System and method for processing work products for vehicles via the world wide web

Abstract

A method and system for receiving data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmitting a valuation report for the damaged vehicle over the world wide web. The system includes a client computer and a web server that are coupled through an electronic communication network such as the internet. The web server contains a web site that contains a plurality of web pages. Each web page allows an operator to enter the insurance claim data. The data can be processed into a valuation report by a separate valuation server. The valuation report can be transmitted to the client computer through the web server. A claims adjuster can access the web server by merely entering a uniform resource locator (“URL”) into a web browser. The adjuster does not have to dial directly into the valuation server.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for obtaining an automobile insurance claim valuation report, comprising:
 transmitting a uniform resource locator over an electronic communication network from a client computer;   connecting with a web site that corresponds to the uniform resource locator, the web site provides a plurality of web pages that allow an operator to input data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle;   entering data relating to the insurance claim;   processing the entered data to generate a valuation report for the damaged vehicle; and,   transmitting the valuation report to the client computer over the electronic communication network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data is processed with an original equipment guide database. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the web pages allow for input of aftermarket equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the web pages allow for input of a vehicle option. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the web pages allow for input of a vehicle condition. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the web pages allow for input of a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the valuation report is transmitted to a plurality of client computers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the valuation report from a valuation server to a web server before transmitting the valuation report to the client computer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the valuation report is transmitted in a TCP/IP format. 
     
     
         10 . A system for obtaining an automobile insurance claim valuation report, comprising:
 an electronic communication network;   a web server that is coupled to said electronic communication network, said web server provides access to a web site that has a plurality of web pages which allow for receipt of data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle; and,   a client computer coupled to said electronic communication network, said client computer can allow for the input of data into said web pages, and receive the valuation report.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a valuation server coupled to said web server through said electronic communication network, said processing server processes the data and generates the valuation report. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said valuation server contains an original equipment guide database that processes the data for the valuation report. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said valuation server web pages allow for input of aftermarket equipment. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said valuation server web pages allow for input of a vehicle option. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said valuation server web pages allow for input of a vehicle condition. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said valuation server web pages allow for input of a vehicle identification number that is included with the valuation report. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the valuation report is transmitted in a TCP/IP format. 
     
     
         18 . A server for receiving data relating to insurance claims for a damaged vehicle and for causing transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle, comprising:
 a memory device;   a communication port; and,   a processor that is coupled to said memory device, and said communication port, said processor operates in accordance with instructions to provide access to a web site that has a plurality of web pages, the web pages allow for receipt of data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The server of  claim 18 , wherein said web pages allow for input of aftermarket equipment. 
     
     
         20 . The server of  claim 18 , wherein said web pages allow for input of a vehicle option. 
     
     
         21 . The server of  claim 18 , wherein said web pages allow for input of a vehicle condition. 
     
     
         22 . The server of  claim 18 , wherein said web pages allow for input of a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report. 
     
     
         23 . The server of  claim 18 , wherein the valuation report is transmitted in a TCP/IP format. 
     
     
         24 . A computer program storage medium that can cause a computer to receive data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle, comprising:
 a computer readable storage medium that contains a computer program which causes a server to provide access to a web site that has a plurality of web pages, the web pages allow for receipt of data relating to an insurance claim for a damaged vehicle and transmission of a valuation report for the damaged vehicle.   
     
     
         25 . The storage medium of  claim 24 , wherein said web pages allow for input of aftermarket equipment. 
     
     
         26 . The storage medium of  claim 24 , wherein said web pages allow for input of a vehicle option. 
     
     
         27 . The storage medium of  claim 24 , wherein said web pages allow for input of a vehicle condition. 
     
     
         28 . The storage medium of  claim 24 , wherein said web pages allow for input of a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report. 
     
     
         29 . The storage medium of  claim 24 , wherein the valuation report is transmitted in a TCP/IP format.