AGENCY SERVICE CENTER
A client-server system (Agency Service Center) for facilitating business-to-business transactions between an insurance carrier and an independent insurance agency is provided. The system obviates the need for client configuration and is comprised of a web-based interface that provides for self-service online access to a server-side object repository storing insurance policy information. Simultaneous access to a common object repository storing policy information enables a server machine to mirror access granted to a client machine such that users at both computer workstations/terminals are provided an identical view of the accessed data. Also provided are customized commission schedules are generated for a client insurance agency. Also provided is an automated visit process to pending claims and insurance policies upon which activity is required; an insurance carrier sends a message through the Agency Service Center to prompt an agent at an insurance agency to perform the necessary actions on an indicated policy or claim.
1 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access to a repository storing insurance policy and policyholder information; said system comprising:
means for rendering a web-based interface at an agent terminal, said web-based interface used to access and modify insurance policy related information stored in said repository;
means for submitting, rating, and tracking a new request for coverage;
means for generating a report based on tracked activity, said reports comprising any of, or a combination of: a policy transaction report, a claims transaction report, or a accounting and collections information report;
means for storing said generated reports in said repository; and
means for notifying an agent and reminding said agent to access said web-based interface for said generated reports.
2 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1 , wherein said policy transactions report identifies policy issuance, endorsement, cancellation, reinstatement, and final audit activity occurring on a daily basis as well as new messages posted for the agency.
3 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1 , wherein said claims transactions report identifies accounts which require loss runs to be prepared for a variety of reasons as well as recently closed claims.
4 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1 , wherein said accounting and collections information report is sent whenever a new commission statement or agency statement has been processed or when a final notice of unpaid audit is sent to the policyholder.
5 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1 , wherein said notification is via an electronic tickle message.
6 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1 , wherein said notification is a facsimilie notification.
7 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1 , wherein said access is comprised of: searching and sorting issued policies.
8 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 7 , wherein said issued policies are search by either of: inception or expiration date range.
9 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 7 , wherein said issued policies are sorted by any of: name of insured member, policy number, and expiration date.
10 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1 , wherein said reports further comprises: agency usage of said interface, agent monthly visitations, policy transactions, claims transactions, and commissions schedules.
11 . A system of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 1 , wherien said system further comprises means for impersonating an agent to provide one-on-one instructions in support training.
12 . A system for dynamically coordinating and facilitating insurance-related policy functions, said system comprising:
agent access to any of: insurance policy, policyholder account, and claim activity information;
new and renewed insurance policy account submissions claim activity analysis and insurance policy transactions;
a means of monitoring said agent access; said monitoring based on agent privileges and said agent access permitted by said agent privileges; and
a direct communication of any of: pending and overdue insurance policy calculations based on said agent access.
13 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access to a repository of insurance policy and policyholder information; said method comprising:
connecting over a communications link to an agent computer workstation/terminal to a server storing said repository;
performing insurance-related functions comprising accessing, modifying, and analyzing information stored in said repository at said agent computer workstation/terminal and submitting new insurance applicant information;
analyzing either of: policy or claim transactions, based on said insurance-related activities performed;
sending, over said communication link, said analysis of either of said policy or claim transactions; and
dynamically modifying messages to be sent over said communications link; said message comprising a lists of future insurance-related functions to be performed by said agent.
14 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access to a repository storing insurance policy and policyholder information; said method comprising:
rendering a web-based interface at an agent terminal, said web-based interface used to access and submit, rate, track, and modify insurance policy related information stored in said repository;
generating a report based on tracked activity, said reports comprising any of, or a combination of: a policy transaction report, a claims transaction report, or a accounting and collections information report;
storing said generated reports in said repository; and
notifying an agent and reminding said agent to access said web-based interface for said generated reports.
15 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14 , wherein said policy transactions report identifies policy issuance, endorsement, cancellation, reinstatement, and final audit activity occurring on a daily basis as well as new messages posted for the agency.
16 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14 , wherein said claims transactions report identifies accounts which require loss runs to be prepared for a variety of reasons as well as recently closed claims.
17 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14 , wherein said accounting and collections information report is sent whenever a new commission statement or agency statement has been processed or when a final notice of unpaid audit is sent to the policyholder.
18 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14 , wherein said notification is via an electronic tickle message.
19 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14 , wherein said notification is a facsimilie notification.
20 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14 , wherein said access is comprised of: searching and sorting issued policies.
21 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 20 , wherein said issued policies are search by either of: inception or expiration date range.
22 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 20 , wherein said issued policies are sorted by any of: name of insured member, policy number, and expiration date.
23 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14 , wherein said reports further comprises: agency usage of said interface, agent monthly visitations, policy transactions, claims transactions, and commissions schedules.
24 . A method of tracking and managing real-time agent access, as per claim 14 , wherien said method further comprises the step of impersonating an agent to provide one-on-one instructions in support training.