B-FICA: BlockChain based Framework for Auto-Insurance Claim and Adjudication

In this paper, we propose a partitioned BlockChain based Framework for Auto-insurance Claims and Adjudication (B-FICA) for CAVs that tracks both sensor data and entity interactions with two-sided verification. B-FICA uses permissioned BC with two partitions to share information on a need to know basis. It also uses multi-signed transactions for proof of execution of instructions, for reliability and auditability and also uses a dynamic lightweight consensus and validation protocol to prevent evidence alteration. Qualitative evaluation shows that B-FICA is resilient to several security attacks from potential liable entities. Finally, simulations show that compared to the state of the art, B-FI CA reduces processing time and its delay overhead is negligible for practical scenarios and at marginal security cost.

I. Introduction

Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) are instrumented with wide arrays of specialised computers called Electronic Control Units (ECUs), sensors and connecting technologies to facilitate independent driving decisions and enable better perception of the environment to avert road transportation hazards. The ability of CAVs to make some or all driving decisions disrupts the current auto insurance claims and adjudication process where a physical driver is solely blamed for an accident. This disruption enables shared liability among multiple entities interacting with a CAV including the Automotive Manufacturer, Service Technician and Software Provider and therefore makes adjudication challenging. Consider the fatal CAV accident scenario described in [1]. In this scenario, assigning blame was arduous due to lack of transparency in the adjudication process. Furthermore, with the existing claims processing model, a claimant in this scenario would have to painstakingly wait for about 4–12 months for an insurer to make a decision based on the circumstances of submitted claim [29].