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 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method for obtaining a vehicle insurance claim estimate data and a valuation report, comprising:
 receiving at a server system a uniform resource locator from a client computer;   providing by the server system 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 vehicle that is damaged, the web pages include at least one estimate web page and at least one vehicle valuation web page;   receiving at the server system data relating to the insurance claim;   calling application programs at the server system that provide parts lists and calculate estimate data that provides a running total of a cost to repair the vehicle;   processing the entered data by the server system to generate a valuation report for the vehicle, the valuation report provides a market value for the vehicle based on at least a mileage and a condition of the vehicle, said market value being the value of the vehicle before being damaged; and,   transmitting the valuation report to the client computer.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the data is processed with an original equipment guide database. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the data includes aftermarket equipment that is used to generate the valuation report. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the data includes a vehicle option that is used to generate the valuation report. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the application programs are part of a component object model that is called by an active server page. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the data includes a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the valuation report is transmitted to a plurality of client computers. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising transmitting the valuation report from a valuation server to a web server before transmitting the valuation report to the client computer. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the valuation report is transmitted in a TCP/IP format. 
     
     
         39 . A system for obtaining a vehicle insurance claim estimate data and a valuation report, comprising:
 a server system that 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 vehicle that is damaged, the web pages include at least one estimate web page and at least one vehicle valuation web page, said server system calls application programs that provide parts lists and calculate estimate data that provides a running total of a cost to repair the vehicle, said server system further processes the entered data to generate a valuation report for the vehicle, the valuation report provides a market value for the vehicle based on at least a mileage and a condition of the vehicle, said market value being the value of the vehicle before being damaged, and transmits the valuation report; and,   a client computer that allows for the input of data into said web pages, and receives the valuation report.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein said server system contains an original equipment guide database that processes the data for the valuation report. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein said web site allows for input of aftermarket equipment that is used to generate the valuation report. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle option that is used to generate the valuation report. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the application programs are part of a component object model that is called by an active server page. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle identification number that is included with the valuation report. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the valuation report is transmitted in a TCP/IP format. 
     
     
         46 . A server system that provides a vehicle insurance claim estimate data and a valuation report, comprising:
 at least one memory device that stores instructions;   a communication port; and,   at least one processor that is coupled to said memory device, and said communication port, said processor operates in accordance with said 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 vehicle that is damaged, the web pages include at least one estimate web page and at least one vehicle valuation web page, said processor calls application programs that provide parts lists and calculate estimate data that provides a running total of a cost to repair the vehicle, said processor further processes the entered data to generate a valuation report for the vehicle, the valuation report provides a market value for the vehicle based on at least a mileage and a condition of the vehicle, said market value being the value of the vehicle before being damaged, and transmission of said valuation report for the vehicle through said communication port.   
     
     
         47 . The server system of  claim 46 , wherein said web site allows for input of aftermarket equipment that is used to generate said valuation report. 
     
     
         48 . The server system of  claim 46 , wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle option that is used to generate said valuation report. 
     
     
         49 . The server system of  claim 46 , wherein the application programs are part of a component object model that is called by an active server page. 
     
     
         50 . The server system of  claim 46 , wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report. 
     
     
         51 . The server system of  claim 46 , wherein the valuation report is transmitted in a TCP/IP format. 
     
     
         52 . The server system of  claim 46 , wherein the data is processed with an original equipment guide database. 
     
     
         53 . A non-transitory computer program storage medium, comprising computer-readable instructions for generating a vehicle insurance claim estimate data and a valuation report, execution of said computer-readable instructions by at least one processor performs the steps of:
 receiving at a server system a uniform resource locator from a client computer;   providing 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 vehicle that is damaged, the web pages include at least one estimate web page and at least one vehicle valuation web page;   receiving data relating to the insurance claim;   calling application programs that provide parts lists and calculate estimate data that provides a running total of a cost to repair the vehicle;   processing the entered data to generate a valuation report for the vehicle, the valuation report provides a market value for the damaged vehicle based on at least a mileage and a condition of the vehicle, said market value being the value of the vehicle before being damaged; and,   transmitting the valuation report to the client computer.   
     
     
         54 . The non-transitory storage medium of  claim 53 , wherein said web site allows for input of aftermarket equipment that is used to generate said valuation report. 
     
     
         55 . The non-transitory storage medium of  claim 53 , wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle option that is used to generate said valuation report. 
     
     
         56 . The non-transitory storage medium of  claim 53 , wherein the application programs are part of a component object model that is called by an active server page. 
     
     
         57 . The non-transitory storage medium of  claim 53 , wherein said web site allows for input of a vehicle identification number that is included in the valuation report. 
     
     
         58 . The non-transitory storage medium of  claim 53 , wherein the valuation report is transmitted in a TCP/IP format. 
     
     
         59 . The non-transitory storage medium of  claim 53 , wherein the data is processed with an original equipment guide database. 
     
     
         60 - 90 . (canceled)