Using a Distributed Ledger for the Auto Claims Process

1 . A computer-implemented method for reporting and tracking events related to an automotive claims process on a blockchain reported and tracked by a plurality of participants in the blockchain network, the method comprising:

receiving, at a processor from a first participant, a transaction including a vehicle loss report, wherein the first participant is a sensor system of a vehicle associated with the vehicle loss report having a cryptographic key pair associated therewith, wherein the vehicle loss report includes an indication of odometer data;

verifying, at the processor, a cryptographic key of the cryptographic key pair applied to the transaction by the sensor system of the vehicle;

storing, at a memory coupled with the processor, the vehicle loss report on the blockchain;

accessing the memory coupled with the processor to compare the odometer data with a usage-based insurance policy associated with the vehicle;

determining, at the processor, that the odometer data is within a mileage limit associated with the usage-based insurance policy;

based upon the determination, generating, at the processor, a coverage amount based upon the vehicle loss report;

generating, at the processor, an order based upon the notification, wherein the order includes a repair assignment and a replacement vehicle request;

storing, at the memory, the repair assignment on the blockchain;

transmitting, at the processor, the order to at least a second participant;

receiving, at the processor, a repair estimate from the second participant; and

transmitting, at the processor, the repair estimate and the coverage amount to the first participant.

2 . (canceled)

3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the second participant is a repair facility.

4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, at the processor, a repair approval from a third participant, wherein the third participant is the vehicle owner;

transmitting, at the processor, the repair approval to the second participant; and

storing, at the memory, the repair approval on the blockchain.

5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transmitting, at the processor, the order to a fourth participant, wherein the fourth participant is a rental provider;

receiving, at the processor, a rental bill from the fourth participant; and

storing, at the memory, the rental bill on the blockchain.

6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

wherein prior to receiving the repair estimate, receiving, at the processor, a parts delivery notification from a fifth participant, wherein the fifth participant is a parts supplier; and

storing, at the memory, the parts delivery notification on the blockchain.

7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

wherein prior to receiving the repair approval, receiving, at the processor, a parts delivery confirmation from a sixth participant, wherein the sixth participant is a logistics provider; and

storing, at the memory, the parts delivery confirmation on the blockchain.

8 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, at the processor, a final repair bill from the second participant; and

storing, at the memory, the final repair bill on the blockchain.

9 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further includes:

wherein if items are stored on the blockchain, updating, at the memory, a copy of the blockchain stored at the memory; and

transmitting, via the network interface, the updated copy of the blockchain to at least one other participant.

10 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1

receiving, at the processor, a repair rejection from a third participant, wherein the third participant is the vehicle owner;

transmitting, at the processor, the repair rejection to the second participant; and

storing, at the memory, the repair rejection on the blockchain.

11 . A computer-implemented method for reporting and tracking events related to an automotive claims process on a blockchain reported and tracked by a plurality of participants in the blockchain network, the method comprising:

receiving, at a processor and from a first participant, a transaction including a vehicle loss report for a vehicle, wherein the first participant is a sensor system of a vehicle associated with the vehicle loss report having a cryptographic key pair associated therewith wherein the vehicle loss report includes an indication of odometer data;

verifying, at the processor, a cryptographic key of the cryptographic key pair applied to the transaction by the sensor system of the vehicle

accessing a blockchain record corresponding to the vehicle to compare the odometer data with a usage-based insurance policy associated with the vehicle;

determining, at the processor, that the odometer data is within a mileage limit associated with the usage-based insurance policy;

based upon the determination, generating, at the processor, a coverage amount and an order based upon the vehicle loss report;

adding, at the processor, the coverage amount and the order to the transaction;

adding, at the processor, the transaction to a block of transactions;

generating, at the processor, a cryptographic hash based upon the block of transactions;

adding, at the processor, the cryptographic hash in the block of transactions; and

transmitting, at the processor, the block of transactions to a second participant.

12 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the second participant is a repair facility.

13 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 further comprising:

receiving, at the processor, a repair approval from a third participant, wherein the third participant is the vehicle owner;

transmitting, at the processor, the repair approval to the second participant; and

storing, at the blockchain record, the repair approval on the blockchain.

14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , further comprising:

receiving, at the processor, a second transaction from at least one other participant in the blockchain network;

validating, at the processor, the second transaction by checking a public-private key pair for the at least one other participant;

when the second transaction is valid, storing, at the blockchain record, the second transaction to a copy of the blockchain, and transmitting, at the processor, the second transaction to at least one other participant in the blockchain network; and

when the second transaction is not valid, not storing the transaction, and not transmitting the second transaction.

15 . A system for reporting and tracking events related to an automotive claims process on a blockchain reported and tracked by a plurality of participants in the blockchain network, the system comprising:

a network interface configured to interface with a processor;

a memory configured to store non-transitory computer executable instructions and configured to interface with the processor; and

the processor configured to interface with the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the processor to:

receive, from a first participant, a transaction including a vehicle loss report, wherein the first participant is a sensor system of a vehicle associated with the vehicle loss report having a cryptographic key pair associated therewith, wherein the vehicle loss report includes an indication of odometer data;

verify a cryptographic key of the cryptographic key pair applied to the transaction by the sensor system of the vehicle;

store the vehicle loss report on the blockchain;

generate a coverage amount based upon the vehicle loss report;

access a blockchain record corresponding to the vehicle to compare the odometer data with a usage-based insurance policy associated with the vehicle;

determine that the odometer data is within a mileage limit associated with the usage-based insurance policy;

based upon the determination, generate an order based upon the vehicle loss report, wherein the order includes a repair assignment and a replacement vehicle request;

store the repair assignment and the replacement vehicle request on the blockchain;

transmit the order to a second participant;

receive a repair estimate from the second participant; and

transmit the repair estimate and the coverage amount to the first participant.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the second participant is a repair facility.

17 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising:

receive a repair approval from a third participant, wherein the third participant is the vehicle owner;

transmit the repair approval to the second participant; and

store the repair approval on the blockchain.

18 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising:

transmit the order to a fourth participant, wherein the fourth participant is a rental provider;

receive a rental bill from the fourth participant; and

store the rental bill on the blockchain.

19 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising:

receive a repair rejection from a third participant, wherein the third participant is the vehicle owner;

transmit the repair rejection to the second participant; and

store the repair rejection on the blockchain.

20 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising:

receive a block of transactions;

validate the block of transactions; and

store the block of transactions on the blockchain.