Horse-and-buggy car insurance fraudster weaves tale of whoa

A Connecticut man has been charged with two counts of insurance fraud for swapping horsepower for a horse and buggy after he allegedly damaged a parked car last May in Granby, Connecticut.

According to the Journal Inquirer of Manchester, Connecticut, Robert Sumner, 56, was driving his horse and buggy in the parking lot of vegan restaurant Sweet Beet when his horse stumbled, allegedly causing the buggy to hit the parked car of a woman who worked at the restaurant.

The woman said that several months later, Mr. Sumner directed her to contact his insurance company because he had filed a claim. However, she claimed that he asked her to lie to the insurer by stating that the damage to her car was caused by him backing into it with his vehicle. The woman said she refused and called the police, who then contacted the insurance company.

The insurer, The Progressive Co. based in Mayfield, Ohio, investigated the claim and provided police with audio recordings of Mr. Sumner allegedly stating that he backed into the woman’s vehicle in a parking lot with his own car.

Mr. Sumner posted $10,000 bond and his hearing is scheduled for Jan. 30 in the Connecticut Superior Court in Enfield.