GB2225461A - Computer system for car insurance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides for computing a range of car insurance premiums in response to data being entered into the computer 2, by means of terminals 3, in a predetermined data entry format. The entry format and entered data are displayed on the left hand side of a visual display screen 6 simultaneously with the display of premiums on the right hand side of the screen. Specific data fields are provided on the screen for data to be entered and for the premiums. Data is entered sequentially in the data fields, and sub routines control the entry and reading of the data, and validation of the entered data using look-up tables 10. <IMAGE>

Description

A method for programming a computer The present invention relates to a method for operating a computer, and in particular for operating a computer to compute premiums of different types of insurance policies for vehicle insurance in response to data being entered into the computer in respect of an individual and a vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer programme operating according to the method of the invention and to a computer operating under the control of the computer programme.

Computers under the control of a computer programme are used to compute premiums for insurance policies in respect of motor vehicles and the like. In general, data in respect of the motor vehicle and the individual, the owner of the motor vehicle is entered into the computer through a keyboard. The entered data is displayed on a visual display screen, normally in a predetermined format and is accordingly entered in that format. Data fields are set aside for each piece of data to be entered and each piece of data is entered in the appropriate data field in response to a cursor appearing at the beginning of the field on the visual display screen. The premiums for different types of insurance, for example, comprehensive third party fire and theft and the like, are then computed and subsequently displayed on the screen.

Unfortunately. in all cases it has been necessar to use a number of pages of data to display all the entered data and the premiums. Thus, one has to switch from page to page on the visual display screen to review the entered data and the premiums. This it will be appreciated causes considerable inconvenience for an individual operating the computer. If the operator is dealing directly with a client while entering the data, after having the premiums displayed on the screen if the operator wishes to check a particular piece of data which has been entered, it is necessary to switch back to another page on the computer screen. This is time consuming and in many cases can lead to embarrassment.

There is therefore a need for a method for programming a computer to compute premiums for vehicle insurance which overcomes these problems. There is also a need for a computer programme operating according to the method of the invention which overcomes the problems of the prior art. Further, there is a need for a computer operating under the control of the computer programme.

According to the invention. there is provided a method for programming a computer for computing the premiums of different types of vehicle insurance in response to data being entered into the computer in a predetermined data entry format, and displaying the entered data and premiums on a display means, wherein the method comprises the step of displaying the entered data and the premiums simultaneously on the display means, the entered data being displayed in the predetermined data entry format and the premiums also being displayed in a predetermined format.

Preferably, the data to be entered comprises details of an individual and of a vehicle to be insured.

Advantageously, the data displayed in respect of the premiums includes a plurality of costs for each type of premium based on certain predetermined loadings and reductions.

In one embodiment of the invention, the data entry format together with the entered data is displayed substantially on one side of the display means, and the premiums displayed substantially on the other side of the display means. Preferably, the display means is a visual display screen.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the data to be entered is entered in fields of predetermined lengths and positions in the data entry format In a further embodiment of the invention. the method comprises the step of validating at least some of t. t data entered by comparing a piece of entered data with corresponding data in a look up table and stored in the computer, and if the entered data compares with any of the data in the look up table, displaying the valid status of the entered data on the display means, and in the event of the entered data not comparing with any of the data in the look up table, displaying the invalid status of the entered data on the display means.Advantageously, the method comprises the step of displaying the data in the look up table corresponding to the piece of entered data on the display means in the event of the entered data not comparing with any of the data in the look up table.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the additional step of computing the premiums from the entered data.

Advantageously, the method for computing the premiums comprises the step of retrieving the appropriate premiums from look up tables stored in the computer in response to the entered data, and computing additional loadings or reductions to be respectively added to or deducted from the premiums by multiplying the premiums by predetermined percentage points retrieved from look up tables stored in the computer in respect of the loadings or the reductions selected in response to the entered data.

Addtionally, the invention provides a computer programme comprising the method of the invention.

Further, the invention provides a medium carrying the computer programme of the invention.

Additionally, the invention provides a computer comprising and operating under the control of the computer programme of the invention.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a computer system according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a representation of data displayed on a screen of a visual display unit of the computer system of Fig. 1, Fig 3 is a representation of data displayed on portion of a screen of a visual display of the computer system of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a sub routine of a computer programme for use in the computer system of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart of another sub routine of the computer programme of the computer system of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 illustrates a flow chart of another sub routine of the computer programme of the computer system of Fig. 1, and Fig. 7 is a representation of a typical look up table stored in the computer system of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 a computer system according to the invention which is controlled by a computer programme of the invention is illustrated and indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. In this case, the computer system is programmed to compute and display a range of insurance premiums in response to data on a motor vehicle and the individual owner of the vehicle being entered.

The computer system 1 comprises a main computer 2 having a plurality of teminals 3 connected thereto.

Needless to say, any number of terminals 3 may be connected to the computer 2. Each terminal comprises a keyboard 5 through which the data is entered and a cathode ray visual display screen 6 which displays the entered data and premiums as is described below. The computer 2 comprises a main central processing unit 7 and drivers 8, which drive the terminal 3 under the control of the central processing unit 7. A computer memory 9 stores a computer programme which will be described below, which controls the operation of the system 1.

Storage registers form a plurality of look up tables 10 only four of which are illustrated. Each look up table 10 contains specific data which is described in more detail below, however, briefly the look up tables comprise rates of premiums for different types of insurance cover, for example comprehensive cover, third party cover and third party fire and theft cover. These premiums are tabulated against various cubic capacities of car engine. Various loadings, for example, age loading for drivers based on the age of the driver and the age of the car are also stored in look up tables. These loadings are given as a percentage, in other words, the percentage increase which is to be added on to the basic premium.

Reductions relating to various aspects of the motor vehicle or the owner of the vehicle are also stored in look up tables 10. Look up tables 10 also store data for use in validating data entered on both the individual and the vehicle through the keyboards 5 of the terminals 3. Typical validating data stored in the tables 10 comprises the valid names of the counties of the country in which the insurance is to be given, in this case the counties of Ireland. The valid names of towns of particular counties are also stored in look up tables 10 for validating a town of a particular county. Valid street designators, such as, for example, "street", "park", "avenue", "close" and the like are stored in a look up table 10 so that the designator used in a street address may be validated.

Names of other insurance companies and their valid abbreviation are stored in a look up table 10. Thus, where an individual gives the details of his or her previous insurance company, the company name can be validated.

All the operations carried out in the computer under the control of the computer programme are carried out in the central processing unit 7. Thus, where data entered is validated by comparing the data entered with the valid data in the appropriate look up table 10, the comparison is carried out in the central processing unit 7. Similarly, the basic premiums having been obtained from the appropriate look u tables 10 the loadings and reductions are computed in the central processing unit 7 by operating on the basic premium by the appropriate percentages obtained from the appropriate look up tables 10.

The data entered on the individual and motor vehicle through the keyboard 5 of each terminal 3 is displayed on the screen. When the premium has been computed by the central processing unit 7 of the computer 2, the range of premiums is also simultaneously displayed on the screen of the visual display unit 6. A typical display on a screen 6 is illustrated in Fig. 2. As can be seen, substantially all the data entered in respect of the individual and the motor vehicle is displayed on the left hand side of the screen while the range of premiums is simultaneously displayed on the right hand side of the screen. This has many advantages and the principal advantage is that an operator can immediately inspect both the entered data and the premiums simultaneously without the need to switch from page to page on the screen.

This display is achieved by setting aside a specific data field for each piece of data to be entered and each piece of premium data to be displayed. In the present case, the left hand side of the screen is formatted so that data titles are provided against the data fields in which the data is to be entered.

Prompts are provided to the operator to enter the data in sequence by a cursor moving from one field to the next as each field is completed. In each case, the cursor is moved by the computer programme to the first character position of each data field.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the data fields will now be described. The first data field, data field 1 receives the first name of the individual. Data field 1 commences on the fifth line at character position 14 and extends to character position 33. The words "First Name" appear on the screen followed by a colon at the beginning of the fifth line to identify data field 1. The second data field, data field 2 is provided on the sixth line and receives the surname, and accordingly is preceded by the word "Surname" followed by a colon. The data field 2 extends from character position 14 to character position 33. Two data fields 3 and 4 are provided on line seven. The data field 3 extends from character positions 14 to 17 and receives the title of the individual, namely, "Nlr.t', "biros.", "Miss" or the like.The word "Title" identifying the data field is provided on the seventh line in front of the data field 3. The data field 4 is provided at character position 33 to indicate the sex of the individual by receiving the letters M or F to indicate male or female. Lines 8, 9 and 10 from characters 14 to 43 form the address data fields 5, 6 and 7. Data fields 8, 9 and 10 provide for the date of birth of the individual to be entered at line 11.

The data fields 8, 9 and 10 are provided at character positions 14 to 15, 17 to 18 and 20 to 21 for the day, month and year respectively. Data field 11 to receive the marital status of the individual is provided on line 11 at character position 32. A "Y" or an "N" indicating "yes" or "no" respectively as to whether the individual is married or not is entered in data field 11. Data field 12 appears on line 11 and is provided by character position 43 to receive a "Y" or an "N" to indicate whether one is a licence holder or otherwise.

Data field 13 on line 12 comprises one character at character position 6 to receive an indication of the employment status of the individual, "E" indicating employed, "U" indicating unemployed. Data field 14 on line 12 extends from character position 8 to character position 37 to receive details of an individuals employment. Data field 1D also in line 12 at character position 43 receives a single digit indicating the class of vehicle use required for premium calculation purposes. A sub routine in the computer programme displays the various categories ar types of employment together with the normal class of vehicle use which would be required on the right hand side of the screen when data field 15 is being completed. This provides the operator with assistance when classifying the class of vehicle use required.

Data field 16 is provided to indicate the number of years one has had a no-claims bonus on their own insurance and data field 17 is provided to receive the number of years one has had a no-claims bonus on another insurance policy. Data fields 16 and 17 are provided on line 13 at character positions 14 and 15, and 23 and 24 respectively.

Data field 18 comprises three character positions, namely character positions 14 to 16 in line 14 to indicate the details of the previous insurer of the individual. A three letter abbreviation of the insurer is entered in data field 18. A look up table 10 comprising the valid names of insurers with their corresponding three letter abbreviation is provided in the computer and on the request of an operator, this is displayed on the right hand side of the screen.

Data fields 19 to 21 are provided at line 14 character positions 36 and 37. 39 and 40, and 42 and 43 for entering the renewal date of the previous insurers insurance policy.

Data field 22 comprising character positions 14 to 28 at line 15 is provided to receive the make of the car.

Data field 23 at line 16 character positions 14 to 33 receives the model type of the car. The cubic capacity of the engine is entered in data field 24 at line 17 character positions 6 to 9. Data field 25 at line 17 character positions 17 and 18 receives the year of manufacture of the vehicle. Data field 26 at line 17 character positions 40 to 43 receives the value of the vehicle. Data fields 27 A to E, 28 A to E and 29 A to E receive the age, type of licence and name respectively of individual drivers who are to be named on the policy. These data fields are provided on lines 19 to 23 at character positions 2 and 3, 6, and 9 to 38. The home telephone number and car registration are entered in data fields 30 and 31.

Data fields 30 and 31 are provided at line 19 character positions 60 to 71 and line 21 character positions 68 to 78. Data field 32 at line 23, character position 43 receives a "Y" or "N'" indicating Yes or No as to whether all data has been entered or not.

In all cases. a title identifying the data to be entered in each data field is provided in front of or adjacent each data field.

On all data being entered and a "Y" being entered in data field 32, sub routines of the computer programme compute the insurance premiums. On the insurance premiums having been computed in the central processing unit 7, the computer premiums are displayed in the format illustrated on the right hand side of the screen, illustrated in Fig. 2. As can be seen, a plurality of data fields are provided on the right hand side of the screen to display this data.

Data field 33A gives the monetary value of the basic premium for comprehensive insurance. Data field 33B gives the monetary value of the basic premium for third party fire and theft insurance, while data field 33C gives the monetary value of the basic premium for third party insurance only. From here, the actual positions of only some of the data fields will be given, however, the remainder will be clear from Fig.

2. Data field 34A gives the monetary value of the reduction if one bears the first 150 of a comprehensive claim. There is no similar reduction for third party fire and theft, and third party insurances. Data field 35B and C and 36B and C gives the monetary value of the additional premiums to be added to the third party fire and theft and third parts premiums respectively if one wishes to cover damage to their windscreen. Since the windscreen is covered automatically in a comprehensive policy, there is no need for a monetary value in respect of the windscreen for the comprehensive premium. The term windscreen 1 relates to cover up to a certain value of windscreen, while the term windscreen 2 relates to cover to a higher value.Data fields 37A to C gives monetary values for the additional premiums if one wishes to insure their no claims bonus. Data fields 38A to C indicate the additional premium if one wishes to insure their personal effects, while data fields 39A to C gives the additional premiums if one wishes to insure personal accident. Data fields 40A to C indicate the additional premiums if the insured wishes to be covered to drive other cars. In all cases, the data fields A are provided from character positions 56 to character positions 63 on the appropriate line.

The data fields B extend from character positions 65 to character positions 72. The data fields C extend from character positions 74 to character positions 80.

Data field 41 provides for the entry of three characters Y,N or H to indicate respectively "Yes' the individual wishes to go on cover immediately. "No" does not wish to be covered, or "Hold" where the individual wishes to hold the quotation open for a period of time. In the event that the answer in da field 41 is "Y", the type of cover selected is entere~ in data field 42. Data fields 43 to 45 indicate respectively whether one wishes to take the reduction of data field 34A by bearing-the excess, which type of windscreen cover is required, and whether no claims bonus protection is required.The data field 43 receives a "Y" or "N" indicating "yes" or "no", the data field 44 receives a 0, 1 or 2, "0" indicating no windscreen protection is required and "1" and "2" indicating the type of protection required. "Yes" or "No" is entered in the data field 45 to indicate "Yes" or "No as to whether or not "no claims bonus protection" is required. Data fields 46 to 48 are provided to receive a "Y" or an "N" indicating Yes or No as to whether or not personal effects, personal accident are required to be protected and whether or not the insured wishes to drive other cars.

The gross premium is then computed and displayed in data field 45. The form of payment is entered in data field 50. The date of commencement of the insurance policy is entered in data field 51. Data field 52 is provided to receive a "Y" or an "N" indicating whether or not everything in the right hand side has been completed.

Referring now to Fig. 4. there is illustrated a flow chart of a sub routine of the computer programme which controls the entry of data into the computer. Block 1 displays the format on the left hand side of the screen in which the data is to be entered. Block 2 sets the data field number N = 1, in other words, the first data field. Block 3 calls up the sub routine of Fig. 5 which reads each character entered in the data field N. This sub routine is described below. When all characters in the data field N have been read, the sub routine of Fig. 5 returns the programme to block 5 of the sub routine of Fig. 4. Block 5 checks if the value of the field number N is equal to a value X. If the value of N is equal to the value X, the sub routine moves to block 6.Depending on the value of X, block 6 calls up the appropriate sub routine to validate the value of the data entered. This is described below. When the validating sub routine has validated the data in the appropriate field, the sub routine moves on to block 7, which increments the value of X to the value of the next data field in which the entered data is to be validated. The sub routine then moves on to block 8. here the value of is not equal to X, the sub routine moves directly from block 5 to block 8. Block 8 increments the value of the data field N by 1. Block 9 checks if all the data in all the data fields up to data field 32 has been entered. in other words, if N is less than or equal to in this case 32.Where N is less than or equal to 32, the sub routine moves to block 3 which calls up the sub routine of Fig. 5 to read the characters in the next data field. Where all data has been entered when N is greater than 32 the sub routine moves to block 10 which calls up the sub routine for calculating the premium and data in fields A to C.

The sub routine then moves to block 11 which displays this data. The computer programme then calls up a further sub routine with steps substantially similar to those of blocks 3 to 20 for inputting the data in the data fields 41 to 48 and 50 to 52. A further sub routine is then called up for calculating the gross premium which is displayed in data field 49.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the flow chart of the sub routine for reading the characters in each data field is illustrated. In fact, this subroutine is used for reading all entered characters and is a general sub routine which may be called up by any part of the computer programme or other sub routines for reading a character or characters. Hover, since we are dealing mainly with the entry of data into the data fields, we will describe it particularly with reference to reading such characters from the data fields. The parameters which specify the screen location, namelv the line number and column number for the characters in each data field, as well as the validation codes are passed to this sub routine.The sub routine accepts the data from the screen and then returns the accepted field number and value contents which may be either numeric or alphanumeric to the calling programme or sub routine.

Block 40 initialises the data field N in which the data is to be entered and read. Block 41 checks if data field N is to be skipped. If the data field N is to be skipped, the sub routine moves on to block 42, which increments the value of the data field by one.

If the data field is not to be skipped, the sub routine moves on to block 43 which checks if the data field is less than or equal to 32. If not, in other words, if the data field is greater than 32, the sub routine moves to block 44, which returns control of the computer to the next block in the calling programme or sub routine which called up the sub routine of Fig. 5, in this case the control of the computer would be returned to block 5 of Fig. 4.

If the data field N is less than or equal to 32 the sub routine of Fig. 5 moves on to block 45. Block 45 positions the cursor at the first character position to be read in data field N. The sub routine then moves on to block 46, which accepts the character.

Block 47 checks if the character accepted by block 46 is a control character. If the character is a control character, the sub routine moves on to block 48, which is described below. If the character accepted by block 46 is not a control character, the sub routine moves on to block 49. Block 49 checks if the character is a valid character and if it is not, the sub routine moves back to block 46 to receive another character. If the character is a valid character, the sub routine moves on to block 50, which moves the character to a work field in the memory of the computer for storage until all characters in the data field N have been read. The sub routine then moves on to block 51, which increments the character position by one. Block 52 checks if the character position is greater than the last character position in the data field N.If it is not, the cursor is moved to the next character position in the data field and the sub routine returns to block 46 which accepts the next character entered.

If the character position is greater than the last character position in the data field, the sub routine moves to block 53. On block 52 determining that the character position is greater than the last character position in the data field, all data to be entered into the data field N will have been entered and read.

and stored in the work field by block 50. Thus, block 53 moves all the characters stored in the work field to the appropriate location in the computer memory for subsequent operation. The sub routine then moves to block 54, which displays the characters on the screen, and block 55 returns control of the computer to the next block in the calling computer programme or sub routine which called up the sub routine of Fig. 5, In this case, control of the computer is returned to block 5 of Fig. 4. Returning now to block 48 of the sub routine of Fig. 5, if block 48 determines that the character entered is a carriage return, then the sub routine moves on to the block 53 and as already described the characters stored in the work field are moved to the appropriate location in the computer memory and the sub routine continues through block 54 and 55. Should block 48 determine that the control character is not a carriage return, the computer programme then moves to block 56 which interprets the control character and repositions the cursor in the appropriate position and then returns the sub routine to block 46 to accept the next character.

Referring now to Fig. 6 the sub routine for validating entered data in particular data fields is illustrzr.

Block 20 of the flow chart calls up the look up table 10 which contains the valid data corresponding to the data in the field X. Block 21 compares the entered data sequentially with each piece of valid data in the look up table 10. If the entered data is similar to a piece of data in the look up table 10, block 22 moves the sub routine to block 23 which validates the data.

The sub routine then proceeds to block 24 which returns the control of the computer to block 7 of the sub routine of Fig. 4. Should the entered data not compare with any piece of data on the look up table, the sub routine moves to block 25. Block 25 displays a message on the top portion of the screen that the data entered is invalid data and the programme moves to block 26. Block 26 displays all the data in the look up table 10 on the right hand side of the screen showing the operator the type of data which would be accepted as valid data. Block 27 moves the cursor to the first character in the data field X to enable the operator to re-enter the data in data field X.The programme then moves on to block 28 which returns the sub routine to block 20 and the sub routine is repeated until the sub routine finally gets to block 23 where the data is validated and moves on to block 24 which returns control of the computer to block 7 of the sub routine of Fig. 4.

In this case, the data fields which are validated are as follows. Data field 4 is validated to check if the sex entered corresponds with the title of the individual in data field 3. The street designator in data field 5 is validated. The town in data field 6 is validated. The previous insurer in data field 18 is validated. The car make and model in data fields 22 and 23 are validated. The cubic capacity of the engine in data field 24 is validated.

A typical look up table 10 is illustrated in Fig. 7.

This look up table 10 contains valid street designators. If the entered data contains a street designator then the street designator is flagged so that searches for valid street/town names will not be conducted on the designator. In this way, the speed of table lookup for valid street/town names is greatly enhanced.

Additional loadings for particular areas of residence of the individual seeking the insurance in the territory are also stored in look up tables against the particular areas. Thus, on all the data being entered, when computing the insurance premium, the appropriate sub routine applies the appropriate loading, if any depending on the address entered in data fields 5, 6 and 7.

The sub routines for computing the values of insurance premiums will be known to those skilled in the art and it is not intended to describe them here.

In use, when all the data has been entered and validated in data fields 1 to 32 under the control of the sub routines of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the appropriate sub routines are called up to compute the insurance premiums, which are then displayed as already described. The remaining sub routines are then called up to enter the data in data fields 41 to 48 and 50 to 52 and the gross value of the premium is computed by a further sub routine and displayed in data field 49.

While not illustrated, it will be appreciated that a printer may also be networked to the computer 2 which then issues the insurance policy and an appropriate letter to the individual.

The advantages of the invention are many, however, the main advantage of the invention is achieved by virtue of the fact that the entered data and range of premiums are displayed on one page of the screen simultaneously, thereby permitting the operator to see simultaneously the data entered and the preiu. This substantially facilitates the operator when dealt no with a client.

A further advantage of the invention is that by virtue of the fact that certain of the data is validated, errors in computing the premium are reduced to a minimum.

While particular data has been described as being validated, only some of the data described may be validated, indeed in certain cases, more of the data may be validated. It will also be appreciated that while a particular configuration of computer has been described other suitable configurations may be used.

While the data fields have been described as being in particular positions on the screen and being of particular character lengths, data fields of other character lengths could be provided, and needless to say, it will be appreciated that the data fields may be provided in any other suitable or desired position on the screen without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (28)

1. A method for programming a computer for computing the premiums of different types of vehicle insurance in response to data being entered into the computer in a predetermined data entry format, and displaying the entered data and premiums on a display means, wherein the method comprises the step of displaying the entered data and the premiums simultaneously on the display means, the entered data being displayed in the predetermined data entry format and the premiums also being displayed in a predetermined format.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the data to be entered comprises details of an individual and of a vehicle to be insured.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the data displayed in respect of the premiums includes a plurality of costs for each type of premium based on certain predetermined loadings and reductions.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the data entry format together with the entered data is displayed substantially on one side of the display means, and the premiums are displayed substantially on the other side of the display means.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the display means is a visual display screen.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the data to be entered is entered in fields of predetermined lengths and positions in the data entry format.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 6 in which the method includes providing a prompt means to the operator in respect of the piece of data to be entered.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7 in which the prompt means comprises an illuminated cursor on the visual display screen.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 8 in which the method comprises the step of moving the cursor to the beginning of the data field in respect of the piece of data to be entered.

10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the method comprises the step of validating at least some of the data entered by comparing a piece of entered data with corresponding data in a look up table and stored in the computer, and if the entered data compares with any of the data in the look up table, displaying the valid status of the entered data on the display means, and in the event of the entered data not comparing with any of the data in the look up table, displaying the invalid status of the entered data on the display means.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 in which the method comprises the step of displaying the data in the look up table corresponding to the piece of entered data on the display means in the event of the entered data not comparing with any of the data in the look up table.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or 11 in which the method comprises the validating of a street designator.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12 in which the method comprises the step comparing the entered street designator with street designators in a look up table stored in the computer.

14. A method as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 13 in which the validity of a town of an address of the individual is validated, the method comprising the step of comparing the entered town with towns on a look up table of towns for the area of the address stored in the computer.

15. A method as claimed in Claim 14 in which the towns of specific counties are stored on respective look up tables.

16. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the method includes the step of validating the details of a previous insurer of the individual entered in the entered data.

17. A method as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 16 in which the method comprises the step of validating the car make and model, the entered car make and model being compared to valid car makes and models in look up tables stored in the computer.

18. A method as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 17 in which the cubic capacity entered in respect of the vehicle is validated by comparing the entered cubic capacity with valid cubic capacities corresponding to the particular make and model of the vehicle stored in a look up table.

19. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the method comprises the additional step of computing the premiums from the entered data.

20. A method as claimed in Claim 19 in which the method for computing the premiums comprises the step of retrieving the appropriate premiums from look up tables stored in the computer in response to the entered data, and computing additional loadings or reductions to be respectively added to or deducted from the premiums by multiplying the premiums by predetermined percentage points retrieved from look up tables stored in the computer in respect of the loadings or the reductions selected in response to the entered data.

21. A method substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying

22. A computer programme comprising the method of any of Claims 1 to 21 for programming a computer.

23. A computer programme substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

24. A medium carrying the computer programme of Claim 22 or 23.

25. A medium as claimed in Claim 24 in which the medium is a magnetic tape or disc.

26. A medium as claimed in Claim 24 or 25 in which the medium is a hard disc.

27. A computer comprising a computer programme as claimed in Claim 22 or 23.

28. A computer substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.