Account Based Device Protection Coverage
Methods and means for device account based protection coverage are provided which allow for account holders to share a protection plan across a shared account, thereby covering a plurality of individual devices and discreet devices. Program users are able to manage their device protection in a manner more consistent with the way they use their device and services. Users are also able to purchase rate-tailored protection plans for all (or some) of the plurality of devices tied to the account, thereby facilitating cost-sharing of service fees with other members associated with the account. Account members can also share claims benefits across the protected group.
1 . A method for providing account based device protection, said method comprising:
bundling a plurality of discrete accounts associated with a plurality of individual devices; and
protecting against loss factors associated with said bundled accounts across a bundled account-based device protection program.
2 . The method for providing account based device protection of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
automatically adding protection for new devices added to the bundled protection program.
3 . The method for providing account based device protection of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
automatically removing protection for devices disconnected from the bundled protection program.
4 . The method for providing account based device protection of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
sharing claims across the bundled protection program account.
5 . The method for providing account based device protection of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
sharing claim benefits across the bundled protection program.
6 . The method for providing account based device protection of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
establishing an Internet web portal for bundled protection account management.
7 . The method for providing account based device protection of claim 6 , wherein said establishing an Internet web portal for bundled protection account management further comprises:
providing a plurality of account level reporting tools.
8 . The method for providing account based device protection of claim 6 , wherein said establishing an Internet web portal for bundled protection account management further comprises:
providing tools for tracking claims and benefits across a bundled protection program account.
9 . The method for providing account based device protection of claim 8 , wherein said providing tools for tracking claims and benefits across a bundled protection program further comprises:
providing a plurality of account level reporting tools.
10 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 6 , wherein said establishing an Internet web portal for bundled protection account management further comprises:
validating protected devices covered by the bundled protection program account.
11 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 6 , wherein said establishing an Internet web portal for bundled protection account management further comprises:
providing product and protection services information.
12 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
adding a line of service to a bundled protection account at the time said line is first acquired.
13 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
adding a line of service to a bundled protection program during a predetermined time period window following the date on which a line is first acquired.
14 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
removing a line of service to a bundled protection program during a predetermined time period window following the date on which a line is first acquired.
15 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
issuing a single bill to a primary account holder of the bundled protection program.
16 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 15 , wherein said issuing a single bill to a primary account holder of the bundled protection program further comprises:
billing on a single premium coverage basis.
17 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 15 , wherein said issuing a single bill to a primary account holder of the bundled protection program further comprises:
billing on an added line coverage basis.
18 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 15 , wherein said issuing a single bill to a primary account holder of the bundled protection program further comprises:
billing on a banded pricing basis.
19 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 15 , wherein said issuing a single bill to a primary account holder of the bundled protection program further comprises:
discounting a total of all premiums at the bottom of a bill after the initial application of a predetermined rate.
20 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 15 , wherein said issuing a single bill to a primary account holder of the bundled protection program further comprises:
applying a discount at a predetermined rate based on a total number of devices protected under the program, thereby resulting in a greater discount as a function of the number of devices protected.
21 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
evaluating a claims request and authorizing issuance of a replacement device after determining whether one or more of a plurality of predetermined replacement criteria has been satisfied.
22 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 21 , wherein said authorizing issuance of a replacement device after determining whether one or more of a plurality of predetermined replacement criteria has been satisfied further comprises:
authorizing issuance of a replacement device via direct delivery to a customer.
23 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 22 , wherein said authorizing issuance of a replacement device after determining whether one or more of a plurality of predetermined replacement criteria has been satisfied further comprises:
authorizing issuance of a replacement device via direct delivery on an expedited basis after determining whether one or more of a plurality of predetermined priority customer criteria has been satisfied.
24 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 21 , wherein said authorizing issuance of a replacement device after determining whether one or more of a plurality of predetermined replacement criteria has been satisfied further comprises:
authorizing issuance of a replacement device via pickup at an authorized retail dealer.
25 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
extending a service provider contract commitment for any line of service in the bundled protection account.
26 . The method for providing account based device protection coverage of claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises:
replacing any device on any line of service in the bundled protection account.