Travel Insurance Data Format Translation and Policy Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Travel service providers face a time-consuming integration process with travel insurers, limiting the ability to offer flexible and up-to-date travel insurance options due to the need to code to specific XML specifications and lack of verification by the insurer.
Innovation Solution
Allowing travel service providers to send itinerary data in their preferred format, with an XML processor converting it if necessary, enabling the travel insurer to determine optimal policy options and verify their appropriateness, while allowing the service provider to implement product selection logic and adapt to consumer needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If travel service providers code to the travel insurer's XML specification, then integration is achieved, but the integration process becomes extensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that translates between the travel service provider's existing data formats and the travel insurer's XML specification. This intermediary layer eliminates the need for service providers to directly code to the insurer's complex XML schema, significantly reducing integration time while maintaining reliable data exchange through automated translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy or representation of the data exchange interface that allows service providers to work with familiar, simpler data formats. This copy maintains the essential information needed for insurance processing while avoiding the complexity of the original XML specification, thereby reducing integration effort and time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If travel service providers implement product selection logic on their own systems, then product choice flexibility is achieved, but the travel insurer cannot verify product choices or provide optimal options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the travel insurer's system receives product selection data from service providers, verifies the choices against current policy options and traveler eligibility criteria, and returns verification results along with recommendations for optimal products. This closed-loop feedback ensures both flexibility in product selection and reliability through insurer verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the service provider's product selection logic with the insurer's verification and optimization capabilities. By combining these previously separate functions into an integrated workflow, the system achieves both the flexibility of provider-driven product selection and the reliability of insurer verification and optimal product recommendation.
3Ease of operation
If travel insurers provide quotes only after service providers determine product appropriateness, then service provider autonomy is maintained, but the insurer cannot provide up-to-date optimal policy options
Solution Approach 1:
The travel insurer's system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing traveler itinerary data to identify eligible policy options and their current status (availability, pricing, optimal suitability) before the service provider presents products to consumers. This preliminary verification and optimization enables the insurer to provide up-to-date policy options while maintaining provider autonomy in the final selection process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for processing communications between travel service providers and travel insurers where travel service providers use different messaging formats. A travel service provider transmits itinerary data to a travel insurer in one messaging format. The travel insurer may then convert the itinerary data into a format compatible with the travel insurer's system and determine an optimal policy choice based on the itinerary data. The travel insurer may then transmit this choice to the travel service provider in the travel service provider's preferred messaging format, and the travel service provider offers the product to the consumer through the travel service provider's interface.