During a meeting I recently had at the Nashua Senior Activity Center, a situation was brought to my attention that involved a minor auto accident in a parking lot.

As we all know, every situation regarding auto accidents is different. There are reporting laws in the State of New Hampshire that apply when damage is above a certain dollar amount, if it involves a city or government agency vehicle, or if there is any degree of personal bodily injury.

But what if there is very little damage or no damage at all that is noticeable?

A recommendation is this: CALL YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT ANYWAY JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INCIDENT DOESN’T TAKE A TURN FOR THE WORSE. Let me explain.

An anonymous woman reported to me that a young male bumped into her left rear bumper in a parking lot. Both of them evaluated the vehicles and found NO DAMAGE. The woman exchanged her information to include name, address, and insurance company. He DID NOT GIVE HER HIS INFORMATION. He made her so nervous that she didn’t pursue the matter any further.

Two weeks later, the woman received a call from her “insurance company”. They stated they needed to come to her house to evaluate the damage because the other driver involved reported to his insurance company that he had a LOT OF DAMAGE to his car. The “insurance agent” arrived at her home and took various pictures of her vehicle and concluded that “for a fee, he could buff out the scratches to her bumper” that was caused during the accident.

AN ALARM WENT OFF WHEN I HEARD THIS. It is NOT the usual practice for any insurance adjuster to require a FEE FOR SERVICE AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION.

When you call your Police Department to report even the most minor of accidents, the Officer may find that the guy who hit you may have an arrest warrant, be under suspension of his license and registration, have NO LICENSE AT ALL, be a wanted subject or a fugitive from Justice, or may be part of a STAGED AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT CRIMINAL RING!!!!!!!!