Blog – Vernfonk Insurance

Owning and operating a car is a necessity for most of us — and it can be an expensive one. In addition to the high cost of buying or leasing your vehicle, registration and licensing, maintenance and repairs, and car insurance, you now have an even more basic budgetary concern. The price of gasoline is skyrocketing during these inflationary times. 

This is particularly challenging for Oregon drivers. The West Coast is among the most expensive regions of the US for the price of gasoline, and Oregon was recently ranked the fifth costliest state overall for gas. 

There’s not too much you can do to bring down the cost at the pumps, but there are several actions you can take to reduce how often you have to visit a filling station. Here are 7 ways to help your bank account while gas prices are high. 

1. Combine Trips to Save Gasoline

Start by looking at your family’s schedule. If one of the kids must be picked up after soccer practice at 5 p.m. every weeknight, figure out what other errands you can run at that same time and in the same general vicinity. If there’s a supermarket near the school, add to a shopping list until you have enough items to make a stop before or after pickup for fuel-efficiency. 

Encourage your family to let you know ahead of time where they have to be or what they need, so you can work several errands into one trip. 

2. Shopping Online Saves Gas

As gasoline prices rise, consider transporting more goods via laptop or smartphone. If you have a contract with an online vendor, you might even qualify for cost-free delivery. This could be an excellent way of keeping the family fleet idle for longer. 

3. Get a Gasoline Price-Comparison App

There are several apps you can download to your phone that will help you find the least expensive fill-up at a gas station near you. These include GasBuddy, Gas Guru, and Waze, among others. The best of these are free and can lead you to the most competitively priced, conveniently located stops in real-time. 

4. Save on Gas by Being a Smart Oregon Driver

Your driving habits can burn gas faster — or keep more of it in your tank for longer. Constant speeding and braking will not only burn rubber but also reduce your gas mileage considerably. Driving slower and coasting to stops can save gas and reduce what you pay at the pumps. 

As you stop to pick up the kids from soccer practice, don’t leave the engine idling while you wait. Sure, your favorite music is on the radio, and the air conditioning feels like more of a necessity than a luxury, but is it worth the gasoline you’ll waste at the prices you now have to pay? 

5. Maintain Your Vehicle for Optimum Fuel Efficiency

Be kind to your car. Regular tune-ups, a change of air filters when needed, and proper tire inflation will result in better gas mileage. As an added bonus, your car and tires will last longer. 

While you’re at it, take a look in your trunk. Many of us use it to store all too many items whose combined weight can greatly impact your mileage. 

6. Use Public Transit or Commute in Oregon to Save Gas Costs

City buses, subways, or trains aren’t options for all of us. But if you live in a city with an efficient public transit system, use it and spend less than what your solo gasoline-powered trips will cost you. 

On a similar note, can you make arrangements to commute with others? Maybe you live near coworkers, all headed to and from the same address. Or perhaps you and other parents can take turns picking up the kids after school activities. The fuel savings could be considerable. Also, you might realize a car insurance discount by driving fewer miles. 

You might also consider doing your health a favor along with your pocketbook. If you can walk or ride a bike some of the time, you’ll rediscover how enjoyable (and free!) those pursuits can be. 

7. Is Buying an Electric Vehicle to Save on Gas Prices the Way to Go?

Is an all-electric vehicle, or EV, in your plans for the near future? If so, you might never pay for a gallon of gasoline again. You’ll benefit the environment while pocketing real savings at the gas pumps you’ll no longer visit. 

An EV is still beyond the transportation budgets of many people, but prices are falling as the technology improves. You might also consider the gasoline-saving benefits of a hybrid vehicle. These typically cost less than all-electric vehicles but have both electric and gasoline fuel options. Either approach could result in dramatic gasoline savings for your family. 

Find Affordable Auto Insurance in Oregon Today

We can’t do anything to cut your gasoline costs, but we can — and do — help Oregon motorists get dramatic savings on car insurance. Call us at (800) 455-8276. You can also visit an independent Vern Fonk Insurance agent at an Oregon office location near you. Or get a quick online car insurance quote.