Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system for processing insurance benefit agreements for providing automobile insurance against loss for damaged cars, consisting of a first computer that is used by a repairer who repairs damaged cars, and a second computer that is connected to the first computer via a communication channel and used by an automobile insurance company, wherein the first computer comprises data inputting means, repair expenses estimation data generating means, first transmitting means for transmitting agreement data to the second computer, and first receiving means for receiving agreement determination data from the second computer, and the second computer comprises second receiving means for receiving the agreement data from the first computer, second storing means, payment standard for repairers determining means, and second transmitting means. In accordance with the present invention, since accident investigation conventionally conducted by an adjuster is unnecessary, costs of an insurance company can be reduced and insurance products with low insurance premiums can be established.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a system for processing insurance benefit agreements for providing automobile insurance against loss for damaged vehicles.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    In order to have insurance money of an automobile insurance against loss paid for repairs of a damage car, a repairer of the car estimates repair expenses and a non-life insurance company (hereinafter referred to as an “insurance company”) must agree to the estimate determining that it is appropriate. Such an agreement is generally called an insurance agreement.  
           [0005]    An estimation apparatus has been proposed that utilizes a computer with respect to the above-mentioned estimate of repair expenses for a damaged car by the repairer, and it is becoming possible to prepare an estimate for repair expenses with high objectivity and reliability in a short time.  
           [0006]    On the other hand, an insurance company has been making an adjuster to investigate an accident and damage conditions of a damaged car and the like to determine whether the estimate prepared by the repairer is appropriate based on a report from the adjuster.  
           [0007]    However, the above-mentioned conventional estimation apparatus has such problems as follows. That is, since a period of at least a few days is necessary including an investigation period required by the adjuster in order to conclude the above-mentioned agreement, there is a problem that repair of the damaged car cannot be commenced during that period. In addition, it is necessary to confirm the intention of the owner of the damaged car as well based on results of the insurance agreement.  
           [0008]    Further, costs required for the above-mentioned investigation by the adjuster causes increase of expenses, which makes it difficult to decrease expenses of the insurance company. Therefore, although it is necessary to decrease insurance premiums in view of intensifying competitions in the non-life insurance industry due to deregulation of insurance premiums and the like in line with such as the recent financial liberalization for competition, there has been a limit for insurance companies to decrease insurance premiums.  
           [0009]    Moreover, since conditions set from the standpoint of the insurance company side are indiscriminately established as a payment standard concerning insurance benefits (payment of insurance money, provision of services and the like), automobile owners (policyholders) are often dissatisfied with payments.  
           [0010]    Thus, it is considered necessary, for insurance companies to maintain and acquire customers, to abolish such a custom and strengthen cooperative relationship between insurance companies and automobile repairers having excellent technical and commercial abilities by establishing a payment standard that is acceptable for the three parties; insurance companies, repairers and policyholders.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    A first aspect of the present invention is an insurance benefit agreement processing system comprising a first computer for use by a repairer repairing a damaged vehicle and a second computer for use by an automobile insurance company that is connected to the first computer via a communication channel, wherein the first computer comprises: data inputting means; repair expenses estimation data generating means; first transmitting means for transmitting agreement data to the second computer; and first receiving means for receiving agreement determination data from the second computer, and the second computer comprises: second receiving means for receiving the agreement data from the first computer; second storing means; payment standard for repairers determining means; and second transmitting means.  
           [0012]    The data inputting means inputs image data of a damaged vehicle, vehicle type specifying data for specifying a type of the damaged vehicle, damaged part data for specifying damaged parts, and damage degree data for specifying a damaged degree (a damage level)  
           [0013]    The repair expenses estimation data generating means generates repair expenses estimation data based on the image data, the vehicle type specifying data, and the damaged part data inputted by the data inputting means.  
           [0014]    The agreement data consists of the image data, vehicle type specifying data, and the damaged part data inputted by the data inputting means, as well as the repair expenses estimation data generated by the repair expenses estimation data generating means.  
           [0015]    The agreement determination data indicates whether or not the agreement data transmitted to the second computer by the first transmitting means is appropriate.  
           [0016]    The second storing means stores a payment conditions for repairers database regulating a payment standard for the repairer who uses the first computer.  
           [0017]    The payment standard for repairers determining means determines whether or not the agreement data received by the second receiving means is appropriate in light of the payment conditions for repairers database stored in the second storing means.  
           [0018]    The second transmitting means transmits data indicating results determined by the payment standard for repairers determining means to the first computer.  
           [0019]    In addition, a second aspect of the present invention is an insurance benefit agreement processing system comprising a first computer for use by a repairer repairing a damaged vehicle and a second computer for use by an automobile insurance company that is connected to the first computer via a communication channel, wherein the first computer comprises: data inputting means; first repair expenses estimation data generating means; first transmitting means for transmitting agreement data to the second computer; damage inappropriate data receiving means; repair expenses estimation inappropriate data receiving means; payment standard inappropriate data receiving means; and payment standard appropriate data receiving means, and the second computer comprises: receiving means for receiving the agreement data from the first computer; displaying means for displaying images; display instructing means; second storing means; damage determination data inputting means; damage inappropriate data transmitting means; second repair expenses estimation data generating means; repair expenses estimation data comparing means; repair expenses estimation inappropriate data transmitting means; payment standard for repairers determining means; payment standard inappropriate data transmitting means; and payment standard appropriate data transmitting means.  
           [0020]    The data inputting means inputs image data of a damaged vehicle, the vehicle type specifying data for specifying a type of the damaged vehicle, damaged part data for specifying damaged parts, and damage degree data for specifying a damaged degree.  
           [0021]    The first repair expenses estimation data generating means generates first repair expenses estimation data based on the image data, vehicle type specifying data, and the damaged part data inputted by the data inputting means.  
           [0022]    The agreement data consists of the image data, vehicle type specifying data, the damaged part data, and the damage degree data inputted by the data inputting means, as well as the first repair expenses estimation data generated by the first repair expenses estimation data generating means.  
           [0023]    The damage inappropriate data receiving means receives, if the damaged part data or the damage degree data inputted by the data inputting means is not appropriate, damage inappropriate data indicating to that effect from the second computer.  
           [0024]    The repair expenses estimation inappropriate data receiving means receives, if the damaged part data and the damage degree data inputted by the data inputting means are appropriate but the first repair expenses estimation data generated by the first repair expenses estimation data generating means is not appropriate, repair expenses estimation inappropriate data indicating to that effect, from the second computer.  
           [0025]    The payment standard inappropriate data receiving means receives, if the damaged part data and the damage degree data inputted by the data inputting means as well as the first repair expenses estimation data generated by the first repair expenses estimation data generating means are appropriate, but the first repair expenses estimation data generated by the first repair expenses estimation data generating means does not meet the payment standard for the repairer using the first computer, payment standard inappropriate data indicating to that effect and contents of the payment standard that is not met, from the second computer.  
           [0026]    The payment standard appropriate data receiving means receives, if the damaged part data and the damage degree data inputted by the data inputting means as well as the first repair expenses estimation data generated by the first repair expenses estimation data generating means are appropriate, and the first repair expenses estimation data generated by the first repair expenses estimation data generating means meets the payment standard for the repairer using the first computer, payment standard inappropriate data indicating to that effect, from the second computer.  
           [0027]    The display instructing means causes the display means to display images based on the agreement data received by the receiving means.  
           [0028]    The second storing means stores a payment condition for repairers database regulating a payment standard for the repairer who uses the first computer.  
           [0029]    The damage determining data inputting means inputs damage determination data indicating whether or not the damaged part data and the damage degree data in the agreement data received by the receiving means are appropriate.  
           [0030]    The damage inappropriate data transmitting means transmits, if the damage determination data is the data indicating that the damaged part data and the damage degree data in the agreement data received by the receiving means are not appropriate, damage inappropriate data indicating to that effect to the first computer.  
           [0031]    The second repair expenses estimation data generating means generates the second repair expenses estimation data based on the vehicle type specifying data, the damaged part data and the damage degree data in the agreement data received by the receiving means if the damage determination data is the data indicating that the damaged part data and the damage degree data in the agreement data received by the receiving means are appropriate.  
           [0032]    The repair expenses estimation data comparing means compares the second repair expenses estimation data generated by the second repair expenses estimation data generating means with the first repair expenses estimation data in the agreement received by the receiving means, and determines whether the first repair expenses estimation data is appropriate.  
           [0033]    The repair expenses estimation inappropriate data transmitting means transmits, if the first repair expenses estimation data is determined to be not appropriate by the repair expenses estimation data comparing means, repair expenses estimation inappropriate data notifying to that effect to the first computer.  
           [0034]    The payment standard for repairers determining means determines whether or not contents of the first repair expenses estimation data meet the payment standard for the repairer using the first computer in light of the payment conditions for repairers database stored by the second storing means if the first repair expenses estimation data is determined to be appropriate by the repair expenses estimation data comparing means.  
           [0035]    The payment standard inappropriate data transmitting means transmits, if the contents of the first repair expenses estimation data are determined not to meet the payment standard for the repairer using the first computer by the payment standard for repairers determining means, payment standard inappropriate data indicating to that effect and contents of the payment standard that is not met, to the first computer.  
           [0036]    The payment standard appropriate data transmitting means transmits, if the contents of first repair expenses estimation data are determined to meet the payment standard for the repairer using the first computer by the payment standard for repairers determining means, payment standard appropriate data indicating to that effect to the first computer.  
           [0037]    According to the present invention, since accident investigation conventionally conducted by an adjuster is unnecessary, costs of an insurance company can be reduced and insurance products with low insurance premiums can be established. In addition, since a payment standard can be flexibly set for each repairer, cooperative relationship between an insurance company and repairers can be easily maintained and reinforced. Moreover, since agreement is promptly concluded after estimation data is prepared and a repairer can commence repairs earlier, a net working rate of a repair shop can be increased.  
           [0038]    Further, the first computer can comprise a first storing means for storing a payment conditions for insurance companies database regulating payment conditions for each insurance company using the second computer, and payment standard for insurance companies determining means for determining whether or not the repair expenses estimation data meets a payment standard for an insurance company to be another party of communication in light of the payment conditions for insurance companies database stored in the first storing means.  
           [0039]    In this way, since a repairer can confirm the repair expenses estimation data in light of the payment standard of a particular insurance company (an insurance company to which an owner of a damaged vehicle requesting repairs holds a policy), expectation that the insurance expenses estimation data to be transmitted to the insurance company is accepted by the insurance company can be increased, and an insurance agreement can be concluded more rapidly.  
           [0040]    In addition, since procedures until the conclusion of the insurance agreement can be easily grasped by both the computer of the repairer and the computer of the insurance company, contents of the procedures can be explained to a policyholder (the owner of the damaged vehicle) accurately and easily.  
           [0041]    Here, the communication channel is a general public line and the like, and the data inputting means and the damage determination data inputting means are a mouse, a keyboard and the like. In addition, the data inputting means includes data transmitting means and the like for transmitting data from photographing means such as a digital camera.  
           [0042]    Further, the repair expenses estimation data generating means, the first repair expenses estimation data generating means, the second repair expenses estimation data generating means, the payment standard for repairers determining means, the payment standard for insurance companies determining means and the repair expenses estimation data comparing means are CPUs (Central Processing Units) and the like.  
           [0043]    Moreover, the transmitting means, the first transmitting means, the second transmitting means, the receiving means, the first receiving means, the second receiving means, the damage inappropriate data receiving means, the repair expenses estimation inappropriate data receiving means, the payment standard inappropriate data receiving means, the payment standard appropriate data receiving means, the damage inappropriate data transmitting means, the repair expenses estimation inappropriate data transmitting means, the payment standard inappropriate data transmitting means and the payment standard appropriate data transmitting means are modems and the like.  
           [0044]    Furthermore, the first storing means and the second storing means are hard discs and the like, the displaying means is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a liquid crystal display and the like, and the display instructing means is a CRT controller and the like. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0045]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent during the following discussion in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an insurance benefit agreement processing system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a repairer computer of FIG. 1;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an insurance company computer of FIG. 1;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing control processing executed in a control unit of FIG. 2; and  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing control processing executed in a control unit of FIG. 3. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0051]    An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 1 shows an insurance benefit agreement processing system  10  in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the insurance benefit agreement processing system  10  is composed of a communication channel C 1 , and a repairer computer  20  and an insurance company computer  40  that are mutually connected via the communication channel C 1 . The communication channel C 1  is a communication channel such as a public line network and a private line network. The repairer computer  20  is a personal computer and the like to be used by a repairer for a damaged car. In addition, the insurance company computer  40  is a personal computer and the like to be used by an automobile non-life insurance company.  
         [0053]    The repairer computer  20  will now be described.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of the repairer computer  20 . In FIG. 2, the repairer computer  20  is composed of a mouse  21 , a keyboard  22 , a digital camera  23 , a display apparatus  24 , and a computer main body  30 . In addition, the computer main body  30  is composed of a mouse interface  301 , a keyboard interface  302 , an infrared ray interface  303 , a communication interface  304 , a memory for display  305 , a display apparatus interface  306 , a storage apparatus interface  308 , a main memory  309  and a control unit  310  mutually connected via a bus B 1 , and a storage apparatus  307  connected to the bus B 1  via the storage apparatus interface  308 .  
         [0055]    In addition, the mouse  21  is connected to the bus B 1  via the mouse interface  301 . The keyboard  22  is connected to the bus B 1  via the keyboard interface  302 . The display apparatus  24  is connected to the bus B 1  via the display apparatus interface  306 . Further, the digital camera  23  is connected to the bus B 1  via the infrared ray interface  303  connected to the bus B 1  and an infrared ray communication channel C 2 .  
         [0056]    The mouse  21  and the keyboard  22  are apparatuses for an estimating personnel to perform input and the like of data. The mouse  21  and the keyboard  22  correspond to data inputting means.  
         [0057]    The digital camera  23  is an apparatus for a repairer to acquire image data and the like of a damaged car. The digital camera  23  also corresponds to the data inputting means.  
         [0058]    The display apparatus  24  is an apparatus for displaying an image of appearance of an automobile, characters and the like inputted by the keyboard  22 .  
         [0059]    In addition, the computer main body  30  is an apparatus for performing execution and the like of a program.  
         [0060]    The mouse interface  301  is an apparatus for receiving data inputted by the estimating personnel from the mouse  21  and communicating the same to the bus B 1 .  
         [0061]    The keyboard interface  302  is an apparatus for receiving data inputted by the estimating personnel from the keyboard  22  and communicating the same to the bus B 1 .  
         [0062]    Moreover, the infrared ray interface  303  is an apparatus for receiving image data and the like of a damaged car from the digital camera  23  via the infrared ray communication channel C 2 , and communicating the same to the bus B 1 .  
         [0063]    The communication interface  304  is an apparatus for receiving data from the communication channel C 1  and communicating the same to the bus B 1 , and receiving data from the bus B 1  and transmitting the same to the communication channel C 1 . The communication interface  304  corresponds to the transmitting means, the first transmitting means, the receiving means, the first receiving means, the damage inappropriate data receiving means, the repair expenses estimation inappropriate data receiving means, the payment standard inappropriate data receiving means and the payment standard appropriate data receiving means.  
         [0064]    The memory for display  305  is composed of an RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like, and is a memory for holding data such as characters, images and the like to be displayed on the display apparatus  24 .  
         [0065]    The display apparatus interface  306  is an apparatus for causing the display apparatus  24  to display characters, images and the like.  
         [0066]    The storage apparatus  307  is a hard disc apparatus for storing a program to be processed by the control unit  310 , region data of an automobile, a payment conditions for insurance companies database for regulating the payment standard for insurance companies, and the like. The storage apparatus  307  corresponds to the first storing means.  
         [0067]    The storage apparatus interface  308  is an apparatus for writing data in the storage apparatus  307  and reading data from the storage apparatus  307 .  
         [0068]    The main memory  309  is composed of an RAM and the like, and is a memory to be used for operation of the control unit  310 .  
         [0069]    The control unit  310  is composed of a CPU and the like, writes data such as characters, images and the like in the memory for display  305  and instructs the display apparatus interface  306  to perform screen display. In addition, the control unit  310  instructs the storage apparatus interface  308  to write data in the storage apparatus  307  and to read out data from the storage apparatus  307 . Further, the control unit  310  receives inputted data from the mouse data  21  via the mouse interface  301 , and receives inputted data from the keyboard  22  via the keyboard interface  302 . Moreover, the control unit  310  performs processing of data such as characters inputted by the mouse  21  and the keyboard  22 , and processing of screen data to be displayed on the display apparatus  24 . Moreover, the control apparatus  310  receives data from the communication channel C 1  via the communication interface  304 , and transmits the same to the communication channel C 1  via the communication interface  304 . Furthermore, the control unit  310  receives image data from the digital camera  23  via the infrared ray interface  303  and the infrared ray communication channel C 2 . The control unit  310  corresponds to the repair expenses estimation data generating means, the first repair expenses estimation data generating means, and the payment standard for insurance companies determining means.  
         [0070]    The insurance company computer  40  will now be described. FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of the insurance company computer  40 .  
         [0071]    In FIG. 3, the insurance company computer  20  is composed of a mouse  41 , a keyboard  42 , a display apparatus  43  and a computer main body  50 .  
         [0072]    In addition, the computer main body  50  is composed of a mouse interface  501 , a keyboard interface  502 , a communication interface  504 , a memory for display  505 , a display apparatus interface  506 , a storage apparatus interface  508 , a main memory  509  and a control unit  510  mutually connected via a bus B 2 , and a storage apparatus  507  connected to the bus B 2  via the storage apparatus interface  508 .  
         [0073]    In addition, the mouse  41  is connected to the bus B 2  via the mouse interface  501 . The keyboard  42  is connected to the bus B 2  via the keyboard interface  502 . The display apparatus  43  is connected to the bus B 2  via the display apparatus interface  506 .  
         [0074]    The mouse  41  and the keyboard  42  are apparatuses for an insurance assessing personnel to perform input and the like of data. The mouse  41  and the keyboard  42  correspond to the damage determining data inputting means.  
         [0075]    The display apparatus  43  is an apparatus for displaying an image of appearance of an automobile, characters and the like inputted by the keyboard  42 . The display apparatus  43  corresponds to the display means.  
         [0076]    The computer main body  50  is an apparatus for performing execution and the like of a program.  
         [0077]    The mouse interface  501  is an apparatus for receiving data inputted by the insurance assessing personnel from the mouse  41  and communicating the same to the bus B 2 .  
         [0078]    The keyboard interface  502  is an apparatus for receiving data inputted by the insurance assessing personnel from the keyboard  42  and communicating the same to the bus B 2 .  
         [0079]    The communication interface  504  is an apparatus for receiving data from the communication channel C 1  and communicating the same to the bus B 2 , and receiving data from the bus B 2  and transmitting the same to the communication channel C 1 . The communication interface  504  corresponds to the receiving means, the second receiving means, the second transmitting means, the repair expenses estimation inappropriate data transmitting means, the payment standard inappropriate data transmitting means and the payment standard appropriate data transmitting means.  
         [0080]    The memory for display  505  is composed of an RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like, and is a memory for holding data such as characters, images and the like to be displayed on the display apparatus  43 .  
         [0081]    The display apparatus interface  506  is an apparatus for causing the display apparatus  43  to display characters, images and the like. The display apparatus interface  506  corresponds to the display instructing means.  
         [0082]    The storage apparatus  507  is a hard disc apparatus for storing a program to be processed by the control unit  510 , the repairer, a type of a damaged car, payment standard for repairers database and the like or regulating payment standards to repairers based on the repairing content. The storage apparatus  507  corresponds to the second storing means.  
         [0083]    The storage apparatus interface  508  is an apparatus for writing data in the storage apparatus  507  and reading data from the storage apparatus  507 .  
         [0084]    The main memory  509  is composed of an RAM and the like, and is a memory to be used for operation of the control unit  510 .  
         [0085]    The control unit  510  is composed of a CPU and the like, writes data such as characters, images and the like in the memory for display  505 , and instructs the display apparatus interface  506  to perform screen display. In addition, the control unit  510  instructs the storage apparatus interface  508  to write data in the storage apparatus  507  and to read out data from the storage apparatus  507 . Further, the control unit  510  receives inputted data from the mouse data  41  via the mouse interface  501 , and receives inputted data from the keyboard  42  via the keyboard interface  502 . Moreover, the control unit  510  performs processing of data such as characters inputted by the mouse  41  and the keyboard  42 , and processing of screen data to be displayed on the display apparatus  43 . Furthermore, the control apparatus  510  receives data from the communication channel C 1  via the communication interface  504 , and transmits the same to the communication channel C 1  via the communication interface  504 . The control unit  510  corresponds to the payment standard for repairer determining means, the second repair expenses estimation data generating means, and the repair expenses estimation data comparing means.  
         [0086]    &lt;Description of operations of the embodiment&gt; 
         [0087]    Contents of a control realized by the control unit  310  of the repairer computer  20  executing a program stored in the storage apparatus  307 , and by the control unit  510  of the insurance company computer  40  executing a program stored in the storage apparatus  507  will now be described with reference to flow charts of FIGS. 4 and 5.  
         [0088]    First, contents of a control realized by the control unit  310  of the repairer computer  20  executing a program stored in the storage apparatus  307  will now be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 4.  
         [0089]    The control unit  310 , when receiving instruction data instructing to commence repair expenses estimation job from the mouse  21  or the keyboard  22 , starts a control shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0090]    After starting the control, in the first step S 001 , the control unit  310  of the repairer computer  20  receives image data from the digital camera  23  via the infrared ray interface  303  and the infrared ray communication channel C 2 .  
         [0091]    In the next step S 002 , the control unit  310  checks whether the reception of the image data has been completed or not. Then, if the reception of the image data has not been completed, the control unit  310  returns the processing to step S 001 , and if the reception of the image data is completed, the control unit  310  moves the processing to step S 003 .  
         [0092]    If the control unit  310  determines in step S 002  that the reception of the image data has been completed, it receives car type specifying data for specifying a type of a damaged car from the mouse  21  or the keyboard  22  in step S 003 .  
         [0093]    In the next step S 004 , the control unit  310  receives damaged part data for specifying damaged parts of the damaged car and damage degree data specifying a damage degree from the mouse  21  or the keyboard  22 . Further, the input of the damaged part data is performed by displaying an image based on the image data received in step S 001  on the display screen of the display apparatus  24 , and pointing a part corresponding to the damaged part in the displayed image by selecting an icon of circular, oval, rectangular shapes or the like that is closely similar to the damage shape.  
         [0094]    In addition, the input of the damage degree data is performed by selectively inputting, for example, “large” if the damage extends to the inside of the damaged car, or “small” if only an outer plate panel is damaged.  
         [0095]    In the next step S 005 , the control unit  310  writes the car type specifying data received in step S 003 , the damaged part data received in step S 004 , and the damage degree data received in step S 004  in the storage apparatus  307  by associating them with the image data of the damaged car received in step S 001 .  
         [0096]    In the next step S 006 , the control unit  310  reads out from the storage apparatus  307 , data showing a list of regions of the damaged car specified by the car type specifying data received in step S 003 , and writes the data in the memory for display  305 . In addition, the control unit  310  instructs the display apparatus interface  306  to display an image based on the data written in the memory for display  305  on the display screen of the display apparatus  24 .  
         [0097]    In the next step S 007 , the control unit  310  waits for data for selecting a damaged part of the damaged car out of the regions shown as a list on the display screen of the display apparatus  24  to be inputted from the mouse  21  or the keyboard  22 . Further, the input of the data for selecting a damaged region is performed for each damaged part to be specified by the inputted damage part data among the images displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus  24  in step S 004 . When the data for selecting a damaged region of the damaged car is inputted from the mouse  21  or the keyboard  22 , the control unit  310  moves the processing to step S 008 . In addition, a damaged region may be automatically selected and specified by the control unit  310  based on each of the data (the image data, the car type specifying data, the damaged part data, and the damage degree data).  
         [0098]    If the data for selecting a damaged region of the damaged car is inputted in step S 007 , the control unit  310  prepares, in step S 008 , repair estimation data based on the car type specifying data inputted in step S 003 , the damage degree data inputted in step S 004 , and the damaged region data inputted in step S 607 .  
         [0099]    In the next step S 009 , the control unit  310  prepares agreement data by adding estimation number data as a retrieval key to the image data received in step S 001 , the damaged part data and the damage degree data inputted in step S 004 , and the repair estimation data prepared in step S 008 . Then, the control unit  310  writes the prepared agreement data in the storage apparatus  307 .  
         [0100]    In next step S 010 , the control unit  310  transmits the agreement data prepared in step S 009  to the insurance company computer  40  via the communication interface  304  and the communication channel C 1 . The control unit  310  thereafter completes the processing.  
         [0101]    Contents of a control to be realized by the control unit  510  of the insurance company computer  40  executing a program stored in the storage apparatus  507  will now be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 5.  
         [0102]    The control unit  510 , when receiving the agreement data via the communication channel C 1  and the communication interface  504 , starts a control shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0103]    After starting the processing, in the first step S 101 , the control unit  510  of the insurance company computer  40  causes the display apparatus  43  to display on its display screen an image based on the image data, the damaged part data and the damage degree data in the received agreement data.  
         [0104]    In the next step S 102 , the control unit  510  waits for decision data showing whether the received agreement data is appropriate or not to be inputted by the mouse  41  or the keyboard  42 . Here, the insurance assessing personnel decides whether or not the damaged part data and the damage degree data are appropriate based on the image data.  
         [0105]    Then, if the decision data is inputted in step S 102 , the control unit  510  checks, in step S 103 , whether or not the decision data inputted in step S 102  is data indicating that the received agreement data is appropriate. Then, if the decision data is not the data indicating that the agreement data is appropriate, the control unit  510  returns the processing to step S 104 , or otherwise moves the processing to step S 105 .  
         [0106]    If the control unit  510  determines that the decision data is not the data indicating that the received agreement data is appropriate in step S 103 , it transmits data notifying that the result of the decision is not appropriate to the repairer computer  20  via the communication interface  504  and the communication channel C 1  instep S 104 . The control unit  510  there after completes the processing.  
         [0107]    On the other hand, if the control unit  510  determines that the decision data is the data indicating that the received agreement data is appropriate in step S 103 , it prepares repair estimation data based on the car type specifying data, the damaged part data, the damage degree data and the like in the agreement data in step S 105 . Further, the repair estimation preparing processing is the processing identical with the processing of step S 008  executed by the control unit  310  of the repairer computer  20  as described above.  
         [0108]    In the next step S 106 , the control unit  510  checks whether or not the repair estimation data in the received agreement data and the repair estimation data prepared in step S 105  coincide. Then, if the control unit  510  determines that the repair estimation data in the received agreement data and the repair estimation data prepared in step S 105  do not coincide, it moves the processing to step S 107 , and if it determines that both the data coincide, moves the processing to step S 108 . Further, in comparing the repair estimation data in the received agreement data and the repair estimation data prepared in step S 105 , determination is made depending on whether or not both the data are identical or substantially identical.  
         [0109]    If the control unit  510  determines, in step S 106 , that the repair estimation data in the agreement data and the repair estimation data prepared in step S 105  do not coincide, it transmits data notifying that the repair estimation data in the agreement data is not appropriate to the repairer computer  20  via the communication interface  503  and the communication channel C 1  in step S 107 . The control unit  510  thereafter completes the processing.  
         [0110]    On the other hand, if the control unit  510  determines, in step S 106 , that the decision data is the data indicating that the decision data is appropriate, in step S 108 , it checks whether or not the repair estimation data meets the payment standard regulated by the payment conditions for repairers database stored in the storage apparatus  507 . Further, as example cases in which the payment standard is not met, there are such cases in which a lever rate is outside a predetermined range, an important safety part is not replaced but repaired, the higher of an estimated amount in a case of repair and an estimated amount in a case of part replacement is applied. Then, if the control unit  510  determines that the repair estimation data does not meet the payment standard regulated by the payment conditions for repairers database, it moves the processing to step S 109 , and if it determines that the payment standard is met, and moves the processing to step S 110 .  
         [0111]    If the control unit  510  determines, in step S 108 , that the repair estimation data does not meet the payment standard regulated by the payment conditions for repairers database, it transmits data notifying that the repair estimation data does not meet the payment standard and contents of the payment standard that is not met (for example, that a lever rate is outside a predetermined range, etc.) to the repairer computer  20  via the communication interface  504  and the communication channel C 1  in step S 109 . The control unit  510  thereafter completes the processing.  
         [0112]    On the other hand, if the control unit  510  determines, in step S 108 , that the repair estimation data meets the payment standard regulated by the payment conditions for repairers database, it transmits data notifying that the repair estimation data meets the payment standard to the repairer computer  20  via the communication interface  504  and the communication channel C 1  in step S 110 . When the data notifying that the repair estimation data meets the payment standard is transmitted to the repairer computer  20 , an insurance agreement is considered to be concluded. The control unit  510  thereafter completes the processing.  
         [0113]    Further, in inputting the car type specifying data, the damaged part data and the damage degree data in steps S 003  and S 004 , data concerning a non-life insurance for the damaged car may be inputted simultaneously.  
         [0114]    In addition, in step S 007 , the damaged region data of the damaged car may be automatically prepared by the control unit  310  instead of being inputted by an operator. As an example of automatic preparation of damaged region data, the control unit  310  of the repairer computer  20  may generate damaged region data by subjecting image processing to the image data of the damaged car and comparing image data of a specific car type stored in advance and the image data of the damaged car.  
         [0115]    Further, in step S 101  the control unit  510  of the insurance company computer  40  may generate decision data by subjecting image processing to the image data in the agreement data instead of the operator inputting the decision data specifying whether or not the agreement data is appropriate or not.  
         [0116]    Moreover, in step S 008  the repair expenses estimation data prepared by the control unit  310  of the repairer computer  20  may be compared with the payment conditions for insurance companies database regulating a payment standard for each insurance company stored in the storage apparatus  307  before being transmitted to the insurance company computer  40 .  
         [0117]    Furthermore, if the repair expenses estimation data prepared by the control unit  310  of the repairer computer  20  is compared with the payment conditions for insurance company database regulating the payment standard for the insurance company stored in the storage apparatus  307  before being transmitted to the insurance company computer  40 , conclusion of an agreement is generally expected for agreement data to be transmitted, and more prompt and certain procedures for concluding an agreement can be carried out. In addition, a repairer can flexibly set insurance benefit conditions (a payment standard) for each of the different insurance companies.  
         [0118]    In this way, since it is determined whether or not the repair expenses estimation data meets the payment standard in the computer used by the repairer before it is transmitted to the computer used by the insurance company from the computer used by the repairer, conclusion of an agreement is generally expected for the repair expenses estimation data transmitted from the computer used by the repairer to the computer used by the insurance company, and possibility of repeated consultations between the repairer and the owner of the damaged car caused by delayed conclusion of an agreement can be reduced.  
         [0119]    Further, the term “region” used on this context represents a group of parts that have a certain uniformity relating to one identical part of an automobile. A certain uniformity may indicate a group of parts that are proximate to one part, or may be a group of parts that relate to each other when one part is repaired (for example, a group including parts that are required to be attached or detached when one part is repaired). In addition, one part may be one region.  
         [0120]    This invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in various ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications would be obvious for one skilled in the art intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.