US 2006/0190317 A1 · Tow claims system for secondary tow and salvage management

Abstract

A method and system for unified secondary management of tow claims and salvage tow data, and specifically for simplifying the workflow of attending insurers, towers, and a manager (operator of an application service provider). The system is implemented in software form and includes an Insurance Company Module for allowing Clients to initiate tow dispatch orders into the system, a Tow Company Module for allowing towing vendors to view, execute and track tow dispatches assigned to them through the dispatch system, and a Management Module for allowing a third party Manager to manage the system, and to dispatch tow orders, track orders, approve completed orders for payment, and provide Client and Vendor account management, reports and performance tracking. Data extracted from all three modules is stored in a relational database and can readily be accessed by any of the three participants in real time, and may be edited and/or analyzed for reporting.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented workflow system for simplifying the workflow of attending insurers and towing companies in administering to secondary tow and salvage claims, comprising:

an application service provider (ASP) workflow management module comprising a graphical user interface for allowing information entry, manipulation and output for tow and salvage dispatch orders, deployment and tracking, and management reports;
a client/insurer workflow management module comprising a graphical user interface for allowing information entry, manipulation and output for tow and salvage dispatch orders, deployment and tracking;
a vendor/tower workflow management module comprising a graphical user interface for allowing information entry, manipulation and output;
and
a relational database for storing data extracted from ASP, client/insurer, and vendor/tower modules, said data comprising dispatch order information, tow authorization information, tow charges, vehicle information, vehicle location, and tow to location.

2 more elements

A method for managing secondary tow and salvage claims amongst participating clients (insurers), vendors (towers) and a third party manager, each comprising the steps of:

providing each participating client, vendor and manager access to a computerized workflow management system including a dedicated graphical user interfaces for each participant;
receiving a tow assignment at said client, entering assignment data into said client user interface, and storing said assignment data in a database;
triggering a timer for tracking a first time within which vehicle owner consent for said tow assignment must be obtained;
said client determining a payout amount due for any primary tow, storage fees, and other charges and enters the payout amount into said client user interface for associated storage in said database in relation to the assignment data;
said client contacting the vehicle owner directly and obtaining a vehicle release authorization and proof of ownership of the vehicle;
said client entering tow assignment data, details of the tow authorization, and payout amount into said client user interface for storage in said database;
triggering a timer for tracking a second time within which a secondary tow must be completed by an assigned vendor;
electronically transmitting said tow assignment, vehicle release authorization and proof of ownership to a third party manager;
said manager facilitating a secondary tow by the substeps of,
mapping a location of the vehicle,
identifying a proximate subscribing tow vendor,
calculating secondary tow or salvage charges;
obtaining electronic payment for the payout amount from the client;
electronically transmitting the tow assignment to the identified vendor, inclusive of the payout amount;
said vendor executing the secondary tow by the following substeps,
proceeding to the vehicle location,
paying the payout amount to have the vehicle released,
transmitting confirmation to said manager that the payout amount has been paid, together with an itemized list of payout charges,
towing the vehicle,
inputting job completion data into said vendor interface,
transmitting a job completion notification to said manager;
whereby said manager submits electronic payment for the secondary tow to the vendor and sends an electronic invoice for same to the client.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tow claims system for secondary tow and salvage management

Life of this patent

Tow claims system for secondary tow and salvage management

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11