Massachusetts car buyers are being charged so-called “documentation preparation” fees that can range as high as $400 supposedly for processing paperwork and storage of documents,according to a state-wide survey by the Office of Consumer Affairs.

The Office of Consumer Affairs surveyed almost 190 car dealerships across the state asking if these fees were charged, the amount and the reasons for the fees. Almost 70 percent of the dealerships called charged the fees, which ranged from $45 to $399, and the many reasons given for the fees appeared to be very questionable and literally made up by the auto dealerships.  Reasons ranged from a 9/11 security fee to storing documents for eight years at Downtown Crossing to paying insurance agents.

“As consumers gear up for Presidents’ Day sales, they need to know that in most instances dealerships are hitting them with unnecessary fees claiming they are for paperwork and documents.”, said Barbara Anthony, Undersecretary of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.  “We found that many car dealerships are charging consumers exorbitant fees for costs that are negligible and in some cases telling car buyers these are required charges by state or federal law, which just isn‘t true.”

The survey of 180 car dealerships across the state found:

• 128 dealerships charged documentation fees

• Fees ranged from $45 to $399

• About 50 dealerships charged between $275 and $300

• New car dealerships were more likely to charge the fees than used car dealerships

• Dealerships gave various reasons for the fees, including  “September 11th and Homeland Security issues.”

Some dealers also claimed the fees were for title or registry purposes. State law requires that title or registry fees must be separately itemized and cannot exceed the cost charged by the registry. The Office of Consumer Aff airs will refer some of these car dealerships to the state Attorney General‘s Office for further investigation. Complete survey results can be found at: http://www.mass.gov/consumer.

Generally, “document preparation” fees are not revealed until the final stages of a negotiation over the price of an automobile. The Office of Consumer Affairs advises consumers to make these fees part of the negotiation process and to bargain with a dealer to take the fees off the final agreed upon price.

“Car buyers need to look closely at what they are being charged for”,  Anthony said. “And consumers should shop around, especially if a particular dealership tries to hit you with non-negotiable documentation fees.”

Editors Note: There is a statute that deals with this practice by dealers. It says: “Dealers who procure, or assist purchasers to procure, certificates of title for vehicles sold by them, may charge the purchasers for such services not more than five dollars for each transaction.” (M.G.L. c. 90D, §33)

Survivors must have had damage to their homes or loss of utilities on or after the June 1 incident that forced them to relocate.

They must register with FEMA to determine if they are eligible for lodging reimbursement. They must provide verifiable receipts showing their name, the name of the lodging facility, dates of occupancy and the amount incurred. If they are insured, FEMA will need to see their insurance denial or settlement in order to ensure there is no duplication of benefits.

There are several ways to register with FEMA.  Please click here for details.

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (“Division”) has been informed, however, that some insurance companies and insurance producers are being asked to provide certificates of insurance that purport to amend, extend or otherwise alter the terms of insurance provided by the underlying policy. Certificates of insurance are not the proper method by which to amend a policy, that amending such certificates of insurance may create an errors and omissions exposure, and that this activity may violate the Massachusetts insurance laws.

Certificates of insurance are not actual policies of insurance, and as certificates of insurance, they do not and cannot be used to amend, extend, or alter insurance coverage afforded by the underlying policies.

Massachusetts law requires that all insurance policy forms, as well as riders, endorsements and applications designed to be attached to such policy forms, be filed with the Division. When an insurer or insurance producer executes a certificate of insurance that attempts to do more than merely offer a synopsis or summary of the policy, the insurer or producer risks the creation of obligations that are not payable by the underlying policy. Should the additional terms and conditions contained in the certificate of insurance be in conflict with, or otherwise alter, the policy forms, riders, endorsements or applications the insurer has filed with the Division, the insurer and/or insurance producer may have violated M.G.L. c. 175, § 2B by issuing, delivering or otherwise using a policy form that has not been filed with the Division.

An insurer or insurance producer who issues a certificate of insurance that attempts to amend, extend, or otherwise alter the insurance policy or otherwise intentionally misrepresents the terms of an actual or proposed insurance policy may be in violation of these, and other, insurance statutes. Insurers and insurance producers may not execute or otherwise issue a certificate of insurance that includes any statements or language that purport to amend, extend, or alter coverage or indicate that a certificate holder has a right to notice of cancellation, nonrenewal, or any similar notice not specifically contained in the underlying policy. This prohibition applies to certificates of insurance, as well as all other documents that do not purport to be certificates of insurance, such as a formal opinion or other document issued or signed by an insurer or an insurance producer.

SBA provides low-interest business loans of up to $2 million to cover both repair of physical damage and to help a business overcome distaster-related economic injury. Rates will not exceed 4 percent for businesses with no other credit options and repayment terms of up to 30 years are available. If your business property secures and existing mortgage, a refinance of that mortgage can be included in the new loan. For more information, call (800) 659-2955 [TTY (800) 877-8339]

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Provides unemployment benefits to individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a presidentially declared major disaster. Self-employed persons who cannot work as a result of the disaster can also apply for benefits. For more information, call (877) 872-5627 [TTY (877) 889-5627]

FEMA Assistance

May be available for sole proprietors who have disaster-related damage to vehicles or tools needed for their jobs. For more information, call (800) 632-3362 [TTY (800) 462-7585]

IRS Disaster Relief

May allow you to deduct disaster-related losses from your prior year’s tax return. Filing an amended return may allow you to receive an immediate tax refund.

It is a free, public communication tool where those affected by disasters can register on the site and post messages that they are safe. Loved ones can then conduct a search on the site to view the posted messages. To access the website, please go to https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php You can enter yourself as “Safe and Well” if you were impacted by the storm, or search for a loved one you cannot locate.

People who do not have access to a computer and the internet, can call the City’s 3-1-1 Call Center which can assist you with entering yourself into the system or searching for a loved one. The number into the 3-1-1 Center is 413-736-3111.

FEMA and other federal agencies are currently in the middle of  conducting an assessment. This assessment and further federal action may lead to resources becoming available in the future, but nothing as of yet. They’ve provided links to various business assistance agencies that can be found at the link below, but until the fed completes the assessment phase, no one has funds.  http://www.springfieldcityhall.com/planning/171.0.html

The Administration is also working with landlords to secure temporary office space for impacted businesses in downtown Springfield.

Info for INDIVIDUALS:

Individuals and families impacted by the storms are encouraged to visit one of three new Massachusetts Storm Assistance Centers listed below.  The Centers will be open today from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. thereafter, including Saturday and Sunday, until further notice.  State government agencies will work collaboratively to meet the immediate health, human service, housing and employment needs of those affected.

Springfield: Department of Transitional Assistance Office

95 Liberty Street, Springfield

(413) 858-1000

Palmer: Department of Developmental Service Central/West Regional Office

171 State Avenue, Monson/Palmer Line, 01069

(413) 283-3411

Southbridge: Department of Transitional Assistance Office

1 North Street, Southbridge

(508) 765-2400

Staff will be on site to help individuals and families obtain cash assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, seek crisis counseling support services, and enroll in a range of other available benefits

Storm assistance centers are staffed by public and private sector economic development leaders and non-profit partners who can offer impacted businesses and homeowners advice on available state and federal resources that can assist with repairs, rebuilding and relocation.