Patent ID: 8175899

Claim:
A method of processing a request that an item be repaired or replaced, said method comprising: receiving said request at a central claim processing facility; determining whether said item requires replacement or repair due to: an event covered under a service contract provided by a first provider, or an event covered under an insurance policy provided by a second provider; in response to determining that said item requires replacement or repair due to an event covered under said service contract, submitting a request to said first provider to process said item according to said service contract; and in response to determining that said item requires replacement or repair due to an event covered under said insurance policy, submitting a request to said second provider to process said item according to said insurance policy, wherein: said determining whether said item requires replacement or repair due to an event covered under said service contract comprises: determining whether said item has incurred a mechanical breakdown; and in response to determining that said item has incurred a mechanical breakdown, determining that said item requires replacement or repair due to an event covered under said service contract; said determining whether said item requires replacement or repair due to an event covered under said insurance policy comprises: determining whether said item has been damaged; and in response to determining that said item has been damaged, determining that said item requires replacement or repair due to an event covered under said insurance policy.