Method, apparatus and program product for facilitating transfer of vehicle leases

Abstract

A method for facilitating transfer of vehicle leases between parties involves providing a database of vehicle lease records concerning vehicle leases available for transfer. A search engine is provided for searching the vehicle lease database according to entered criteria, the search engine operable to identify available vehicle lease records which meet the entered criteria. Access to the search engine is provided via a computer network. Upon execution of a given search including criteria entered by a searching user, the searching user is provided, via the computer network, with vehicle lease information concerning at least one matching vehicle lease record which meets the entered criteria of the given search, if such a matching vehicle lease record exists.

1 . A method for facilitating transfer of vehicle leases between parties, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a database of vehicle lease records concerning vehicle leases available for transfer;    providing a search engine for searching the vehicle lease database according to entered criteria, the search engine operable to identify available vehicle lease records which meet the entered criteria;    providing access to the search engine via a computer network;    upon execution of a given search including criteria entered by a searching user, providing, via the computer network, the searching user with vehicle lease information concerning at least one matching vehicle lease record which meets the entered criteria of the given search, if such a matching vehicle lease record exists.    
     
     
         2 . A method for facilitating transfer of vehicle leases, the method comprising: 
 in response to user input received over a computer network from a first user, creating a first vehicle lease record in a vehicle lease database, wherein the first vehicle lease record is associated with a vehicle that is currently under an existing lease, and wherein the first vehicle lease record identifies lease information associated with the existing lease;    in response to user input received over a computer network from a second user, searching the vehicle lease database to generate a result set of vehicle lease records that match a search criterion, wherein the result set identifies at least the first vehicle lease record; and    communicating at least a portion of the result set to the second user, including communicating lease information for the first vehicle lease record.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lease information for the first vehicle lease record communicated to the second user includes a lease payment amount.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lease information for the first vehicle lease record communicated to the second user includes an allowed lease mileage amount.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lease information for the first vehicle lease record communicated to the second user includes a remaining lease mileage amount.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lease information for the first vehicle lease record communicated to the second user includes an amount of available miles per month remaining on the lease.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lease information for the first vehicle lease record communicated to the second user includes a remaining number of months in the lease.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lease information for the first vehicle lease record communicated to the second user includes a lease termination date.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lease information for the first vehicle lease record communicated to the second user includes a lease end buyout amount.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lease information for the first vehicle lease record communicated to the second user includes a payment amount required to assume the lease.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the lease information for the first vehicle lease record communicated to the second user includes an incentive amount offered by the first user to encourage another user to assume the lease.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising restricting communication between the first and second users, and thereafter removing a restriction on communication between the first and second users in response to occurrence of an event.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the event is payment of a monetary fee by the second user.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein searching the vehicle lease database is performed prior to payment of any monetary fee by the second user.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the event is verification that the second user could qualify to assume the lease.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein restricting communication includes restricting access by the second user to identifying information about the first user that might enable the second user to contact the first user.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 prior to the event, enabling the second user to enter a question seeking additional information from the first user;    electronically forwarding the question to the first user; and    electronically forwarding a response from the first user to the second user while restricting access by the second user to information about the first user that might enable the second user to contact the first user.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein electronically forwarding the question and the response are performed by a web site, and wherein restricting access by the second user to information about the first user that might enable the second user to contact the first user comprises restricting access by the second user to information about the first user that might enable the second user to contact the first user via a mechanism other than the web site.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing an electronic mailbox for the first user from which to receive the question from the second user.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising enabling the first user to electronically request insurance for coverage of vehicle liability retained by the first user after transfer of the lease.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising, prior to creating the first vehicle lease record, requiring the first user to become a registered user by at least entering first user identifying information.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 obtaining credit information from the second user;    generating an electronic credit application for the second user using the obtained credit information; and    forwarding the electronic credit application to at least one credit provider.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising, upon receipt of approval/denial status of the electronic credit application, electronically notifying each of the first and second users of the approval/denial status.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising electronically initiating a transfer of the lease associated with the first vehicle lease record to the second user.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein electronically initiating the transfer includes generating at least one vehicle lease transfer document and forwarding the document to at least one of the first and second users.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein forwarding the vehicle lease transfer document is performed electronically.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising electronically forwarding the vehicle lease transfer document to a leasing company.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising, after initiation of a transfer of the lease associated with the first vehicle lease record, marking the lease associated with the first vehicle lease record as in a transfer pending state such that any user that views information from the first vehicle lease record is notified that the lease transfer is pending.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 storing a search criterion in response to user input from the second user;    associating the search criterion with an address for the second user;    subsequently conducting an automated search of the vehicle lease database to identify at least one matching vehicle lease record meeting the search criterion; and    electronically communicating a message to the address for the second user that notifies the second user that a matching vehicle lease record exists in the vehicle lease database.    
     
     
         30 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 at least one computer including memory and at least one processor; and    program code resident on the at least one computer and configured to facilitate transfers of vehicle leases by: 
 in response to user input received over a computer network from a first user, creating a first vehicle lease record in a vehicle lease database, wherein the first vehicle lease record is associated with a vehicle that is currently under an existing lease, and wherein the first vehicle lease record identifies lease information associated with the existing lease;  
 in response to user input received over a computer network from a second user, searching the vehicle lease database to generate a result set of vehicle lease records that match a search criterion, wherein the result set identifies at least the first vehicle lease record; and  
 communicating at least a portion of the result set to the second user, including communicating lease information for the first vehicle lease record.