AARP Bulletin - November 2010

Save a Buck Your Money
Put a Brake on
Oil Changes
One Free Bite Is All You Get
Got a dog? Make sure it’s socia- premium or exclude your dog from
ble and trained or you may be coverage. Some firms require a liabil-
paying higher insurance pre- ity waiver or charge more for breeds
miums. Dog bites accounted for more deemed dangerous such as pit bulls
than a third of all homeowner or renter and rott weilers. So be a responsible
policy liability claims last year, with an owner: Take your dog to obedience
average claim of $24,840, says the In- school, have it spayed or neutered
surance Information Institute. Most (unneutered dogs bite more often),
companies will cover dog bites, but and keep an eye on children (the most
one free bite is all you get. After that, common victims). If necessary, use a
your company may charge a higher leash or a muzzle. —Joan Heilman
Do you go by the old rule that a car’s oil
should be changed every 3,000 miles?
New research by the automotive web-
site Edmunds.com says changing oil
that often may just line the pockets of
the local mechanic. Oil chemistry and
engine technology have come a long way
—Edmunds found that car manufactur-
ers recommended an average 7,800 miles
between changes for 2010 models. That could
save you $1,000 or more in five years. If your car has a
built-in oil life monitoring system, a dashboard light
appears when it’s time to change. Otherwise, check
your owner’s manual. —Sid Kirchheimer