Esurance, the direct-to-consumer insurance company, announced the launch of Fuelcaster on Tuesday—a free online tool that predicts whether gas prices will rise or fall.

Fuelcaster empowers cost-conscious U.S. consumers. to choose the best time to fill up. Other apps and online offerings only show consumers current gas prices, but Fuelcaster is the first tool in the United States that actually predicts whether those prices will rise or fall in the next 24 hours.

To use Fuelcaster, consumers enter their ZIP Code and Fuelcaster will display a “buy” or “wait” recommendation based on whether the price of gas will rise or fall. It will also display up to 10 gas stations with the lowest price in the area and their current prices.

Fuelcaster is a web application that is available on any device with Internet access, allowing users to access driving directions to gas stations through their preferred mapping options. Additionally, by bookmarking Fuelcaster, users can save a list of their three favorite locations, allowing for quick and easy retrieval of the latest gas prices in their area. View the Fuelcaster video here on YouTube.

“With Fuelcaster, we are broadening our reach to connect with people who may not be Esurance customers to help save them money,” said Esurance President and CEO Gary Tolman, in a statement.

How It Works

Developed in partnership with Deutsch LA’s Inventioni.st group, Fuelcaster is powered by GasBuddy™ and uses a proprietary algorithm that incorporates pricing signals from industry sources to estimate whether gas prices will rise or fall in a particular ZIP Code. The tool can predict price changes with a high degree of confidence and gives consumers the information they need to make smarter decisions about when to buy gas.

“Great marketing solves problems for people,” said Deutsch LA Chief Digital Officer Winston Binch. “Fuelcaster does just that by helping potential and current customers make smarter fuel purchases through a simple, elegant, and easy to use web experience. It squarely delivers against the brand’s promise of modern insurance. It’s the type of marketing that more brands need to be investing in.”

About Esurance

Esurance, a member of the Allstate family, provides auto, homeowners, motorcycle, and renters insurance direct to consumers online, over the phone, and through select agents, including sister company, Answer Financial.

Source: Esurance