WO2004010345A1

WO2004010345A1 - Method and system for selecting repair shops for repairing damaged vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2004010345A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/007018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilbert Sydow; Klaus Posorski
Original assignee: Schmitz, Axel
Priority date: 2002-07-22
Filing date: 2003-07-02
Publication date: 2004-01-29
Also published as: DE10233308A1; AU2003253022A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for selecting repair shops (RB) for repairing damaged vehicles. In order to be able to always ensure a repair that is both good and reasonably priced, the invention provides a central computer device (Z) containing at least one database for storing names of repair shops (RB) according to their location and/or vehicle type. In addition, this central computer device (Z) is configured in such a manner that the selection of at least one repair shop (RB) stored in the database ensues, after the automatic input of a notification (M) of a case of damage, according to the distance of the location from the place of residence of the owner of the damaged vehicle or of another location and/or according to the vehicle type.

Description

Method and system for selecting repair shops to repair damaged motor vehicles

The invention relates to a method and a system for selecting repair companies for repairing damaged motor vehicles.

In connection with damage cases in motor vehicles, it is currently customary to have an expert opinion drawn up and then to submit the expert opinion to the insurance company concerned. There, the report is checked and the amount shown in the report is made available to the damaged owner to repair his vehicle. The owner of the damaged vehicle then either selects a repair shop that he thinks is suitable for repairing the vehicle, or he leaves the vehicle unrepaired and retains the amount provided by the insurance company to himself. Various problems arise in this connection. First of all, insurance often results in a financial disadvantage if the actual costs of the repair are lower than the costs stated in the report. In view of the large number of claims occurring each year, this direct financial disadvantage of the insurance ultimately also has an adverse effect on the membership fee. In addition, some owners, especially if they have not lived in a particular district for a long time, have no knowledge of good and reliable repair companies. In randomly selected repair shops, repairs can easily be carried out poorly or insufficiently, which can ultimately also impair the driving safety of the vehicle.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and a system for the selection of repair shops for the repair of damaged motor vehicles, which makes it possible to ensure an inexpensive and at the same time good repair of damaged vehicles.

The aforementioned object is achieved in terms of the method and the device by the features of claims 1 and 2.

BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE The invention offers a number of essential advantages. By including certain repair shops in the database, the operator of the database or the central computer device can first of all ensure that the database contains only those repair shops that are not only very inexpensive, but also carry out good and reliable repairs. In the method or system according to the invention, the repair company or companies concerned is selected fully automatically via the central computer device or its software, namely taking into account the respective area and the workshops in question, which ultimately depends on the place of residence of the owner or another place (for example the Damage location) and the type of vehicle. This means that owners who have no knowledge of good and reliable repair workshops can easily obtain information about a sufficiently good and inexpensive repair workshop. In addition, the method and system according to the invention can be used to significantly reduce the costs, which are sometimes too high, which are incurred in insurance in connection with the claims settlement. As part of his duty to mitigate damage, the damaged owner will not only be notified of the workshops selected according to the method and system according to the invention, but he may be obliged to have his damaged vehicle repaired by these workshops or the amount estimated by these inexpensive workshops for repair, which generally less than the amount set by the appraiser. In this way, insurance companies incur significantly reduced costs.

Moreover, it goes without saying that the method and system according to the invention can be used not only for motor vehicle repairs, but also in other areas, such as in the area of real estate and other property damage events. Although other applications are also possible, only the area of motor vehicle repairs will be discussed below. However, the relevant statements are also to be understood and applied accordingly to other applications.

It is particularly advantageous if the central computer device is connected to a communication network, in particular to the Internet or to an intranet. In this way, the communication of the central Computer equipment with insurance companies, from which the damage reports come, shorten and there is an effective implementation of the overall concept.

It is also advantageous if the reporting of a damage occurs electronically via the communication network, which considerably facilitates further processing. In this context, it is particularly favorable that the notification of the damage has an expert opinion with an expertly stated repair cost estimate and pictures of the damaged vehicle. The owner's place of residence and vehicle type should also be specified. It goes without saying that the message can also contain further information.

In connection with the method and system according to the invention, it is the case that the central computer equipment automatically selects at least one repair company after receiving the message. In other words, the receipt of the message at the central computer device automatically leads to the corresponding processing, that is to say that the receipt of the message automatically initiates or generates the selection. In this context, it is important that the message contains the place of residence of the keeper or the other place and / or the type of motor vehicle, or that this is communicated in any case in connection with the message to the central computer device and that these data are read in automatically, so that they can be taken into account and processed in the automatic selection.

The respective repair shops are selected in a computer-controlled manner in such a way that a predetermined number of the repair shops closest to the place of residence or location is determined on the basis of the place of residence of the owner or the other place. In principle, it is also possible for all repair shops located within a radius with a predetermined radius (for example 30 kilometers) to be determined automatically.

In connection with the method and system according to the invention it is also provided that other computer facilities of the repair shops are connected to the communication network, so that an electronic

Communication between the central computer device and the others Computer equipment of the repair shops is possible. The embodiment according to the invention is such that the selected repair shops automatically receive the notification of the damage. As a result of this configuration, it is the case that a damage case forwarded by an insurance company to the central computer device - depending on the computing power - is automatically forwarded in a fraction of a second or even in seconds to certain predetermined or selected repair shops.

In order to create a competitive or special competitive relationship between the selected repair companies, which ultimately also affects the respective price for repairing the damaged vehicle, it is advisable for all selected repair companies to automatically add the total number of selected repair companies, especially together is communicated with the message. In this way, each individual repair shop knows that it is not the only selected repair shop to whom the report has been sent as an offer to carry out a repair.

In order to ensure rapid processing in the selected repair shops, it is also provided according to the invention that all the selected repair shops are automatically informed of a predetermined time interval, for example a week, to give a response to the message. In this context, it is particularly advisable that the message sent as an electronic file is designed such that it is automatically deleted if no response is sent to the computer device within the time interval. In an alternative embodiment it is provided that the central computer device no longer takes into account a response sent to the central computer device after the predetermined time interval has elapsed.

The replies from the repair shops, which are also sent as an electronic file via the communication network to the central computer equipment, show the cost of repairing the damage to the respective motor vehicle. This cost specification is automatically read in via the corresponding software of the central computer device, the operation with the lowest cost specification then being automatically selected. To the selection, the cost-effective selected company is automatically communicated to the keeper and / or the insurance company.

In connection with the repair of damaged motor vehicles, it can happen that a damaged vehicle has a technical or at least an economic total loss. In the invention, the central computer device or its software is designed such that the event "total damage" is automatically recognized when a total damage is reported. When total damage is detected, the central computer device automatically publishes the report or certain parts of the report on a page that can be called up via the Internet. In this way, any third party has the opportunity to acquire the motor vehicle that has total economic damage for its own use.

Since the vehicle in question is generally no longer repaired in the event of total economic damage, it is provided in this case that the automatic selection of at least one repair company is omitted. This has the advantage that redundant work in the repair shops by processing a message relating to a vehicle that can ultimately no longer be repaired is eliminated.

The invention is explained below using an exemplary embodiment based on the attached single figure.

In the figure, a system 1 for the selection of repair shops RB for the repair of damaged motor vehicles is shown. The system 1 has a central computer device Z with at least one database for storing repair shops RB according to their location and / or by vehicle type. The central computer device Z is designed in such a way that the selection of at least one repair company RB stored in the database after receipt of a message M of a claim occurs automatically as a function of the distance from the location to the place of residence W of the owner of the damaged motor vehicle or another location and / or Motor vehicle type takes place. The other location can be, for example, the location of the damage if it does not match the place of residence W of the owner. Basically, it makes sense for the central computer device Z to have a plurality of databases, the individual databases each containing data about repair shops of the same type of motor vehicle, "motor vehicle type" also meaning certain motor vehicle brands. For example, one database may only contain repair shops RB of the "Mercedes" type, while another database contains only repair shops of motor vehicles of the "BMW" or "Volkswagen / Audi / Seat" brands. Basically, a breakdown according to the type of motor vehicle can also be made by providing databases for repair shops for two-wheelers, for passenger cars and for trucks.

Although this is not shown in detail, the central computer device Z is connected to a communication network, in the present case the Internet. In principle, however, it is also possible for the central computer device Z to be connected to an internal network with which individual insurance companies V are also connected via corresponding computer devices and also the repair shops RB stored in the database or databases via corresponding computer devices R. By networking the insurance companies V with the central computer device Z, it is possible to send the message M of a claim electronically via the communication network. Time-consuming correspondence, which requires manual processing and, accordingly, personnel, is not necessary.

In any case, the report M of the damage has an expert opinion with an estimate of the repair costs and pictures of the damaged vehicle. Insurance company V issues the report electronically. For this purpose, the documents created by experts are scanned and digitized so that this information can be sent to the central computer device Z as an electronic file and thus as a message M.

In principle, it is of course also possible for the reviewers to provide their review in an appropriate form, namely as an electronic file

To be made available so that they can be hedging company V can be sent to the central computer device Z. In any case, the message M, which is sent electronically by an insurance company V to the Zenkakechnereinrichtung Z, is automatically processed to select at least one repair company RB. The receipt of the message M at the central computer device Z automatically generates the selection or initiates the selection process. For this purpose, the place of residence W of the keeper or the other place as well as the type of motor vehicle are communicated in the message M and automatically read in by the central computer device Z or its software. The selection of repair shops RB is then carried out on the basis of the information read in, in a computer-assisted manner. If the damaged motor vehicle is one of the "Mercedes" brand, the relevant database is selected and the holder's place of residence W is entered. A predetermined number of the nearest repair shops (for example four) is then determined. In this case, the number of repair shops selected is limited to four. If a radius around the place of residence W of the keeper is specified, for example, of 30 km, it can happen in densely populated areas with a large number of repair shops that more than four repair shops RB are determined.

In the repair shops RB, recorder devices R are provided, which are also connected to the network, in the present case the Internet. The repair kits RB selected via the Zenkakechnereinrichkrng Z automatically receive the notification M of the damage electronically as a file. At the same time, the selected repair pawns RB are informed of the total number of repair pawns selected. In the exemplary embodiment shown, four repair shops RW ₄ , RW ₅ , RW ₇ and RW _{8 have been} selected based on the holder's place of residence W. Only these repair shops receive the message M, while the other repair shops RB of this database do not receive a message. At the same time, the selected repair shops RW ₄ , RW ₅ , RW and RW _{8 are} informed of a time interval for issuing a response. If a response is given within the specified time interval, this response is accepted by the Zenkakechnereinrichtung Z. Incoming responses after the time interval Ten are no longer accepted by the central computer device Z and are no longer taken into account.

The responses received on time, which are also sent electronically as a file, each have a cost indication that is automatically read in by the central computer device Z or its software. The central computer device Z automatically compares the cost amounts and then automatically selects the operation with the lowest cost specification. If several repair kits have the same low cost, the selection is based on the shortest distance from the respective location to the place of residence W of the holder or to the other location. If this is also identical, the selection is made according to a random function.

It is also possible that a reduction in the percentage of the cost, compared to the cost claim specified in the report, has been agreed with repair shops RB. In this case, for example, the selection of repair boxes RB ₄ , RB ₅ , RB ₇ and RB ₈ described above leads to the fact that the boxes also receive message M. The response then only serves to confirm that timely repairs are possible. The event "no timely response" is evaluated by the central computer device Z in such a way that timely repair is not possible.

The selected repair kit RB is finally automatically communicated to the insurance company V and / or the keeper. This message, sent as an electronic file, then preferably also contains the cost information communicated by the repair company RB.

The Zenkakechnereinrichtung Z is otherwise designed such that the event "total damage" is automatically recognized when an electronically transmitted message M In such a case, the message M is either published completely or only parts of the message automatically on an Internet page of the central computer device Z which can be called up via the Internet. In this case, a selection of a repair kit RB, as described above, is not made. As a result, the invention provides a fully automatic selection of a suitable repair kit in the event of damage to a damaged motor vehicle.

Claims

claims:

1. A method for selecting repair shops for repairing damaged motor vehicles, characterized in that a plurality of repair shops (RB) are stored in at least one database of a Zenkakechnereinrichtung (Z) according to their location and / or by type of motor vehicle and that the selection of at least one in of the database of the repair kit (RB) stored automatically after receipt of a notification (M) of a damage event depending on the distance from the location to the place of residence (W) of the owner of the damaged motor vehicle or another location and / or the motor vehicle type.

2. System (1) for the selection of repair shops (RB) for repairing damaged motor vehicles, characterized in that a Zenkal computer device (Z) with at least one database for storing repair shops (RB) is provided according to their location and or according to the type of motor vehicle and that the Zenkakechnereinrichtung (Z) is designed such that the selection of at least one repair company (RB) stored in the database automatically after receipt of a message (M) of a damage event depending on the distance of the location to the place of residence (W) of the owner of the damaged motor vehicle or another location and / or the motor vehicle type.

3. The method or system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Zenkakechnereinrichtung (Z) is connected to a communication network, in particular the Internet.

4. The method or system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the message (M) of a damage occurs electronically via the communication network and that, preferably, the message (M) of the damage has an expert opinion with repair costs and pictures of the damaged vehicle ,

5. The method or system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the message (M) after receipt from the Zenkal- computer device (Z) is automatically processed to select at least one repair kit (RB) and that, preferably, the receipt of the message (M) automatically initiates the selection.

6. The method or system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the place of residence (W) of the holder or the other location and / or the type of motor vehicle communicated with or in the message (M) and automatically read in and that, preferably, the selection of repair shops (RB) is carried out in such a way that, based on the place of residence (W) of the owner or the other location and / or the type of motor vehicle, a predetermined number of the nearest repair shops (RB) or all repair shops located within a radius with a predetermined radius ( RB) can be determined.

7. The method or system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that further computer means (R) of the repair kits (RB) are connected to the communication network and that the selected repair kits (RB) automatically receive the message (M) of the claim.

8. The method or system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all selected repair kits (RB) are automatically informed of the number of the total selected repair kits (RB), in particular together with the message (M), that, preferably, All selected repair shops (RB) are automatically informed of a predetermined time interval for issuing a response to the message (M) that, preferably, the message (M) is automatically deleted if no response is sent to the Zenkakechnereimrichtung (Z) within the time interval and / or the Zenkakechnereinrichtung (Z) no longer takes into account an answer received after the time interval has elapsed.

9. The method or system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the replies of the repair companies (RB) have a cost specification for repairing the damage, that the cost entry is automatically read in, that the repair company (RB) is automatically selected with the lowest cost specification and that, preferably, after Selection of the repair shop (RB) with the lowest cost information automatically sends a message to the sender of the message (M) and / or the holder.

10. The method or system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a response is evaluated as confirmation of the willingness to carry out the repair and that a repair company (RB) is automatically selected from the repair shops (RB) that have responded and that, preferably, the selected repair company (RB) is notified to the sender of the message (M) and / or the keeper.

11. The method or system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the event "total damage" is automatically detected in a message that, preferably, upon detection of the event "total damage" the message (M) or parts of the message (M ) is automatically published on a page that can be called up via the Internet and / or the notification (M) of a total loss and detection of the event "total loss" does not automatically select at least one repair kit (RB).