Patent Publication Number: US-7716123-B2

Title: Systems and methods for automatic submission, audit and adjustment of mortgage insurance claims

Description:
A computer program listing appendix is being submitted herewith, in duplicate, on a compact disc, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The compact disc containing the following files: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
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                 DATE 
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                 clmdbfn.cpp 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 31,853 
               
               
                   
                 clmget.cpp 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 46,509 
               
               
                   
                 clmstrng.cpp 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 3,514 
               
               
                   
                 clm_calc.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 98,812 
               
               
                   
                 clm_control.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 9,846 
               
               
                   
                 clm_glob.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 5,543 
               
               
                   
                 clm_init.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 16,386 
               
               
                   
                 clm_map.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 19,368 
               
               
                   
                 clm_phld.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 40,664 
               
               
                   
                 clm_rls1.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 111,529 
               
               
                   
                 clm_rls2.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 86,387 
               
               
                   
                 clm_schm.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 21,237 
               
               
                   
                 clm_socs.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 4,076 
               
               
                   
                 clm_utl.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 52,352 
               
               
                   
                 clm_vld.art 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 62,050 
               
               
                   
                 dateutil.cpp 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 28,349 
               
               
                   
                 genutil.cpp 
                 Oct. 15, 2001 
                 25,839 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to improvements to systems and methods for processing insurance claims, and more particularly to advantageous aspects of systems and methods for submission, audit, adjustment and payment of mortgage insurance claims. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     When a servicer submits a claim under a mortgage insurance policy, the servicer typically wants to reach an acceptable settlement of the claim as expeditiously as possible. In addition, if some or all of the submitted claim is disallowed by the mortgage insurance company, a servicer typically would like to know the reasons behind the disallowance as soon as possible in order to take appropriate action including, for example, submitting a supplementary claim. Further, from the point of view of the insurance company, it is desirable to make the claims settlement process more efficient in order to optimize the company&#39;s use of its human resources. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above-described issues and others are addressed by the present invention, various aspects of which provide systems and methods for automatically processing mortgage insurance claims submitted over a network. In a system according to an aspect of the invention, a servicer submits a mortgage insurance claim by entering claim data into a servicer terminal connected into a network. A network server computer receives the claim data from the servicer terminal and accesses a claims database and a claim audit rulebase to automatically perform an audit and adjustment of the claim. The system automatically provides results of the audit and adjustment to the servicer at the servicer terminal, and provides the servicer with an option to interact with a claim representative to resolve any issues remaining after the audit. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a diagram of an mortgage insurance claim processing system according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a process map of a mortgage insurance claim adjustment process according to the prior art. 
         FIG. 3  shows a process map of a mortgage insurance claim adjustment process according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a screenshot of a website home page according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a screenshot of a website main menu screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows the website main menu screen shown in  FIG. 5  with a sub-menu displayed. 
         FIG. 7  shows a screenshot of a main menu screen of an automated mortgage insurance claim processing system according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows a screenshot of a coverage validation screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  shows a screenshot of a property verification screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIGS. 10A through 10E  show a claim submission screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  show an audit results screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIGS. 12A through 12C  show a preliminary explanation of benefits screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIGS. 13A through 13D  show a view claim screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIGS. 14A through 14F  show an edit originals screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIGS. 15A through 15F  show an audit adjustments screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  shows a pay hold acquire screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  show a more detail screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  shows a generate settlement letter screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIGS. 19A through 19C  show an exemplary settlement letter according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  shows an administration menu screen according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  shows a flowchart of a claim submission process according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIGS. 22A through 22C  show a rules table according to an aspect of the invention. 
         FIG. 23  shows a flowchart of a claim submission process according to an aspect of the invention, in which a claim processing system receives bulk submissions of claims. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the term “servicer” refers to a loan servicing business that has contracted to perform administrative services relating to a loan, including the submission of mortgage insurance claims. The term “servicer” includes employees or other authorized parties acting on behalf of the loan servicing business. The servicer for a given loan may or may not be the financial institution from which the loan originated, and may or may not be the payee of a submitted mortgage insurance claim. 
     As used herein, the term “claim representative” refers to a mortgage insurance company employee, or other authorized representative, who handles mortgage insurance claims. Aspects of the present invention provide for a claim representative to be contacted in certain situations. 
     A first aspect of the invention provides a web-based system that is accessed by a servicer over the Internet to submit mortgage insurance claim data using an on-line claim for Loss form. After the data has been submitted, an automated claim audit rulebase determines the validity of the claim amounts submitted, and further determines whether there is a possibility of loss mitigation. The rules used to determine the validity of claims and loss mitigation potential are designed to allow the system to be as user-friendly as possible. 
     Even though the system is automated, the system preserves the integrity of the claims process, and no financial controls are lost. Based upon the inputs entered into the system, the claim audit rulebase automatically audits and adjusts the claim and calculates a total allowable claim amount, net of policy deductions. At the end of the calculation, each deduction is displayed to the servicer with an explanation of the basis of the deduction. If the servicer believes that an exception applies to a particular deduction, the servicer clicks on an e-mail link and, using e-mail, explains the exception to a claim representative. The system automatically provides an on-screen summary of the settlement terms, and an anticipated payment date. The system further automatically generates a hard copy of an official settlement letter to be sent to the servicer. 
     Throughout the process, there are field validations and calculations allowing the servicer an opportunity to edit the information entered. The servicer is further provided with the option of reviewing the findings at a later time, if preferred. An additional feature of the system allows a servicer to query the status and audit results of an individual claim or group of claims submitted. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention, the claim audit rulebase provides for a number of different outcomes, including: Pay or Acquire. These outcomes reflect whether the rulebase has determined that there is a possibility for the mortgage insurance company to mitigate the amount of the claimed loss by acquiring the distressed property. 
     Typically, at the time the servicer files a mortgage insurance claim, the borrower has defaulted on the loan secured by the mortgage, and the servicer has acquired possession of, and title to, the distressed property in a foreclosure proceeding. If, prior to the submission of the mortgage insurance claim, the servicer has sold the distressed property, then there is no opportunity for loss mitigation. In that case, the claim audit rulebase classifies the claim as a Presale. The system automatically calculates the amount of the claim and communicates that amount to the servicer as described above. 
     If, however, the servicer still has title to the distressed property at the time the mortgage insurance claim is submitted, the claim audit rulebase determines whether there is a possibility for the amount of the insured loss to be mitigated through an acquisition of the property by the mortgage insurance company. If the engine determines that there is, in fact, a possibility for loss mitigation, the engine classifies the claim as a Hold or an Acquire, and informs the servicer that the insurance company is considering the acquisition of the distressed property. 
     Whether a claim is classified as a Hold or an Acquire depends upon whether additional consideration is required to make the decision whether to acquire the distressed property. Where the claim meets certain guidelines indicating that acquisition is an appropriate course of action, the claim is classified as an Acquire. However, if additional consideration is required by personnel at the mortgage insurance company, the claim is classified as a Hold. In either event, the claim is referred to appropriate mortgage insurance company personnel for appropriate followup. 
     As mentioned above, an aspect of the invention automatically provides a servicer submitting a claim with an explanation of any adjustments made by the system to the submitted claim. Armed with this knowledge, the servicer has the ability to submit additional information or to explain an expense item before the claim settlement has been processed. This assists the servicer, and also allows the mortgage insurance company to be more productive by reducing the number of supplemental claims to be processed. Currently, after a servicer has received claim settlement funds, the servicer in many cases will elect to submit a supplemental claim to recover expenses that were not allowed by the claim representative during the initial claim adjustment process. The system also may reduce followup time by setting reasonably accurate expectations of when claim settlements will be received. Currently, it is not uncommon for a servicer, not having a precise idea as to when payment is to be made, to contact mortgage insurance company personnel, thus placing an unnecessary burden on both the servicer and the mortgage insurance company. Similarly, the present invention also reduces followup time by allowing a servicer to make inquiries on-line regarding the status of submitted claims. 
       FIG. 1  shows a web-based automated mortgage insurance claim processing system  10  according to an aspect of the invention. It should be noted that it is possible to configure the system  10  in a number of different ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. The system  10  includes a network of servicer terminals  12  that capture mortgage insurance claim data from servicers. In the  FIG. 1  system  10 , the network of servicer terminals is connected into the network using an Internet connection  22 . However, it would also be within the spirit of the invention for a servicer to access the system  10  using other types of network connections. 
     Each servicer terminal  12  may be a stand-alone personal computer, workstation, or the like, running on a suitable operating system platform, such as Microsoft Windows. An exemplary servicer terminal  12  is illustrated as a personal computer  14  that includes a display  15 , a keyboard  16 , and a mouse  18 . If desired, a printer (not shown) may also be connected to the personal computer  14 . Other types of input and output devices may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Each servicer terminal  12  runs a suitable web browser  20 , such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. 
     The servicer terminals  12  are connected using an Internet connection  22 , or other network connection, to a centralized web server computer  24 . In the present configuration of the system  10 , the web server computer  24  acts as a waystation, for sending web pages out to the servicer terminals  12 , and for receiving data inputted by servicers and captured at the servicer terminals  12 . 
     Web pages are generated by a transaction server computer  26  in the form of active server pages (ASPs). In generating the web pages, the transaction server computer  26  uses stored templates  28 . In addition, the transaction server computer  26  has access to a claims database  30 , which contains information relating to the submitted claim. 
     When a servicer submits a claim at a servicer terminal  12 , the claim data is captured in a web page and transmitted via the Internet connection  22  to the web server  24 , which in turn relays the captured data to the transaction server  26 . The transaction server in turn accesses a claim audit rulebase  32  that automatically audits and adjusts the submitted claim. As its name implies, the claim audit rulebase  32  includes rules, triggering factors indicating when a rule should be invoked, and automatic logic dictating actions to be performed by the claim audit rulebase  32  when a rule is invoked. 
     As mentioned above, there are a number of possible outcomes of the automatic audit and adjustment performed by the claim audit rulebase  32 , including Pay or Acquire. In a Pay outcome, the system  10  has determined that a payment is to be made on the submitted claim, and the servicer is informed of the amount of the adjusted claim, as well as a projected date for payment. In an Acquire outcome, the system  10  has determined that there is a possibility of loss mitigation through an acquisition of the distressed property, and the servicer is informed of this determination. 
     Finally, the web server computer  24  accesses a document generator server  36  that automatically creates a settlement letter that is printed out on a printer  37  and mailed to the servicer. In addition, the loss mitigation mainframe computer  34  accesses the claims database  30  and the mortgage insurance database  31  to effect payment of the claim in a form requested by the servicer. Payment options include payment by an automated clearinghouse (ACH) transaction or by paper check. 
     If issues arise during the claim adjustment process that cannot be resolved automatically by the system  10 , the servicer is automatically invited to contact a claim representative by e-mail. As shown in  FIG. 1 , claim representatives may be connected into the system  10  through a network of claim representative terminals  40  connected to the web server  24 . Although an Internet connection  42  is shown in  FIG. 1  for connecting the claim representative terminals  40  to the web server  24 , it would also be within the spirit of the invention for the claim representative terminals  40  to be part of an internal, local network. Like the servicer terminals  12 , the claim representative terminals  40  run a suitable web browser  44 , such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. In addition to e-mail, a servicer may use other modes of communication to contact a claim representative, including telephone, fax, and regular mail. 
     The operation of the present invention may be better understood with reference to  FIG. 2 , which shows a process map of a claim adjustment process  50  according to the prior art, and  FIG. 3 , which shows a process map of an automated claim adjustment process  90  according to an aspect of the invention. 
     In the claim adjustment process  50  shown in  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that there are three basic participants in the process: a servicer  52 ; a claim representative  54 , who is typically an employee of a mortgage insurance company; and the mortgage insurance company&#39;s finance department  56 . 
     A claim is initiated when the servicer  52  submits a claim in step  58 . As discussed above, a servicer typically submits a claim after the borrower has defaulted and the distressed property has been foreclosed upon. In the prior art, the submission of a claim in step  58  is typically accomplished using a paper form that has been filled out by the servicer  52  and then mailed or otherwise conveyed to the claim representative  54 . 
     In step  60 , the claim is received by the claim representative  54 , who then images the claim data in step  62  and enters the imaged data into a claim audit rulebase  64 . In step  66 , the claim audit rulebase  64  is used to establish a work list that in step  68  is used by the claim representative  54  to audit the submitted data. In step  70 , the claim representative  54  processes any exceptions identified in the claim data, and in step  72 , the claim representative submits a check requisition to the finance department. 
     In step  74 , the finance department  56  prints out a check. In step  76 , the amount of the check is verified by the claim representative  54 , who in step  78  then prepares a settlement letter. The settlement letter is then transmitted to the finance department  56  so that, in step  80 , the finance department  56  can mail the claim check and settlement letter to the servicer  52 . In step  82 , the servicer  52  receives the settlement letter and claim check. If the servicer  52  has an issue with the amount of the claim check, the servicer  52  then must contact the claim representative  54  and, if necessary, file a supplementary claim, which is then adjusted following steps  60  through  82 . 
     The present invention provides systems and methods whereby many of the steps in the prior art have been eliminated, and in which servicers receive audit amounts in a more expeditious manner.  FIG. 3  shows a process map of an automated claim adjustment process  90  according to an aspect of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , there are only two major participants in the process: a servicer  92  and an automated claims adjustment system  94 , such as the system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In step  96 , a website is used to capture claim data inputted by the servicer  92 . In step  98 , a claim audit rulebase automatically processes data, identifies exceptions, and calculates a total claim amount. 
     As described in further detail below, each rule stored in the claim audit rulebase includes a trigger that determines when the rule is to be invoked. The data submitted by the servicer, as well as data already stored in the system, are analyzed by the system to automatically determine which rules have been triggered. Each triggered rule is then automatically applied to the data, resulting in certain predetermined operations to be performed by the automated claims system  94 . 
     In step  100 , the servicer  92  may accept the claim amount by doing nothing and allowing the system to proceed automatically to step  102 . However, if the servicer  92  does not accept the claim amount, the servicer  92  is given the option of interacting with a claim representative to resolve any exceptions. In step  102 , once a claim amount has been accepted by the servicer, the servicer  92  receives a system-generated claim settlement letter. In addition, the servicer  92  receives funds in payment of the claim amount, either in the form of an ACH transaction or other method specified by the servicer  92 . Finally, in step  104 , a claim representative performs any required post-audit functions, including, for example, an efficiency or quality control (QC) audit. 
     It will be appreciated that the present invention has benefits for both a servicer and for a mortgage insurance company. From the servicer&#39;s point of view, the benefits include the elimination of paper, the elimination of human error, and expedited processing and payment of a submitted claim. From the point of view of the mortgage insurance company, the advantages include a streamlined process, reduced costs, and increased productivity. It is projected that as much as 100% of current primary claim volume will potentially flow through the process  90  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , with servicers receiving an immediate calculation of a claim amount for approximately 50% of submitted claims. 
     According to an aspect of the system, the automated claims adjustment system is accessed through an integrated website incorporating a number of different systems relating to the operations of a mortgage insurance company.  FIG. 4  shows a screenshot of a website home page  100  according to this aspect of the invention. The home page  100  includes labeled data entry boxes for receiving a user ID  102  and a password  104  that have been assigned to the identified user. After these items are entered, the user clicks on the Go button  106  to go to the website main menu screen  110  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The website main menu screen  110  includes labeled buttons  111 - 114  that allow a user to access different systems that have been integrated into the website. The user accesses an automated claim processing system according to the present invention by clicking on the button labeled Delinquency Reporting and claims  113 . Clicking on this button  113  causes the sub-menu  115  shown in  FIG. 6  to appear. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the sub-menu  115  includes two selections under the heading claims on the Web: Submit claims Online  116  and Check Status of Previously Submitted claims  117 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a screenshot of a main menu status screen  120  according to an aspect of the invention. The main menu status screen  120  allows a servicer to select a function to be performed, including: submit a new claim  122 , retrieve an existing claim or claims  124 , or contact a claim representative  126 . A Help button  128  is provided that, when clicked on by a servicer, causes the system to display instructions on how to complete a claim. Finally, a Logoff button  130  is provided to allow the servicer to exit the system. 
       FIG. 8  shows a screenshot of a claim identification screen  140  according to an aspect of the invention. The claim submission process begins with a servicer or other user of the system entering data in one of the following data boxes: certificate number  142 , loan number  144 , social security number  146 , or borrower name  148 . The servicer then clicks on the Search button  150 , which causes the system to display the property verification screen  152  shown in  FIG. 9  to confirm correct coverage. If multiple loans exist that match the search criteria, the servicer is given the ability to select from a list of these loans. The selection causes the system to display the property verification screen. If the servicer verifies that the mortgage property in question is in fact covered by the identified mortgage insurance policy, the loan servicer clicks on the Verify and Continue button  154  on the property verification screen  152 . If, however, there is a discrepancy in the listed information, the loan servicer clicks on the Previous Screen button  156  to return to the previous screen to change the search criteria. Alternatively, if there is a discrepancy in the listed information, the servicer may instead contact the mortgage insurer directly. 
       FIGS. 10A through 10E  show a claim submission screen  160  according to an aspect of the invention. The claim submission screen  160  includes a number of sections containing data relating to the submitted claim. These sections include: Loan Information  162 , Interest Information  180 , Expense Information  200 , Deductible Items  200 , Property Value Information  240 , Access Information  260 , Additional Information  280 , and claims Authorization and Submission  300 . The claim submission screen shown in  FIGS. 10A through 10E  contains all of the claim data used in the Uniform Mortgage Insurance claim for Loss, which is a standard form in the mortgage insurance industry. According to an aspect of the invention, each of the form sections  162 - 300  includes data entry fields that are pre-filled with any information already stored in the system. The servicer or other user of the system edits a pre-filled field, or enters data in a blank field, as needed, by clicking on the field with a mouse and using a keyboard to key in data. As described below, certain fields pre-filled by the system are not editable by the servicer. After the servicer has completed the form and verified the accuracy of the information contained in the form, the servicer clicks on a Submit claim button  174  at the bottom of the form  160 , which causes the claim to be automatically submitted. 
     The first section of the form  160  is a Loan Information section  162 , shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . The Loan Information section  162  includes general information relating to the mortgage insurance policy for which the claim is being submitted. Certain fields, including the % Coverage field  170  and the claim Type field  172 , are automatically pre-filled by the system and are not editable by the servicer. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10B , the second section of the form  160  is an Interest Information section  180 . This section  180  is used to calculate the total amount of interest owed by the borrower as a result of the mortgage default. This section  180  includes an Unpaid Principal Balance field  182 , which contains the unpaid principal balance  182  of the loan in default. 
     The Interest Information section  180  includes an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) calculator. Where different interest rates have applied during different periods of the loan, these rates are entered into the system using the boxes labeled: From Date  188 , To Date  190 , and Note Rate  192 . The servicer then clicks on the Add button  194 . The inputted information is displayed in box  196 . The total amount of interest that has been verified by calculation is displayed as a data field labeled Accumulated Interest  198 . 
     The Expense Information section  200 , shown in  FIG. 10C , is used to enter expenses incurred by the servicer that may be recoverable under the mortgage insurance policy. This section  200  includes a drop-down menu  202 , which includes all of the categories of expenses recognized on Uniform Mortgage Insurance claim for Loss. After the user has identified an expense category using the drop-down menu  202 , the user then enters an amount for the expense in the Amount box  204  and the date upon which the expense was incurred in the Date box  206 . The servicer and then clicks the Add button  208 , which causes the item to be added to a cumulative list of expenses  210 . Depending on the expense selected in  202 , entries may be required in the boxes labeled Effective Start Date  212 , Effect End Date  214 , or Monthly Payment Amount  216 . 
     The Deductible Item section  220 , shown in  FIGS. 10C and 10D , is used to enter deductible items that are standard within the mortgage industry. The Property Value Information section  240 , shown in  FIG. 10D , contains the current market value of the distressed value, the servicer/invest value, and the respective value dates. The Access Information section  260 , also shown in  FIG. 10D , contains the status of the distressed property: Vacant, Occupied, or Unknown. In addition, the Access Information section  260  contains the name and telephone number of the person holding the key to the property. The Additional Information section  280 , shown in  FIGS. 10D and 10E , allows the servicer to update critical dates related to the delinquency used in the claim Audit rulebase. The claims Authorization and Submission section  300 , shown in  FIG. 10E , includes a certification by the servicer of the submitted claim information, and includes boxes for inputting contact information for the person submitting the claim. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  show an audit results screen  320  according to an aspect of the invention. This screen  360  is used to provide immediate feedback to a servicer regarding a submitted claim. As shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the audit results screen  320  provides an itemized list of adjustments that have been made to the claim by the system. The list is presented in a table  362 . For each adjustment, the first column  324  lists the section of the claim for Loss form adjusted, the second column  326  lists the reason for adjustment, and the third column  328  lists the amount of the adjustment. A total amount of adjustments  330  appears under the third column  328 . 
     The list of explanations provided by the audit results screen  320  helps a servicer to understand the basis for exceptions and adjustments, and may answer questions regarding the submitted claim without having to consult a claim representative at the mortgage insurance company. Further, even if a servicer deems it necessary to contact a claim representative, the information received on the audit results screen  320  allows the servicer to conduct a more intelligent conversation with the claim representative than would otherwise be the case. Thus, it will be appreciated that the present invention serves to expedite the claim submission process, and may lead to a significant time saving. 
       FIGS. 12A through 12C  show a preliminary explanation of benefits screen  340  according to an aspect of the invention. This screen  340  is used to provide the service with a preliminary itemized explanation of a claim amount calculated by the system. As shown in  FIG. 12A , the preliminary explanation of benefits screen  340  includes an Item section  342 , listing for each claim item the amount submitted by the servicer and the amount allowed by the system. These amounts are added together to arrive at a total claim amount  344 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 12B , the screen  340  includes a Loss Amount  336 , a guaranty amount  348 , a net claim amount  350 , and a preliminary claim amount  352 . The screen  340  further includes a list of reasons for adjustments  354 , interval calculations  356 . As shown in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the screen  340  also includes a section listing event dates  358 . 
       FIGS. 13A through 13D  show a view claim screen  360  according to an aspect of the invention. The view claim screen  360  allows a server to view a previously entered claim, without the ability to change data. 
       FIGS. 14A through 14F  show an edit originals screen  380  according to an aspect of the invention. The edit originals screen  380  is only shown internally to a claim representative or other authorized personnel. The edit originals screen  380  shows the claim as originally entered by the servicer. The claim representative or other authorized personnel is able to correct any data entry errors made by the servicer. 
       FIGS. 15A through 15F  show an audit adjustments screen  400  according to an aspect of the invention. The audit adjustments screen  400  is only shown internally to a claim representative or other authorized personnel. This screen is used by a claim representative to override adjustments made by the claim audit rulebase when there are circumstances outside the scope of the claim audit rulebase logic that affect the settlement of the claim. 
       FIG. 16  shows a screenshot of a pay hold acquire screen  420  according to an aspect of the invention. This screen is only shown internally to a claim representative or other authorized personnel. The pay hold acquire screen  420  shows a list of parameters, displayed in a matrix of labeled data boxes  422 , which are used by a claim audit rulebase, such as the claim audit rulebase  32  shown in  FIG. 1 , in determining whether to characterize a submitted claim as a Pay, Hold, or Acquire. The type of disposition arrived at by the system is displayed as a non-editable data field  424  in the upper right portion of the screen  420 . Editable data boxes appearing on the screen  420  are used by a claim representative or other authorized person to revise the disposition parameters, as needed. 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  show a more detail screen  440  according to an aspect of the invention. This screen is for internal use only, and provides additional background information to the claim representative. The screen is also used for input of data used internally for an audit. 
       FIG. 18  shows a generate settlement letter screen  460  according to an aspect of the invention. This screen allows a claim representative or other authorized personnel to cause the system to generate a settlement letter. Once the claim representative has selected among various presented options, the claim representative clicks on the Generate Letter button  462  to cause the settlement letter to be generated. 
       FIGS. 19A through 19C  show an exemplary settlement letter  480  generated by the system, to be sent to the servicer after the automatic claim settlement process has been completed. As mentioned above, this letter may be generated by the system using a server computer such as the document generator server  36  shown in  FIG. 1 , and printed out on a printer  37  for mailing to the servicer. The settlement letter  480  includes a section entitled Final Explanation of Benefits  482  and a section entitled Reasons for Adjustments  484 . 
       FIG. 20  shows an administration menu screen  500  according to an aspect of the invention. The administration menu screen  500  is only shown internally to a claims manager or system administrator. The administration menu screen  500  is used to maintain variables that are used in the claim audit rulebase, such as deductible items, expenses, pending reasons, state-specific data and geographic data. As shown in  FIG. 20 , the administration menu screen  500  includes a menu block  502  having an Administration sub-menu  504 , which is used to access various administrative screens. For example, the sub-menu  504  includes a link labeled Find/Delete claim  506 . The Find/Delete claim screen is used to delete claim records from the claim database when an invalid claim has been received. 
       FIG. 21  shows a flowchart illustrating a claim submission process  600  from the point of view of a servicer or other user of an automatic claim processing system according to the invention. In step  602 , the servicer logs onto a website providing access to the system. In step  604 , it is determined whether the servicer has a user ID and password. If not, then in step  606  the servicer contacts a system administrator to obtain an ID and password and then returns to step  602 . In step  608 , the servicer enters a user ID and password to gain access to the website. 
     Once the servicer has been properly identified to the system, then in step  610 , the mortgage insurance policy and covered property are identified. In step  612 , the servicer verifies information contained in pre-filled fields on a claim submission form. In step  614 , the servicer inputs data into the claim submission form, including: accrued interest, expenses, additional information relating to the claim, and deductible items. In step  616 , the system&#39;s claim audit rulebase determines, based upon an initial evaluation of the submitted data, whether it may be possible to mitigate loss by acquiring the distressed property. If so, then in step  618 , the servicer is informed that the insurer is considering acquisition of the distressed property, and in step  620 , the claim is automatically referred to a claim representative for followup. 
     In step  622 , the servicer views the adjusted claim amount, a list of audit adjustments and exceptions, and a projected settlement date, all of which are automatically calculated and displayed by the system. In step  624 , the servicer determines whether the adjusted claim amount calculated by the system is satisfactory. If not, then in step  626 , the servicer contacts a claim representative by e-mail or other suitable form of communication. In addition, the servicer may elect to submit a supplemental claim if, based upon the list of audit adjustments and exceptions generated by the system, it appears that it might be productive to do so. If in step  624 , the servicer is satisfied with the adjusted claim amount calculated by the system, the claim audit process is complete, and no further action is required by the servicer. 
       FIGS. 22A through 22C  show a sample rules table  700  according to an aspect of the invention setting forth rules that may suitably be used by the claim audit rulebase  32  shown in  FIG. 1 . The first table column  702  lists the rules used by the rulebase. The second column  704  sets forth, for each rule, a triggering factor, or factors, that cause the rule to be invoked. The third column  706  sets forth, for each rule, automatic logic to be used to process data when the rule has been invoked. The fourth column  708  shows a pseudo-code rendering for certain rules in the table  700 . 
       FIG. 23  shows a flowchart of an automated claims processing method  800  according to a further aspect of the invention, in which an automated claims system, such as the system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , receives claims submitted in bulk and without manual intervention. According to this aspect of the invention, transmission of claims files occurs on a predetermined schedule, for example, during evening hours. 
     In step  802 , the automated claims system receives an electronic feed (EDI) of bulk claims data from a centralized claim data repository service company, such as Alltel. Each claim within the electronic feed is identified by a unique key, or other suitable identifier. In step  804 , the bulk claims data received via EDI are stored in a sequential dataset in a claims file on a system mainframe computer, such as the loss mitigation mainframe system  34  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In step  806 , a mainframe job programmed to run automatically on a regular schedule looks for the presence of the claims file on the mainframe. In step  808 , the mainframe job invokes suitable software, such as Network Data Mover, to move the claims file into a local environment, such as a Unix environment. In step  810 , the Network Data Mover software executes Unix script, which uses Sybase-stored procedures to load the claims data into a claims database, such as database  30  in  FIG. 1 . 
     In step  812 , the system determines whether there have been any errors in loading the data into the claims database. If errors are detected, then in step  814 , the errors are brought to the attention of a systems support group using e-mail. In step  816 , the issues are resolved on the next business day, or at some other suitable time. 
     In step  818 , an executable file residing on a transaction server, such as the transaction server  26  shown in  FIG. 1 , runs and executes a Sybase-stored procedure to identify all claims that were loaded into the claims database in step  810 . The executable file is programmed to run on a regular schedule, similar to the run schedule of the mainframe job. As mentioned above, each claim is identified by a unique key. In step  820 , a claim audit rulebase, such as the claim audit rulebase  32  shown in  FIG. 1 , is run for each unique key. In step  822 , the claim audit rulebase updates the claims database with a claim status and audit results for each submitted claim. In step  824 , submitted claims are made available for viewing by servicers at a system website within minutes of the claims being loaded into the claims database. Access to claim information is limited to authorized persons through the use of passwords, or other suitable security measure. In step  826 , the system generates an automated e-mail message, informing the submitter when a claim has been received and an audit has been completed. 
     While the foregoing description includes details which will enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be recognized that the description is illustrative in nature and that many modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of these teachings. It is accordingly intended that the invention herein be defined solely by the claims appended hereto and that the claims be interpreted as broadly as permitted by the prior art.