Abstract:
A computer system includes a data storage device including a database containing data for insurance policies covering individuals, a communication device to exchange data with an employer&#39;s computer system, and a processor in communication with the data storage device and communication device. A non-transitory storage medium stores program instructions operative with the processor to receive an eligibility data file including data for individuals covered by personal insurance; transmit to the employer computer system a bill file including payroll deductions data for the insurance premiums; receive from the employer computer system a remit file including actual payroll deductions made data and individual leave status data; determine which individuals are on leave based on a verification of an insurance payment; adjust and store data indicative of the premiums associated with individuals determined on leave; and transmit to the employer a payroll deduction modification request for individuals determined to be on the leave.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patent application No. 12/951,594 entitled System and Method for Managing Electronic Accounts in Response to Disability Data, filed Nov. 22, 2010, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to computer systems used in connection with insurance operations. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many insurance policies are written directly to the individual policyholders; 
         [0004]    personal automobile insurance policies, homeowner&#39;s insurance policies and individual term and whole life insurance policies typically fall into this category. In other cases, insurance that personally benefits individuals may be provided in connection with group policies established as the result of cooperation between the insurance company and the employer of the covered individuals. Group life insurance policies and/or long term disability insurance coverage—often partially or entirely subsidized by the employer—are a typical example of the latter type of insurance policy. In some cases, there can be extensions to the relationship established between the insurer and the employees of a company that established a group insurance policy. For example, employees may sign up for individual, personal automobile insurance coverage and/or homeowner&#39;s coverage through a group program made available by their employer, with premiums paid to the insurer via deductions from the employees&#39; pay. 
         [0005]    The present inventors now disclose an improved method and system for increasing the attractiveness of employer-based insurance plans that personally benefit a company&#39;s employees and without burdening the employer. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An apparatus, method, computer system and computer-readable data storage medium are disclosed which include storing a database in a data storage device, where the database contains data relating to a number of insurance policies that cover insured individuals. 
         [0007]    The apparatus, method, computer system and computer-readable data storage medium further include receiving, via an input device, data that indicates the employment status for certain ones of the insured individuals. 
         [0008]    Still further, the apparatus, method, computer system and computer-readable data storage medium include adjusting, by use of a computer, data indicative one or more attributes of the insurance policies in response to the data that indicated the individuals&#39; employment status. 
         [0009]    In one application of the invention, the data indicates that some of the individuals are in a status such that they are disabled and on leave from work. In response to this data, the computer may reduce or suspend the individuals&#39; obligation to pay premiums on personal automobile insurance or homeowner&#39;s policies. This policy feature may be provided as part of a group program in which personal auto or homeowner&#39;s insurance is made available via the individuals&#39; employer, and may make the group program more attractive than programs offered by competing insurance companies. 
         [0010]    With these and other advantages and features of the invention that will become hereinafter apparent, the invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, the appended claims, and the drawings attached hereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an environment in which the present invention may be applied. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram that illustrates a server computer that is a component of the computer system of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a typical personal computer that may be used by an insurance company billing analyst in the system of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  together form a flow chart that illustrates a process that may be performed in accordance with aspects of the invention in the system of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows an example screen display that may be provided to a user by the system of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  together form a flow chart that illustrates an alternative process that may be performed in accordance with aspects of the invention in the system of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  graphically illustrates an exchange of data files that may occur between an insurance company and an employer in the system of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    In general, and for the purposes of introducing concepts of embodiments of the present invention, a computer system to administrate an insurance policy—such as a personal automobile insurance policy or a homeowner&#39;s insurance policy—may provide that the policyholder&#39;s obligation to pay premiums may be reduced or waived during periods when the policyholder is on a disability leave from his/her employment. This system feature may be particularly applicable to situations in which the coverage is paid for via payroll deductions in connection with a group program made available by the policyholder&#39;s employer. Automatic exchange of data between the employer and the insurance company may help to alert the insurance company of the occurrence of disability leave status for policyholders and may prompt the insurance company to waive or reduce premiums in those cases. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  schematically shows aspects of an insurance business. As is customary, the insurance company in question operates one or more central computers, including server computer  102  shown in  FIG. 1 . Other computers deployed in the insurance company may include personal/notebook computers assigned to individual employees, including the computer indicated by reference numeral  104 . One function that may be performed by the computer  104  is displaying data  106  that has been downloaded to the computer  104  from the server computer  102  via a communication path  108 . 
         [0021]    The server computer  102  may also exchange information with other parties, including for example employers that make available group insurance programs issued by the insurance company. This exchange of information may occur via private and/or public data communication networks, including the Internet (reference numeral  110 ). Such plans may, for example, provide homeowner&#39;s coverage for employees who are owners of residential properties  112 ; or may provide personal automobile insurance coverage for employees who are owners of motor vehicles  114 . The employees may work in a factory  116  or other facility operated by their employer. 
         [0022]    Still further, the insurance company may have contractual or other relationships with numerous independent insurance agencies that place and provide services for policies written by the insurance company. Thus the server computer  102  may engage in data communication with computers  118  operated by the company&#39;s agents. As indicated at  120 , the insurance agent computer  118  includes a screen display by which the agent can view information downloaded to the insurance agent computer  118  from the insurance company server computer  102 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system  200  provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
         [0024]    Block  202  in  FIG. 2  represents a server computer that is part of the computer system  200 . The computer  202  may be operated by an insurance company for the purposes of performing administrative functions relative to insurance policies issued by the insurance company. (For example, the computer  202 —which may hereinafter be referred to as the “policy administration server computer”—may correspond to the computer  102  shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0025]    Reference numeral  203  in  FIG. 2  represents the Internet or other public or private data communications network. The policy administration server computer  202  may be coupled to the data communication network  203 , to allow the policy administration server computer  202  to communicate with other components of the system  200 . 
         [0026]    The computer system  200 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , may also include a personal computer  206 . The personal computer may be assigned to a billing analyst employee of the insurance company and may be coupled to the data communication network  203 . For example, the personal computer may be operated by the billing analyst and interact via the data communication network  203  with the policy administration server computer  202 . (Although only one personal computer  206  is shown in the drawing, in practice the system  200  may include numerous computers of this kind. The personal computer  206  may hereinafter be referred to as a “billing analyst computer”). 
         [0027]    In addition, the computer system  200  may include a server computer  208  that is operated by an employer of individuals covered under a group insurance program offered by the insurance company. The computer  208  may be operated in connection with functions relating to the employer&#39;s payroll operations. The computer  208  may also be coupled to the data communication network  203  to permit data communication between the computer  208  and one or more other components of the system  200 . 
         [0028]    Also shown in  FIG. 2  is a personal computer  210  that is owned by an individual policyholder employed by the employer that operates the computer  208 . The policyholder computer  210  may be coupled to the data communication network  203 , and may for example receive electronic notices transmitted from time to time by the policy administration server computer  202 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram representation of the policy administration server computer  202 . The policy administration server computer  202  may be conventional in terms of its hardware aspects. 
         [0030]    As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the policy administration server computer  202  includes a processing module  302 , which may be constituted by one or more conventional computer processors. The policy administration server computer  202  may also incorporate a policy administration module  304 . The policy administration module  304  may operate in many respects in a conventional manner, but may also implement aspects of the present invention, as described herein. The policy administration module  304  may be implemented at least in part in conjunction with the processing module  302  in combination with suitable software program instructions. 
         [0031]    The policy administration server computer  202  further includes a premium adjustment module  306 . The premium adjustment module  306  may operate, with other components of the policy administration server computer  202  and/or of the system  200 , to reduce or waive personal insurance policy premiums for individual policyholders who are on a disability leave status with their employer, in accordance with principles of the present invention. The premium adjustment module  306  may be constituted, at least in part, by the processing module  302  in combination with suitable software program instructions. Aspects of the software program instructions for the premium adjustment module  306  will be described below. 
         [0032]    Still further, the policy administration server computer  202  includes one or more storage devices, represented by item  308  in  FIG. 3 . The storage devices  308  are coupled for data communication with the processing module  302  and may comprise any appropriate information storage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices (e.g., magnetic tape and hard disk drives), optical storage devices, and/or semiconductor memory devices (such as Random Access Memory (RAM) devices and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices). At least some of these devices may be considered computer-readable storage media, or may include such media. The storage devices  308  may store the above-mentioned software program instructions and/or other program instructions to control the processing module  302  such that the policy administration server computer  202  provides desired functionality, as described herein. Thus, the storage devices  308  store one or more programs for controlling the processing module  302 . The processing module  302  performs instructions of the programs, and thereby operates in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In some embodiments, the programs may include one or more conventional operating systems. The programs may further include application programs such as a conventional data communication program and a conventional database management program. The programs stored in the storage devices  308  may also include conventional web hosting software. 
         [0033]    The storage devices  308  may also store one or more databases, including for example a database (not separately shown) that contains insurance policy data for a universe of insurance policies, including policies with premium reduction and/or premium waiver riders, as described below. 
         [0034]    Continuing to refer to  FIG. 3 , the policy administration server computer  202  may further include one or more communication devices  310  coupled to the processing module  302 . The communication devices  310  may function to facilitate communication with, for example, other devices (such as the employer computer  208 — FIG. 2 , or the billing analyst computer  206 ). As such, the communication devices  310  may also serve as input devices in the sense that the communication devices  310  may allow for input of data from other devices into the policy administration server computer  202 . For example, the communication devices  310  may receive data files from employers that offer group insurance programs, as described below. 
         [0035]    In addition, the policy administration server computer  202  may include one or more input devices  312  such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse or other pointing device, a microphone, knob or a switch, an infra-red (IR) port, a docking station and/or a touch screen. The input device(s)  312  may be coupled to the processing module  302 . 
         [0036]    Still further the policy administration server computer  202  may include one or more output devices  314 , such as a display (e.g., a display screen), a speaker, and/or a printer. The output devices  314  may also be coupled to the processing module  302 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram representation of a typical embodiment of the billing analyst computer  206  shown in  FIG. 2 . The billing analyst computer  206  may be conventional in terms of its hardware aspects. The billing analyst computer  206  may also be essentially conventional in its software aspects, except that via a browser it may provide functionality in accordance with aspects of the present invention as disclosed herein. 
         [0038]    As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the billing analyst computer  206  includes a data bus  401 . The billing analyst computer  206  also includes a computer processor (CPU)  400  which is operatively coupled to the data bus  401  and which may be constituted by one or more conventional processors. The billing analyst computer  206  further includes a network interface unit  402 , system memory  403 , one or more storage devices  404 , and an input/output controller  406 , all of which are also operatively coupled to the data bus  401 . 
         [0039]    The network interface unit  402  may function to facilitate communication with, for example, other devices (such as the policy administration server computer  202 ). The input/output controller  406  may couple the billing analyst computer  206  to input and output devices (not shown) such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse or other pointing device, a microphone, knob or a switch, an infra-red (IR) port, a docking station, a touch screen, a display (e.g., a display screen), a speaker, and/or a printer. The display and/or input devices are represented by block  407  and may, e.g., include a flat panel display or other display device for presenting screen displays to the user of the billing analyst computer  206 . 
         [0040]    The system memory  403  may be constituted by, for example, a suitable combination of Random Access Memory (RAM) devices  408  and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices  410 . 
         [0041]    Storage devices  404  may comprise any appropriate information storage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices (e.g., magnetic tape and hard disk drives), optical storage devices, and/or semiconductor memory devices. At least some of these devices (and/or all or part of the system memory  403 ) may be considered computer-readable storage media, or may include such media. 
         [0042]    Storage devices  404  store one or more programs (at least some of which being indicated by blocks  412 ,  414 ) for controlling CPU  400 . CPU  400  performs instructions of the programs, and thereby operates in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In some embodiments, the programs may include one or more conventional operating systems, indicated by block  414  in  FIG. 4 . The programs may further include application programs (block  412 ) such as a conventional data communication program and a conventional browser. The application programs  412  may, for example, include a conventional electronic mail program and a conventional database management program. 
         [0043]    There may also be stored in the storage devices  404  other software, such as device drivers, etc. 
         [0044]    Still further, the storage devices  404  may store one or more databases (block  416 ) for storing and managing the data relating to operation of the billing analyst computer  206 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  together form a flow chart that illustrates a process that may be performed in accordance with aspects of the invention in the system  200 . 
         [0046]    At  502  in  FIG. 5A , the insurance company receives a request for adjustment of the premium for personal insurance coverage provided to an employee of a corporation (the “employer”) that makes available to its employees a group program offered by the insurance company. The insurance company may receive the request from the employer. The reason for the employer submitting the request may be that the employee has just been placed on leave from his/her employment because he/she is disabled from working. The request may, in some embodiments, relate to personal automobile insurance coverage provided to the insured/employee by the insurance company. The insurance coverage may contain a rider that provides that the insured individual&#39;s premiums will be reduced (e.g., partially waived) by a predetermined amount during periods in which the insured is disabled. The request submitted at  502  may be for reduction of the employee&#39;s personal automobile insurance premium pursuant to the rider. 
         [0047]    The insurance company may offer this rider at no charge as an additional attractive feature of the group program offered through the employer. In underwriting terms, it may make good business sense for the insurance company to offer this rider because on average it is likely that the employee will tend to drive his/her automobile less during a period of disability. For example, a large part of the use of the automobile typically may have been for commuting to work, which will not occur during the period of disability. Alternatively, there may be a charge for the rider. 
         [0048]    Referring again to  FIG. 5A , at  504  information is gathered to assemble a file relative to the request received at  502 . This may occur automatically via the policy administration server computer  202  and/or may represent activities undertaken by a billing analyst to whom the request is assigned. This may involve gathering various file components related to the request, including information about the insured individual and the individual&#39;s enrollment history. 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  shows an example screen display that may be provided to a user (e.g., an insured individual) to initiate the process of FIGS.  5 A/ 5 B. The screen display of  FIG. 6  may be provided to the insured individual via the display component of the insured individual&#39;s computer  210  shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, this screen display may be downloaded from the policy administration server computer  202  to the insured individual&#39;s computer  210  via the browser in the insured individual&#39;s computer  210 . 
         [0050]    At  506 , the billing analyst may perform a review as to whether the insured individual is entitled to the requested reduction in premium. For example, the billing analyst may determine whether the insured individual falls into a class of insureds who are eligible for premium reduction, whether the insured individual was properly enrolled under the premium reduction rider, whether the insured individual meets any applicable age limit, and whether the insured individual&#39;s personal automobile insurance policy was in force as of the last day the individual worked before entering his/her disability leave. 
         [0051]    Following block  506  is a decision block  508 . At decision block  508 , it is determined whether the individual insured is eligible for a premium reduction under the rider. This determination may be made, for example, based on the information gathered and considered at  504  and  506 . If a positive determination is made at decision block  508  (i.e., if it is determined that the insured individual is eligible for a premium reduction), then the process of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  advances from decision block  508  to block  510 . At block  510 , the billing analyst verifies that the rider covers the insured individual. In addition, the billing analyst may obtain medical information concerning the insured individual. 
         [0052]    Decision block  512  follows block  510 . At decision block  512 , it is determined whether the insured individual is totally disabled (i.e., is unable to perform any work, whether full-time or part-time). If a positive determination is made at decision block  512  (i.e., if it is determined that the insured individual is totally disabled), then the process of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  advances from decision block  512  in  FIG. 5A  to block  514  in  FIG. 5B . 
         [0053]    At block  514 , the request for premium reduction is approved and the request file is entered into a diary file for reconsideration/re-certification after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the review of the request for premium reduction and/or the reconsideration/re-certification may include verifying that the insured individual is in fact receiving payments under his/her disability insurance coverage. In this way, the process for considering/reconsidering the premium reduction may rely on the disability claim processing outcome arrived at by the disability coverage provider. In some embodiments, the disability coverage provider may be a different insurance company from the insurer that is providing the personal automobile coverage. In this case, the policy administration server computer  202  may engage in an automatic exchange of information with a computer operated by the disability coverage provider to determine whether the insured individual&#39;s disability claim is being paid. There may be a similar exchange of information even in a case where the auto insurer is also the disability insurer, if a separate computer from the policy administration server computer  202  is administrating disability claim handling. In addition or alternatively, the policy administration server computer  202  may receive information about disability status or claim payments from a payroll services contractor retained by the employer of the insured individual, or from the insured individual himself/herself. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the premium reduction/waiver may be applied for no more than a limited period of time, say six months or one year. 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, reconsideration/re-certification may include determining whether a scheduled ending date for the disability status has arrived, and then terminating the premium reduction/waiver if that date has arrived. 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, if the insured individual&#39;s employment terminates, the disability status and the premium reduction/waiver may also terminate. 
         [0058]    Block  516  follows block  514 . At block  516 , notification that the request for premium reduction has been approved is sent out. This may be done by either or both of electronic mail and postal mail, and may involve sending the notification to either or both of the insured individual and the employer. If the approval notification to the insured individual is in electronic form, it may prompt the insured individual to provide input (e.g., by clicking a virtual “verify” button) to verify his/her disability status. 
         [0059]    Block  518  follows block  516 . At block  518 , suitable data is entered/stored in the policy administration server computer  202  such that the premium reduction is implemented for the insured individual&#39;s personal automobile insurance coverage. In some cases this may result in a reduction of the amounts of future bills for the premium, and/or in a partial refund to the insured individual of premium amounts already paid. 
         [0060]    If the insured individual has been paying for the premium by deductions from the individual&#39;s pay, then block  520  may follow block  518  in  FIG. 5B . At block  520  the policy administration server computer  202  may take action to change the deduction activity relative to the individual&#39;s pay. For example, the individual may no longer receive a paycheck while he/she is on disability leave, so that deductions for premium payments for the individual&#39;s personal automobile insurance coverage may be interrupted, and the policy administration server computer  202  may proceed with billing the individual directly for the reduced premium. In some embodiments, if the individual has paid in advance for the premium that is subject to reduction, then the individual may receive a credit against future premiums or a refund to reflect the amount of the reduction. 
         [0061]    Referring again to decision block  508  in  FIG. 5A , if a negative determination is made at that decision block (i.e., if it is determined that the insured individual is not eligible for a premium reduction), then the process may advance from decision block  508  to block  522  in  FIG. 5A . At block  522 , the request for a premium reduction is denied. Then, block  524  follows block  522 . At block  524 , the insurance company sends out a notification that the premium reduction is denied. As in the case of block  516 , the notification may be by electronic mail and/or postal mail, and may be sent to the employer and/or the insured individual. 
         [0062]    Referring again to decision block  512  in  FIG. 5A , if a negative determination is made at that decision block (i.e., if it is determined that the insured individual is not totally disabled), then the process may advance from decision block  512  to blocks  522  and  524  as described in the previous paragraph. 
         [0063]    In the process of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , actions described therein, including actions performed by the billing analyst, may in some embodiments be at least partially performed automatically by a computer such as the policy administration server computer  202 . This may be done, for example, by a software-programmed expert system that has been designed to gather, assess and make determinations concerning, premium reduction request files. In other words, in some embodiments, the process of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  may be partially or entirely automated. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  together form a flow chart that illustrates an alternative process that may be performed in accordance with aspects of the invention in the system  200 . One possible difference between the respective processes of FIGS.  5 A/ 5 B and of FIGS.  7 A/ 7 B is that in the latter, the insurance company may automatically generate a premium reduction request for the insured/disabled individual based on reports of new disability benefit claims received by the insurance company from the employer. That is, in the process of FIGS.  7 A/ 7 B, the insurance company may itself initiate the premium reduction process instead of the process being initiated by a request submitted by the employer as in the process of  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
         [0065]    Turning then to  FIG. 7A , at  702 , the insurance company (e.g., via the policy administration server computer  202 ) may automatically parse the report of disability claims received from the employer and may generate premium reduction requests for each newly disabled employee who appears in the disability claim report. For each premium reduction request so generated, block  704  may follow block  702 . At  704  the new premium reduction request is entered into the request handling system and assigned to a billing analyst. 
         [0066]    Block  706  (eligibility review) then follows block  704 . Block  706  may be substantially the same as block  506  as described above in connection with  FIG. 5A . 
         [0067]    Block  708  then follows block  706 . At block  708 , for example, the billing analyst may review the insured individual&#39;s disability claim file, and may request further information if needed based on the review of the disability claim file. 
         [0068]    Decision block  710  follows block  708  in the process of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . Decision block  710  may be the same as decision block  508  as described above in connection with  FIG. 5A . If a positive determination is made at decision block  710 , the process of FIGS.  7 A/ 7 B may advance from decision block  710  to block  712 . Block  712  may be the same as the block  510  described above in connection with  FIG. 5A . 
         [0069]    In some cases, block  714  may follow block  712  in the process of FIGS. 
         [0070]      7 A/ 7 B. At block  714 , the billing analyst may, if appropriate, review documentation prepared by the medical case manager for the insured individual&#39;s disability case. If necessary the billing analyst may consult with the medical case manager to determine the insured individual&#39;s functional limitations. 
         [0071]    In the process of FIGS.  7 A/ 7 B, decision block  716  may follow block  712  or  714 , as the case may be. Decision block  716  may be the same as the decision block  512  described above in connection with  FIG. 5A . If a positive determination is made at decision block  716 , then blocks  718 ,  720 ,  722  and  724  (all shown in  FIG. 7B ) may follow decision block  716 . Blocks  718 - 724  may be the same as the blocks  514 - 520  as described above in connection with  FIG. 5B . 
         [0072]    Referring again to decision block  710  in  FIG. 7A , if a negative determination is made at that decision block, then blocks  726  and  728  in  FIG. 7A  may follow decision block  710 . Blocks  726  and  728  may be the same as the blocks  522  and  524  as described above in connection with  FIG. 5A . 
         [0073]    Referring again to decision block  716  in  FIG. 7A , if a negative determination is made at that decision block, then blocks  726  and  728  may follow decision block  716 . 
         [0074]    As was the case with the process of FIGS.  5 A/ 5 B, in the process of FIGS.  7 A/ 7 B, some or all of the activities that are performed in some implementations by the billing analyst may alternatively be automated in other implementations. 
         [0075]    One advantage of the process of FIGS.  7 A/ 7 B is that the premium reduction/waiver program may be implemented without imposing any burden on, or requiring any changes in procedure by, the employer of the insured individual. 
         [0076]      FIG. 8  graphically illustrates an exchange of data files that may occur between an insurance company and an employer in the system  200 . This exchange of data may underlie the automated generation of premium reduction requests as in the process of FIGS.  7 A/ 7 B. 
         [0077]    At  802 , an “eligibility” data file is transmitted from the employer to the insurance company. This may be done at regular intervals, such as weekly. This file may originate from the internal payroll department or outside payroll administrator for the employer. (As indicated at  804 , a payroll consolidation contractor may be an intermediary for one or more of the data exchanges between the employer and the insurance company). 
         [0078]    The eligibility data file  802  may include employee identification information/ID numbers as well as the names and addresses of the employees. The payroll cycle applicable to each employee may also be identified. The file may verify the employees&#39; status as employees at the time of the effectiveness of a group insurance program and/or at the time of renewal of such a program. The eligibility data file  802  may also provide background for a prospective payroll deduction for the employees. 
         [0079]    At  806 , the insurance company transmits a “bill” file to the employer. A purpose of the bill file  806  is to request payroll deductions from employees&#39; pay to fund premium payments by the employees for insurance coverage provided by the insurance company. For example, the premiums deducted from the employees&#39; pay may be for either or both of personal automobile insurance and homeowner&#39;s insurance. For each relevant employee, the insurance company calculates the appropriate amount of the deduction and inserts that amount in the bill file  806 . The insurance company sends the bill file  806  at an appropriate time before the next payroll cycle to which the file  806  pertains. A separate bill file may be sent for each payroll cycle that is in effect for the employer (e.g., weekly, semi-monthly and/or monthly payroll cycles). 
         [0080]    At  808 , the employer transmits a “remit” file to the insurance company. This may be done shortly after each payroll cycle and may reflect the deductions made from the employees&#39; pay in the payroll cycle. In particular, the remit file may include the employee identification numbers, amounts deducted and a status code for each employee. The status code may, for example, indicate whether the employee is on a disability leave of absence or on another type of leave. From these codes (e.g., from a change in status to “on disability”), the policy administration server computer  202  may initiate premium reduction requests, as described in connection with  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In addition, the insurance company may post the remitted deduction amounts as premium payments, and may look into any discrepancies with the employer. 
         [0081]    In the above discussion of  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  7 A and  7 B, a premium reduction rider was described. Alternatively, however, a rider may be provided to completely waive the premium during periods in which the insured is on disability leave. In some embodiments, there may be a separate charge for this rider. 
         [0082]    The above description discusses premium reduction or waiver with respect to premiums for personal automobile insurance coverage. In addition or alternatively, such a premium reduction or waiver rider may be applied to one or more of homeowner&#39;s insurance, renter&#39;s insurance, condo insurance, umbrella liability policies, motorcycle insurance, boat insurance, golf cart insurance, snowmobile insurance and offroad vehicle insurance. It may be feasible to provide a premium waiver rider without charge for homeowner&#39;s insurance premiums, if studies show that the presence of disabled insured individuals at their homes may tend to reduce the frequency and/or severity of claims due to burglary, fire, water damage, etc. 
         [0083]    The operation of premium reduction or waiver riders has been described in the context of group plans, including those paid for by payroll deductions. However, premium reduction or waiver riders may also be applied, in accordance with the invention, to personal automobile and/or homeowner&#39;s policies that are billed directly to the insured and/or which are not provided through group programs. 
         [0084]    In embodiments described above, the premium for an insurance policy was reduced or waived for periods when the insured was on disability leave. In addition or alternatively, other policy terms besides the premium due may be modified in case the insured is disabled. For example, the policy liability limit and/or deductibles may be raised or lowered in such circumstances. As used in the present disclosure and the pending claims, the term “attribute” as applied to an insurance policy includes the premiums charged, before or after any waiver or reduction, and other policy terms such as liability limit or deductibles. 
         [0085]    Above-described embodiments have provided that policy terms, such as the amount of premium due, may be modified for periods when the insured is on disability leave. However, the same may alternatively occur during other periods of absence from work, such as maternity or paternity leave. In some embodiments, the insurance policy term modification may apply only for periods when the insured is confined to a hospital or rehabilitation facility. In some embodiments, the insurance policy term modification may apply only to certain types of injuries and/or illnesses. 
         [0086]    In some embodiments, a GPS tracking device or the like may be installed on the insured individual&#39;s car to confirm that usage of the covered vehicle is actually decreased. In the event that the usage does not decrease, the premium reduction or waiver may be withdrawn. 
         [0087]    Where disability claims or status are referred to herein, the same may be long-term disability or short-term disability. In some embodiments, the amount of premium reduction/waiver or other change in attributes of the insurance policy may depend on whether the disability status is long term or short term. More generally, the type and/or degree of policy attribute adjustment, if any, may depend on the type of change in employment status. 
         [0088]    Processes portrayed herein as being performed by one computer may in practice be divided among two or more computers. Processes portrayed herein as being performed by two or more computers may in practice be performed by a single computer. The process descriptions and flow charts contained herein should not be considered to imply a fixed order for performing process steps. Rather, process steps may be performed in any order that is practicable. 
         [0089]    As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “adjusting” includes any change in an attribute of an insurance policy or in data that represents the attribute. 
         [0090]    As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “computer” refers to a single computer or to two or more computers in communication with each other and/or operated by a single organization or by two or more organizations that are partly or entirely under common ownership and/or control. 
         [0091]    As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “processor” refers to one processor or two or more processors that are in communication with each other. 
         [0092]    As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “memory” refers to one, two or more memory and/or data storage devices. 
         [0093]    The present invention has been described in terms of several embodiments solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled in the art will recognize from this description that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but may be practiced with modifications and alterations limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.