Patent ID: 7636676
Filing Date: 2009-12-22
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computerized system for preparing and presenting a vehicle cost of repair estimate to a vehicle owner, comprising: a server controlled by an entity serving as a third party to one or more repair facilities and the vehicle owner configured to receive from said vehicle owner: (a) vehicle identification data; (b) component identification data for one or more components needed to complete a repair to a vehicle identified by said vehicle identification data; and (c) a geographic location where said repair will take place; one or more databases for storing: (a) vehicle manufacturer component cost data relating to various components of said vehicle to be repaired; (b) vehicle manufacturer labor time data associated with various repairs for said vehicle to be repaired; and (c) labor rate data associated with said geographic location where said vehicle repair will take place; wherein said server executes a process, in response to receiving said vehicle identification data, said component identification data and said geographic location, automatically: (a) searches said one or more databases using said vehicle identification data and said component identification data for one or more components needed to complete a repair for said vehicle; (b) retrieves vehicle manufacturer component cost data and vehicle manufacturer labor time data for each of said one or more components from said one or more databases; (c) acquires an average labor rate for said geographic location where said repair will take place; (d) automatically calculates a cost of repair estimate using said vehicle manufacturer component cost data, said vehicle manufacturer labor time data, and said average labor rate; and (e) transmits said cost of repair estimate for display to said vehicle owner.