System and method for insurance underwriting and rating

Abstract

An apparatus and method for underwriting and/or rating an insurance policy, and for generating information for underwriting and/or rating an insurance policy, are provided. The system and method may include identifying a vehicle, determining a value of at least one vehicle history data variable or a group of variables, and underwriting and/or rating the policy based on the value of the at least one vehicle history data variable or a group of variables. The system and method may also include generating a score based on the value of the at least one vehicle history data variable or group of variables.

1 . A method of underwriting an insurance policy comprising:
 identifying a vehicle;   forming at least one data grouping including at least one vehicle history data variable of the identified vehicle;   processing the at least one vehicle history data variable of the at least one data grouping;   determining an overall value of said at least one data grouping; and   underwriting an insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of the at least one data grouping.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 rating the insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of said at least one data grouping.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one data grouping includes a plurality of data groupings, said method further comprising generating a score based upon an overall value of each of the plurality of data groupings and rating the policy based on the score. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said score is calculated based on a weighted combination of overall values of said plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said score is the sum of weighted overall values of each of said plurality of data groupings represented as a mathematical equation. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining an overall value is based on whether a vehicle possesses or does not possess a characteristic of at least some of said at least one vehicle history data variable. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one data grouping includes a plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein vehicle history data variables formed within a data grouping are similar. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the similarity of the plurality of vehicle history data variables within a data grouping includes being similar in at least one of type and loss ratio value. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one data grouping includes at least one of:
 a Severe Problem data grouping;   a Potential Damage data grouping;   a Ownership History data grouping;   a Ownership Type data grouping;   a Annual Mileage data grouping; and   a Potential Fraud data grouping.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the overall value is indicative of the likelihood of incurring future vehicle repair costs. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 generating a score based upon the overall value of each of the plurality of data groupings; and   wherein said underwriting step comprises underwriting an insurance policy for the selected vehicle based on the score.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the score is characterized as at least one of a number, mark, symbol, and color. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said score is calculated based on a weighted combination of overall values of said plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said score is the sum of weighted overall values of each of said plurality of data groupings represented as a mathematical equation. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle history data variables include at least one of:
 Air Bag Deployed;   Abandoned;   Canadian Total Loss;   Commercial Vehicle;   Corporate Fleet   Crash Test Vehicle;   Curbstoning Advisory;   Damage Disclosure;   Dismantled;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Emissions Test;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Exceeds Mechanical Limits;   Exported Vehicle;   Flood Advisory;   Flood Damaged;   Fire;   Fire Damage;   Frame Inspection;   Grey Market Vehicle;   Gross Polluter;   Hail Damaged;   Inconsistent Odometer Reading;   Imported Vehicle;   Junk;   Last Owner—First Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—First Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 12 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 24 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 36 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner Length of Ownership;   Last Owner Lien Reported;   Lease Vehicle;   Manufacturer Buyback (Lemon);   Not Actual Mileage;   Number of Owners;   Number of Owners Footnote;   Odometer Problem Flag;   Odometer Rollover;   Personal;   Police Accident Report;   Police Accident Report—Severe Damage;   Police Vehicle;   Potential Damage Flag;   Potential Odometer Problem;   Rebuilt Title Brand;   Reconstructed Title Brand;   Recycle Vehicle;   Rental Vehicle;   Reported as Stolen;   Repossessed;   Safety Inspection Failed;   Salvaged Auction;   Severe Accident Flag;   Stolen Vehicle Flag;   Reported Stolen;   Theft Recovery;   Insurance Total Loss;   Taxi Vehicle;   Verified Odometer Rollback; and   VIN Cloning Advisory.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said forming step comprises deriving a vehicle history data variable for at least one of:
 Number of Owners;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Flood Advisory;   Gray Market Vehicle   Last Owner—Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Length of Ownership;   Potential Damage Flag;   Severe Accident Flag; and   Insurance Total Loss.   
   
   
       18 . A method of rating an insurance policy comprising:
 identifying a vehicle;   forming at least one data grouping including of least one vehicle history data variable of the identified vehicle;   processing the at least one vehicle history data variable of the at least one data grouping;   determining an overall value of said at least one data grouping; and   rating an insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of the at least one data grouping.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of determining an overall value is based on whether a vehicle possesses or does not possess a characteristic at least some of said at least one vehicle history data variable. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one data grouping includes a plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein vehicle history data variables formed within a data grouping are similar. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the similarity of vehicle history data variables within a data grouping includes being similar in at least one of type and loss ratio value. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one data grouping includes one of:
 a Severe Problem data grouping;   a Potential Damage data grouping;   a Ownership History data grouping;   a Ownership Type data grouping;   a Annual Mileage data grouping; and   a Potential Fraud data grouping.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the overall value is indicative of the likelihood of incurring future vehicle repair costs. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 generating a score based upon an overall value of each of the plurality of the data groupings; and   wherein said rating step comprises rating the policy based on the score.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the score is characterized as one of a number, mark, symbol, and color. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said score is calculated based on a weighted combination of overall values of said plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said score is the sum of weighted overall values of each of said plurality of data groupings represented as a mathematical equation. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the vehicle history data variables include at least one of:
 Air Bag Deployed;   Abandoned;   Canadian Total Loss;   Commercial Vehicle;   Corporate Fleet   Crash Test Vehicle;   Curbstoning Advisory;   Damage Disclosure;   Dismantled;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Emissions Test;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Exceeds Mechanical Limits;   Exported Vehicle;   Flood Advisory;   Flood Damaged;   Fire;   Fire Damage;   Frame Inspection;   Grey Market Vehicle;   Gross Polluter;   Hail Damaged;   Inconsistent Odometer Reading;   Imported Vehicle;   Junk;   Last Owner—First Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—First Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 12 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 24 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 36 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner Length of Ownership;   Last Owner Lien Reported;   Lease Vehicle;   Manufacturer Buyback (Lemon);   Not Actual Mileage;   Number of Owners;   Number of Owners Footnote;   Odometer Problem Flag;   Odometer Rollover;   Personal;   Police Accident Report;   Police Accident Report—Severe Damage;   Police Vehicle;   Potential Damage Flag;   Potential Odometer Problem;   Rebuilt Title Brand;   Reconstructed Title Brand;   Recycle Vehicle;   Rental Vehicle;   Reported as Stolen;   Repossessed;   Safety Inspection Failed;   Salvaged Auction;   Severe Accident Flag;   Stolen Vehicle Flag;   Reported Stolen;   Theft Recovery;   Insurance Total Loss;   Taxi Vehicle;   Verified Odometer Rollback; and   VIN Cloning Advisory.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said forming step comprises deriving a vehicle history data variable for at least one of:
 Number of Owners;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Flood Advisory;   Gray Market Vehicle   Last Owner Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Length of Ownership;   Potential Damage Flag;   Severe Accident Flag; and   Insurance Total Loss.   
   
   
       31 . A method of determining insurability of a vehicle comprising:
 identifying a vehicle;   forming at least one data grouping including at least one vehicle history data variable of the identified vehicle;   processing the at least one vehicle history data variable of the at least one data grouping;   determining an overall value of said at least one data grouping; and   calculating insurability of the identified vehicle based on said overall value of the at least one data grouping.   
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said calculating step comprises rating an insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of said at least one data grouping. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said calculating step comprises underwriting an insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of said at least one data grouping. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one data grouping includes a plurality of data groupings, said method further comprising generating a score based upon an overall value of each of the plurality of data groupings and calculating insurability of the identified vehicle based on the score. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said score is calculated based on a weighted combination of overall values of said plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said score is the sum of weighted overall values of each of said plurality of data groupings represented as a mathematical equation. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of determining an overall value is based on whether a vehicle possesses or does not possess a characteristic of at least some of said at least one vehicle history data variable. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one data grouping includes a plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein vehicle history data variables formed within a data grouping are similar. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the similarity of the plurality of vehicle history data variables within a data grouping includes being similar in at least one of type and loss ratio value. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the at least one data grouping includes at least one of:
 a Severe Problem data grouping;   a Potential Damage data grouping;   a Ownership History data grouping;   a Ownership Type data grouping;   a Annual Mileage data grouping; and   a Potential Fraud data grouping.   
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the overall value is indicative of the likelihood of incurring future vehicle repair costs. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the score is characterized as at least one of one of a number, mark, symbol, and color. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said score is calculated based on a weighted combination of overall values of said plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said score is the sum of weighted overall values of each of said plurality of data groupings represented as a mathematical equation. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the vehicle history data variables include at least one of:
 Air Bag Deployed;   Abandoned;   Canadian Total Loss;   Commercial Vehicle;   Corporate Fleet   Crash Test Vehicle;   Curbstoning Advisory;   Damage Disclosure;   Dismantled;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Emissions Test;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Exceeds Mechanical Limits;   Exported Vehicle;   Flood Advisory;   Flood Damaged;   Fire;   Fire Damage;   Frame Inspection;   Grey Market Vehicle;   Gross Polluter;   Hail Damaged;   Inconsistent Odometer Reading;   Imported Vehicle;   Junk;   Last Owner—First Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—First Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 12 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 24 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 36 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner Length of Ownership;   Last Owner Lien Reported;   Lease Vehicle;   Manufacturer Buyback (Lemon);   Not Actual Mileage;   Number of Owners;   Number of Owners Footnote;   Odometer Problem Flag;   Odometer Rollover;   Personal;   Police Accident Report;   Police Accident Report—Severe Damage;   Police Vehicle;   Potential Damage Flag;   Potential Odometer Problem;   Rebuilt Title Brand;   Reconstructed Title Brand;   Recycle Vehicle;   Rental Vehicle;   Reported as Stolen;   Repossessed;   Safety Inspection Failed;   Salvaged Auction;   Severe Accident Flag;   Stolen Vehicle Flag;   Reported Stolen;   Theft Recovery;   Insurance Total Loss;   Taxi Vehicle;   Verified Odometer Rollback; and   VIN Cloning Advisory.   
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said forming step comprises deriving a vehicle history data variable for at least one of:
 Number of Owners;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Flood Advisory;   Gray Market Vehicle   Last Owner—Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Length of Ownership;   Potential Damage Flag;   Severe Accident Flag; and   Insurance Total Loss.   
   
   
       48 . An apparatus for underwriting an insurance policy comprising:
 means for identifying a vehicle;   means for forming at least one data grouping including at least one vehicle history data variable of the identified vehicle;   means for processing the at least one vehicle history data variable of the at least one data grouping;   means for determining an overall value of said at least one data grouping; and   means for underwriting an insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of the at least one data grouping.   
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 means for rating the insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of said at least one data grouping.   
   
   
       50 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein said at least one data grouping includes a plurality of data groupings, said apparatus further comprising means for generating a score based upon an overall value of each of the plurality of data groupings and rating the policy based on the score. 
   
   
       51 . The apparatus of  claim 50 , wherein said score is calculated based on a weighted combination of overall values of said plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       52 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein said score is the sum of weighted overall values of each of said plurality of data groupings represented as a mathematical equation. 
   
   
       53 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the means for determining an overall value determines the overall value based on whether a vehicle possesses or does not possess a characteristic of at least some of said at least one vehicle history data variable. 
   
   
       54 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said at least one data grouping includes a plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       55 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein vehicle history data variables formed within a data grouping are similar. 
   
   
       56 . The apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein the similarity of the plurality of vehicle history data variables within a data grouping includes being similar in at least one of type and loss ratio value. 
   
   
       57 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the at least one data grouping includes at least one of:
 a Severe Problem data grouping;   a Potential Damage data grouping;   a Ownership History data grouping;   a Ownership Type data grouping;   a Annual Mileage data grouping; and   a Potential Fraud data grouping.   
   
   
       58 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the overall value is indicative of the likelihood of incurring future vehicle repair costs. 
   
   
       59 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , further comprising:
 means for generating a score based upon the overall value of each of the plurality of data groupings; and   means for wherein said means for underwriting comprises means for underwriting an insurance policy for the selected vehicle based on the score.   
   
   
       60 . The apparatus of  claim 59 , wherein the score is characterized as at least one of a number, mark, symbol, and color. 
   
   
       61 . The apparatus of  claim 59 , wherein said score is calculated based on a weighted combination of overall values of said plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       62 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein said score is the sum of weighted overall values of each of said plurality of data groupings represented as a mathematical equation. 
   
   
       63 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the vehicle history data variables include at least one of:
 Air Bag Deployed;   Abandoned;   Canadian Total Loss;   Commercial Vehicle;   Corporate Fleet   Crash Test Vehicle;   Curbstoning Advisory;   Damage Disclosure;   Dismantled;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Emissions Test;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Exceeds Mechanical Limits;   Exported Vehicle;   Flood Advisory;   Flood Damaged;   Fire;   Fire Damage;   Frame Inspection;   Grey Market Vehicle;   Gross Polluter;   Hail Damaged;   Inconsistent Odometer Reading;   Imported Vehicle;   Junk;   Last Owner—First Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—First Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 12 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 24 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 36 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner Length of Ownership;   Last Owner Lien Reported;   Lease Vehicle;   Manufacturer Buyback (Lemon);   Not Actual Mileage;   Number of Owners;   Number of Owners Footnote;   Odometer Problem Flag;   Odometer Rollover;   Personal;   Police Accident Report;   Police Accident Report Severe Damage;   Police Vehicle;   Potential Damage Flag;   Potential Odometer Problem;   Rebuilt Title Brand;   Reconstructed Title Brand;   Recycle Vehicle;   Rental Vehicle;   Reported as Stolen;   Repossessed;   Safety Inspection Failed;   Salvaged Auction;   Severe Accident Flag;   Stolen Vehicle Flag;   Reported Stolen;   Theft Recovery;   Insurance Total Loss;   Taxi Vehicle;   Verified Odometer Rollback; and   VIN Cloning Advisory.   
   
   
       64 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said means for forming comprises means for deriving a vehicle history data variable for at least one of:
 Number of Owners;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Flood Advisory;   Gray Market Vehicle   Last Owner—Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Length of Ownership;   Potential Damage Flag;   Severe Accident Flag; and   Insurance Total Loss.   
   
   
       65 . An apparatus for rating an insurance policy comprising:
 means for identifying a vehicle;   means for forming at least one data grouping including of least one vehicle history data variable of the identified vehicle;   means for processing the at least one vehicle history data variable of the at least one data grouping;   means for determining an overall value of said at least one data grouping; and   means for rating an insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of the at least one data grouping.   
   
   
       66 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the means for determining an overall value determines the overall value based on whether a vehicle possesses or does not possess a characteristic at least some of said at least one vehicle history data variable. 
   
   
       67 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein said at least one data grouping includes a plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       68 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein vehicle history data variables formed within a data grouping are similar. 
   
   
       69 . The apparatus of  claim 68 , wherein the similarity of vehicle history data variables within a data grouping includes being similar in at least one of type and loss ratio value. 
   
   
       70 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the at least one data grouping includes one of:
 a Severe Problem data grouping;   a Potential Damage data grouping;   a Ownership History data grouping;   a Ownership Type data grouping;   a Annual Mileage data grouping; and   a Potential Fraud data grouping.   
   
   
       71 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the overall value is indicative of the likelihood of incurring future vehicle repair costs. 
   
   
       72 . The apparatus of  claim 71 , further comprising:
 means for generating a score based upon an overall value of each of the plurality of the data groupings; and   wherein said means for rating comprises rating the policy based on the score.   
   
   
       73 . The apparatus of  claim 72 , wherein the score is characterized as one of a number, mark, symbol, and color. 
   
   
       74 . The apparatus of  claim 72 , wherein said score is calculated based on a weighted combination of overall values of said plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       75 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein said score is the sum of weighted overall values of each of said plurality of data groupings represented as a mathematical equation. 
   
   
       76 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the vehicle history data variables include at least one of:
 Air Bag Deployed;   Abandoned;   Canadian Total Loss;   Commercial Vehicle;   Corporate Fleet   Crash Test Vehicle;   Curbstoning Advisory;   Damage Disclosure;   Dismantled;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Emissions Test;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Exceeds Mechanical Limits;   Exported Vehicle;   Flood Advisory;   Flood Damaged;   Fire;   Fire Damage;   Frame Inspection;   Grey Market Vehicle;   Gross Polluter;   Hail Damaged;   Inconsistent Odometer Reading;   Imported Vehicle;   Junk;   Last Owner First Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—First Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 12 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 24 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 36 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner Length of Ownership;   Last Owner Lien Reported;   Lease Vehicle;   Manufacturer Buyback (Lemon);   Not Actual Mileage;   Number of Owners;   Number of Owners Footnote;   Odometer Problem Flag;   Odometer Rollover;   Personal;   Police Accident Report;   Police Accident Report—Severe Damage;   Police Vehicle;   Potential Damage Flag;   Potential Odometer Problem;   Rebuilt Title Brand;   Reconstructed Title Brand;   Recycle Vehicle;   Rental Vehicle;   Reported as Stolen;   Repossessed;   Safety Inspection Failed;   Salvaged Auction;   Severe Accident Flag;   Stolen Vehicle Flag;   Reported Stolen;   Theft Recovery;   Insurance Total Loss;   Taxi Vehicle;   Verified Odometer Rollback; and   VIN Cloning Advisory.   
   
   
       77 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein said means for forming comprises means for deriving a vehicle history data variable for at least one of:
 Number of Owners;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Flood Advisory;   Gray Market Vehicle   Last Owner—Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Length of Ownership;   Potential Damage Flag;   Severe Accident Flag; and   Insurance Total Loss.   
   
   
       78 . An apparatus for determining insurability of a vehicle comprising:
 means for identifying a vehicle;   means for forming at least one data grouping including at least one vehicle history data variable of the identified vehicle;   means for processing the at least one vehicle history data variable of the at least one data grouping;   means for determining an overall value of said at least one data grouping; and   means for calculating insurability of the identified vehicle based on said overall value of the at least one data grouping.   
   
   
       79 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein said means for calculating comprises means for rating an insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of said at least one data grouping. 
   
   
       80 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein said means for calculating comprises means for underwriting an insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of said at least one data grouping. 
   
   
       81 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein said at least one data grouping includes a plurality of data groupings, said apparatus further comprising means for generating a score based upon an overall value of each of the plurality of data groupings and calculating insurability of the identified vehicle based on the score. 
   
   
       82 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , wherein said score is calculated based on a weighted combination of overall values of said plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       83 . The apparatus of  claim 82 , wherein said score is the sum of weighted overall values of each of said plurality of data groupings represented as a mathematical equation. 
   
   
       84 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the means for determining an overall value comprises means for determining an overall value based on whether a vehicle possesses or does not possess a characteristic of at least some of said at least one vehicle history data variable. 
   
   
       85 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein said at least one data grouping includes a plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       86 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein vehicle history data variables formed within a data grouping are similar. 
   
   
       87 . The apparatus of  claim 86 , wherein the similarity of the plurality of vehicle history data variables within a data grouping includes being similar in at least one of type and loss ratio value. 
   
   
       88 . The apparatus of  claim 78  wherein the at least one data grouping includes at least one of.
 a Severe Problem data grouping;   a Potential Damage data grouping;   a Ownership History data grouping;   a Ownership Type data grouping;   a Annual Mileage data grouping; and   a Potential Fraud data grouping.   
   
   
       89 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the overall value is indicative of the likelihood of incurring future vehicle repair costs. 
   
   
       90 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , wherein the score is characterized as at least one of one of a number, mark, symbol, and color. 
   
   
       91 . The apparatus of  claim 81 , wherein said score is calculated based on a weighted combination of overall values of said plurality of data groupings. 
   
   
       92 . The apparatus of  claim 91 , wherein said score is the sum of weighted overall values of each of said plurality of data groupings represented as a mathematical equation. 
   
   
       93 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the vehicle history data variables include at least one of:
 Air Bag Deployed;   Abandoned;   Canadian Total Loss;   Commercial Vehicle;   Corporate Fleet   Crash Test Vehicle;   Curbstoning Advisory;   Damage Disclosure;   Dismantled;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Emissions Test;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Exceeds Mechanical Limits;   Exported Vehicle;   Flood Advisory;   Flood Damaged;   Fire;   Fire Damage;   Frame Inspection;   Grey Market Vehicle;   Gross Polluter;   Hail Damaged;   Inconsistent Odometer Reading;   Imported Vehicle;   Junk;   Last Owner First Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—First Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading;   Last Owner—Last Odometer Reading Date;   Last Owner—Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 12 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 24 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Last 36 Months Average Annual Mileage;   Last Owner Length of Ownership;   Last Owner Lien Reported;   Lease Vehicle;   Manufacturer Buyback (Lemon);   Not Actual Mileage;   Number of Owners;   Number of Owners Footnote;   Odometer Problem Flag;   Odometer Rollover;   Personal;   Police Accident Report;   Police Accident Report—Severe Damage;   Police Vehicle;   Potential Damage Flag;   Potential Odometer Problem;   Rebuilt Title Brand;   Reconstructed Title Brand;   Recycle Vehicle;   Rental Vehicle;   Reported as Stolen;   Repossessed;   Safety Inspection Failed;   Salvaged Auction;   Severe Accident Flag;   Stolen Vehicle Flag;   Reported Stolen;   Theft Recovery;   Insurance Total Loss;   Taxi Vehicle;   Verified Odometer Rollback; and   VIN Cloning Advisory.   
   
   
       94 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein said means for forming comprises means for deriving a vehicle history data variable for at least one of:
 Number of Owners;   Duplicate Title Issued;   Estimated Current Mileage;   Flood Advisory;   Gray Market Vehicle   Last Owner Annual Mileage;   Last Owner Recent Annual Mileage;   Last Owner—Length of Ownership;   Potential Damage Flag;   Severe Accident Flag; and   insurance Total Loss.   
   
   
       95 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said means for identifying a vehicle, said means for forming at least one data grouping including at least one vehicle history data variable of the identified vehicle, said means for processing the at least one vehicle history data variable of the at least one data grouping, said means for determining an overall value of said at least one data grouping, and said means for underwriting an insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of the at least one data grouping comprises computer readable instructions recorded on computer readable media. 
   
   
       96 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein said means for identifying a vehicle, said means for forming at least one data grouping including at least one vehicle history data variable of the identified vehicle, said means for processing the at least one vehicle history data variable of the at least one data grouping, said means for determining an overall value of said at least one data grouping, and said means for rating an insurance policy for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of the at least one data grouping comprises computer readable instructions recorded on computer readable media. 
   
   
       97 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein said means for identifying a vehicle, said means for forming at least one data grouping including at least one vehicle history data variable of the identified vehicle, said means for processing the at least one vehicle history data variable of the at least one data grouping, said means for determining an overall value of said at least one data grouping, and said means for calculating insurability for the identified vehicle based on said overall value of the at least one data grouping comprises computer readable instructions recorded on computer readable media.