Abstract: A system and method for performing a transaction can allow a user to perform a multi-step process on a single web page. The system can receive an initiate-application command from a user at an application server and, in response, initiate an application for facilitating a transaction. The system can present a parameter-request panel, including a set of parameter-request fields, to the user at a client. The system can receive transaction parameters from the user via the set of parameter-request fields. In response to receiving the transaction parameters, the system can present a transaction-options panel, including a set of transaction options associated with the transaction parameters, to the user without obscuring the parameter-request panel. The system can receive from the user a transaction-option selection associated with the set of transaction options and, in response, present a transaction-completion panel to the user without obscuring the parameter-request panel or the transaction-options panel.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure describe systems and methods for providing a combined insurance and assistance product to an insured. Insurance coverage can be provided to the insured for at least one insured loss event in conjunction with assistance services coverage based upon the at least one insured loss event. A base premium for the combined insurance and assistance product can be calculated based at least in part on a premium for the insurance coverage and a premium for the assistance services coverage. Assistance services can include preventive services directed to helping avoid the occurrence of at least one insured loss event and/or rehabilitative services directed to providing assistance after an occurrence of at least one insured loss event.

Abstract: A storage media and method for transacting cargo insurance business in a network environment includes the on-line automation of quoting, billing, certificate issuance, underwriting, and claims processing. Moreover, the method also includes customer qualification and support services, in addition to data collection and analysis, for management report generation.

Abstract: A system and method for selling insurance products online is described. The system and method allow a provider to sell insurance products to a customer, either directly or through a broker or aggregator, whereby a single GUI is used for all insurance products sold and the customer only has to enter their personal details once when purchasing multiple insurance products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for administering a life insurance policy to provide increased interest based on specifically weighted linkage to multiple equity indices that typically may include Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Price Index, Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50, the Hang Seng Index, and/or derivatives thereof wherein the leading-performing index during a look back period is weighted more heavily than any other index. Also disclosed is a computer system using at least one administration component to implement a series of steps associated with administering an equity indexed-interest universal life insurance policy.

Abstract: A system and method by which an insurance company can make a loss estimate resulting from a loss event use a networked central repository, such as an electronic collaboration site, for collecting and sharing information to be used in the loss projection process. The common repository can be provided on a computer network that is accessible by a plurality of computers. Upon identifying an incident as likely causing a major loss, information concerning the event can be stored in the repository and reviewed to identify entities involved in, or affected by, the event. A database of in-force insurance policies can be searched for policies held by the identified entities. These identified policies can be reviewed to identify those that should be included in the loss estimate. The loss estimate for the event is generated based on the identified in-force policies.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for determining rates of insurance for travelers based on certain risk parameters. Insurance rates are computed using factor relativities derived from insured data and parameters for several different insurance coverages. Factor relativities are computed through an iterative process using a minimum bias procedure according to each coverage. Parameters are evaluated simultaneously for each coverage to eliminate cross bias from one parameter to another. Once factor relativities are calculated, the system and method allows for a consumer to request a rate on an insurance coverage. The system and method provides the rate using the factor relativities for the requested coverage. The method and system also provides insurance rates to additional or upgraded insurance coverages based on consumer preferences.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for the sale of insurance products using a telemarketing system combined with a voice response unit (“VRU”) housed at a licensed agency to efficiently offer, make, and close the sale of insurance products. The direct marketing process includes providing a lead file to an agency, operating a dialer from the agency to call a consumer, obtaining an indication of interest in an insurance product using an unlicensed agent, and passing the consumer to a VRU housed in a licensed agency to offer and close sale using a pre-approved script. Also, the apparatus for direct marketing of insurance products includes an outbound autodialer, a VRU at a licensed agency, telephonic or computer interfaces, and related connection equipment.

Abstract: A web-based application for an insurance carrier that combines national account information and detailed insurance policy information with catastrophe modeling technology. As an event occurs, the modeling technology determines a projected damage area that the event will cause. The insurance carrier can cross-reference that information with its account and policy information. In a short time, the insurance carrier can generate the following catastrophe exposure data: (1) summary reports indicating the projected number of damaged locations for each account; (2) maps and graphs of each account's affected locations that provide a visual image of the epicenter and the concentration of the losses; and (3) tables with detailed property location information. After receiving this data, the insurance carrier can secure the services of independent adjusters and assign other resources according to the scope and magnitude of the projected loss.

Abstract: A system and method by which an insurance company can project an initial net projected loss arising from a major loss event quickly after the occurrence of the event. The system uses a networked central repository, such as an electronic collaboration site, for collecting and sharing information to be used in the initial net loss projection process. After the occurrence of a major incident, media reports can be reviewed to identify entities involved in, or affected by, the event. In-force insurance policies and applicable reinsurance information of the identified entities are collected and stored in the repository and reviewed to identify those that should be included in the initial net loss projection. Additional information can be entered into a policy database regarding those policies which allows aggregation of net policy limits and an initial projection of the net loss arising from the major loss event.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating the exchange of data between one or more price providers and customers who communicate with the price providers through various portals, each of which may use it own data format. In transmitting data from customer to price provider, the data output from each portal is normalized to a standardized format and then transmitted to the appropriate price provider(s) where the data exchanged with the various portals can be viewed by a trader at a single display or can be exchanged with an automated pricing engine. The customer may also be provided with a universal Web site at which a customer may access any of the portals' Web sites to simplify access for the customer as well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for assessing environmental risk associated with a parcel of real property through the form of reports which can be generated without the significant expense and time delay of a physical site inspection. Also disclosed is a method to facilitate contaminated land transactions by reports that provide consultancy, legal, and/or financial advice based on factors determined in the absence of a property site visit. In one aspect, the disclosed method comprises several steps based on certain determinations made using commercially-available and publicly-available databases. In another aspect, the disclosed method is a way of providing financial assurance via an insurance policy with the steps of supplying an environmental risk report and automatically supplying an environmental insurance quote based upon the environmental risk report.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating the exchange of data between one or more price providers and customers who communicate with the price providers through various portals, each of which may use it own data format. In transmitting data from customer to price provider, the data output from each portal is normalized to a standardized format and then transmitted to the appropriate price provider(s) where the data exchanged with the various portals can be viewed by a trader at a single display or can be exchanged with an automated pricing engine. The customer may also be provided with a universal Web site at which a customer may access any of the portals' Web sites to simplify access for the customer as well.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a rate of insurance for management liability coverage which determines a base premium, a limit/retention factor, shared limit credits, and other rating considerations. The limit/retention factor, shared limit credits, and rating considerations are applied to the base premium to ascertain a resultant premium. Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method for determining a shared limit credit when insured clients purchase multiple insurance coverages in a single policy or package of policies and subject to common limit of liability.

Abstract: A method for generating a futures index based on active, rule-based analysis of at least two commodities futures is disclosed. The method can include identifying which commodity futures to include in a set under analysis. A parameter can be selected to measure a signal of future expected risk premium of each commodity future of the set. The signal for each commodity future of the set can be calculated. The set of commodity futures can be ranked relative to each other according to the value of the signal for each commodity future. A predetermined rule can be applied to each commodity future in the set to determine whether a position is taken in each commodity future, the determination depending on its ranking.

Abstract: A system and method for incident reporting uses an application server on a network to facilitate the creation of incident reports and distribution of the reports for review, and controls access to the incident reports to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the reports. Each incident report is given a routing profile, which is tailored such that only proper authorized persons can review and/or edit the report. The progress of incident report review and incident investigation is tracked, and the tracking data are stored for monitoring and auditing purposes. Access to selected reports may be given to users on a temporary basis. The incident reports are archived to enable auditing and generation of reports.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Comprehensive Life Needs Trust Program that provides comprehensive services to a client who is a personal injury victim and can receive periodic payments through a settlement agreement or verdict. Such a trust program provides access to appropriate strategies to manage and protect settlement proceeds and also offers comprehensive life management tools to facilitate the day-to-day needs of the injured. These life management tools include goods and services provided for health, nursing, and handicap needs. Thus, a method of assisting a client is disclosed that includes the steps of setting up a trust program; transferring assets from a settlement to the trust program; managing, by the trust program, a structured payment program for the client; and providing additional services or goods that can include at least one of the following: home health care services or goods, durable products for disabled, prescription drug program services, and/or home maintenance service.

Abstract: A framework for providing structured settlement payment programs allows a claimant of a settlement for a non-physical tort injury to receive periodic future payments for the injury without triggering a current U.S. federal income tax liability on the present value of the future payments. The obligation of the defendant of the tort claim to make future periodic payments is assigned to an unlimited liability entity. The parent company that owns the entity is liable for the future payments if the unlimited liability entity fails to meet the obligation. However, the obligation assigned is an “unsecured promise to pay” and thus should not cause the claimant to be deemed in constructive receipt of the future payments. As a result, the claimant pays income tax on a periodic payment only when the payment has been actually received.

Abstract: A method and system for computer-assisted analyses of best practice safety assessment generates quantitative indicators of safety performance by using a questionnaire with questions in various sections directed to different areas of safety performance evaluation. Scores are given to the questions based on answers entered by an evaluator. The scores for the questions in each section are weighted and summed to provide a section score, and the section scores are weighted and summed to generate an overall score for the assessment. The scores for the individual sections and the overall score can be compared with scores of other clients and the average scores of the industry, and expected losses can be predicted based on the scores.

Abstract: In the present invention, a system and method is described for allocating portfolio assets in an emerging market, where the portfolio initially includes substantially all fixed income securities or substantially all equities. Specifically, a yield spread is periodically determining between a first fixed income instrument and a second fixed income instrument. A mean spread is determined based on the determined yield spread over a selected period of time. A band above and below the mean spread is defined over the selected period of time, where the band has an upper limit above the mean spread and a lower limit below the mean spread. Fixed income securities, in the investment portfolio, are switched for equities when a current determined yield spread exceeds the upper limit of the band. Similarly, equities, in the portfolio, are switched for fixed income securities when the current determined yield spread falls below the lower limit of the band.