming due to the need for consumers to provide extensive personal and vehicle information, which is difficult to collect and verify, leading to incomplete applications and inefficient comparison of quotes from different insurance companies.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device application captures images of documents like driver's licenses and vehicle identification numbers to extract necessary information, which is processed and transmitted to insurance companies for quote generation, allowing for direct comparison of quotes from multiple providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If consumers manually input extensive personal and vehicle information to complete insurance applications, then the application can be completed with required details, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile device cameras to capture images of documents (driver's licenses, vehicle registration, insurance cards) as copies of the required information. This eliminates the need for consumers to manually type extensive personal and vehicle details, significantly reducing completion time while maintaining information completeness through automated document imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual data entry process with automated optical character recognition (OCR) technology. The system captures document images and automatically extracts text information, substituting the manual typing mechanism with an automated optical and computational process that achieves both speed and accuracy
2Reliability
If consumers manually collect and verify extensive personal and vehicle information, then the application can be processed, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile devices as intermediary tools between consumers and the information collection process. The mobile device captures document images and transmits them to the insurance company's processing system, acting as a mediator that simplifies the complex task of gathering and verifying multiple types of personal and vehicle information through a single user-friendly interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual verification processes with automated image processing and optical character recognition systems. The system automatically extracts, validates, and cross-references information from captured document images, substituting the complex mechanical process of manual data collection and verification with automated computational processes
3Reliability
If insurance companies manually process and verify application information from third party databases, then the verification can be performed, but additional processing time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing and transmitting document images to the insurance company before the traditional manual verification process begins. The system pre-processes the information extraction and transmission steps, allowing the insurance company to receive and begin processing verified information immediately, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining thorough verification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the manual verification process with automated optical character recognition and image processing systems. The system automatically extracts information from captured document images and compares it with third party database records, replacing the mechanical manual verification process with automated computational verification that is both thorough and faster
4Adaptability or versatility
If consumers complete separate applications with multiple insurance companies, then they can compare quotes, but the complexity and time required to collect information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mobile application that serves multiple functions: capturing document images, extracting information, transmitting data to different insurance companies, and comparing quotes. This single multi-functional application replaces the need for consumers to manually collect and organize information for multiple separate applications, enabling efficient quote comparison across multiple insurance providers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the information collection, verification, and quote comparison processes into a single integrated mobile application. By combining these previously separate tasks into one unified system, the patent eliminates the repetitive time-consuming process of collecting the same information for multiple insurance companies while maintaining the ability to compare quotes from multiple providers
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for using a mobile device to submit an application for an insurance policy using images of documents captured by the mobile device are provided herein. The information is then used by an insurance company to generate a quote which is then displayed to the user on the mobile device. A user captures images of one or more documents containing information needed to complete an insurance application, after which the information on the documents is extracted and sent to the insurance company where a quote for the insurance policy can be developed. The quote can then be transmitted back to the user. Applications on the mobile device are configured to capture images of the documents needed for an insurance application, such as a driver's license, insurance information card or a vehicle identification number (VIN). The images are then processed to extract the information needed for the insurance application.