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Evidence · Car insurance

Every question, every answer, every source

Explore all 183 car-insurance questions and the 728 answers saved on 11 October 2026. Read the original responses and download the tables behind the study’s comparisons, sources, sentiment and factual checks.

questions
183
answers saved, of 732 planned
728
consumer situations
12
named regions
16
AI platforms
4

01

Every question, with its answers

Each question went to the four AI platforms. All were collected with a New Zealand setting. Open a question to read every captured answer in full.

Showing 20 of 183 questions

Show all 183

02

The tables behind the study

Every figure on the study page comes from these tables. They are CSV files, which open in any spreadsheet.

  • Questions

    questions.csv

    One row per question, with its exact saved wording.

    Question ID, source references, question, consumer situation, named regions, question group and collection setting

    183rows

    Download questions (CSV)

  • Answers

    answers.csv

    One row per captured answer, with its full text.

    Answer ID, question ID, platform, collection setting, consumer situation, named regions and full answer

    728rows

    Download answers (CSV)

  • Sources by answer

    sources.csv

    One row per website recorded as a source of an answer.

    Answer ID, question ID, assistant, collection setting, website and publisher type

    4,213rows

    Download sources by answer (CSV)

  • Checks against primary sources

    checks.csv

    One row per stated assertion checked, for one platform.

    Check, question and answer IDs, assistant, exact passage, verdict, primary-source finding, URL and date

    96rows

    Download checks against primary sources (CSV)

  • Consumer recommendation coding

    consumer-recommendation-coding.csv

    One row per reviewed provider role in a consumer-selection answer.

    Answer ID, question ID, consumer, platform, provider, role, counted recommendation, exact passage and conditions

    301rows

    Download consumer recommendation coding (CSV)

  • Consumer selection membership

    consumer-selection-membership.csv

    One row per answer in the matched consumer-selection comparison.

    Answer ID, question ID, consumer, platform, question group and full text; the same twelve questions per platform

    48rows

    Download consumer selection membership (CSV)

  • Ongoing support coding

    support-coding.csv

    One row per reviewed named-provider role in an eligible support answer.

    Answer ID, question ID, consumer, platform, provider, role, support-preference decision and exact passage

    49rows

    Download ongoing support coding (CSV)

  • Ongoing support membership

    support-membership.csv

    One row per answer in the actual consumer-support group.

    Answer ID, question ID, consumer, platform, question group and full text; acquisition validation is excluded

    32rows

    Download ongoing support membership (CSV)

  • Regional recommendation coding

    regional-recommendation-coding.csv

    One row per reviewed provider role in a region-named selection answer.

    Answer ID, question ID, named consumer region, platform, provider, recommendation decision and exact passage

    440rows

    Download regional recommendation coding (CSV)

  • Regional selection membership

    regional-selection-membership.csv

    One row per answer in the matched regional comparison.

    Answer ID, question ID, named consumer region, platform and equal-comparison membership; sixteen questions per platform

    64rows

    Download regional selection membership (CSV)

  • Insurer sentiment

    insurer-sentiment.csv

    One row per unique saved claim about an insurer in a selection answer.

    Claim, question and answer IDs, insurer, saved stance, exact passage and original-answer offsets

    1,926rows

    Download insurer sentiment (CSV)

  • Recorded source URLs

    source-urls.csv

    One row per recorded answer, website and URL association.

    Answer ID, question ID, platform, website, URL, source records and presence in the captured answer text

    6,056rows

    Download recorded source urls (CSV)

Use these tables to trace findings back to the original questions and answers. The full text of each answer is also on this page, under its question.

03

Read in full and checked

Some answers were read in detail or checked against official sources. Those appear on the study page, beside the findings they support.

ChatGPT · New Zealand

Which car insurance companies are worth comparing in NZ?

If you're comparing car insurance in New Zealand, I'd get quotes from a mix of the big established insurers, online-focused providers and at least one option that may offer a different price or policy structure. The cheapest premium isn't necessarily the best deal — excesses, cover for accidental damage, windscreen protection and how your car's agreed value is handled can make a real difference.

NZ car insurers worth comparing

1. State Insurance

Best starting point

State is my first pick to quote based on the latest 2026 Canstar research: it won Car Insurer of the Year for the third consecutive year. Its comprehensive policy was recognised for pricing, cover and customer satisfaction. Best Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards

Website: state.co.nz

2. AA Insurance

A strong all-round option, particularly worth checking if you want competitive pricing and repair benefits. It won Canstar's 2026 Outstanding Value award for the third consecutive year, with an optional excess-free windscreen benefit and a lifetime repair guarantee through approved repairers. Best Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards

Website: aainsurance.co.nz

3. Cove

Worth a quote if you prefer buying and managing insurance online. Add Cove to your shortlist to see whether its price is competitive for your particular car and driving history.

Website: coveinsurance.co.nz

4. AMI

A useful mainstream insurer to compare for comprehensive and lower-cost cover. Include it even if you already have a quote from State or AA; the cheapest option can change with the vehicle and driver profile.

Website: ami.co.nz

5. Tower Insurance

Another worthwhile quote, especially if you want to compare different excess levels, agreed-value options and available discounts. Check its policy wording for theft-related excesses if you drive a commonly stolen model. Car insurance buying guide

Website: tower.co.nz

6. Trade Me Insurance

Worth including in your price comparison. Its car insurance is underwritten by Tower, so compare the actual premiums, benefits and excesses rather than assuming it is a completely separate insurance provider. Compare Car Insurance Providers NZ

Website: trademe.co.nz/a/insurance

7. FMG

A good additional option to investigate, particularly if personalised service matters to you. FMG performed strongly in Canstar's 2026 customer satisfaction research, winning the seniors' car and home insurance satisfaction award. Best Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards

Website: fmg.co.nz

8. MAS

Consider MAS if you value customer experience as well as price. It topped Canstar's 2026 car insurance customer satisfaction award. Check eligibility and get a quote to see whether its offering suits you. Best Car Insurance Star Ratings and Awards

Website: mas.co.nz

How I'd compare them

For most drivers, I'd start by getting quotes from State, AA Insurance, Cove, AMI and Tower, then add Trade Me Insurance and FMG or MAS where suitable. Consumer NZ recommends getting at least three quotes and checking the policy terms carefully. Car insurance buying guide

Compare each quote on the same basis:

What to compare Why it matters
Annual premium Your actual yearly cost, including fees
Standard excess What you pay towards a claim
Agreed vs market value How your payout is determined if the car is written off
Windscreen cover Whether glass claims have an excess
Theft excess Some vehicles may attract an additional excess
Rental car and repairs Whether a replacement car and approved repairs are covered

Want me to narrow it down for your car?

The best insurer can vary significantly depending on the car, the driver's age and the cover level. Car insurance buying guideBest Car Insurance NZ | Compare, Quote and Save

Tell me these three things and I can suggest which providers are most worth quoting first.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

Which car insurance companies are worth comparing in NZ?

When comparing car insurance in New Zealand, the best choice depends on whether you value low premiums, high-tier policy features (like excess-free benefits), or customer service reputation.

The New Zealand car insurance market features several distinct providers worth comparing, categorized by their strengths:

1. The Major Household Brands (Best for Established Support & Trust)

  • AA Insurance: Consistently rated highly by consumer research (such as Canstar) for claims satisfaction and overall value. They offer strong standard benefits, lifetime repair guarantees through their network, and great customer support infrastructure.
  • AMI & State: Both are massive direct insurers backed by IAG New Zealand. They are widely known for flexible policy options, adjustable excesses, and multiple physical hub locations or extensive phone support lines if you prefer dealing with people face-to-face or over the phone.

2. The Comprehensive Feature Leader

  • Tower: Frequently scores top marks for having some of the most comprehensive standard policy benefits on the market. For instance, their comprehensive policies often feature high or excess-free allowances for lost/stolen keys and robust optional add-ons. They also pioneered advanced risk-based pricing tailored heavily to your specific address and flood/hazard profile.

3. The Challenger & Digital-First Option (Best for Value)

  • Cove: A digital-first insurer that keeps overhead low by avoiding traditional branches or expensive television advertising. Consumer research frequently highlights them for highly competitive, budget-friendly quotes coupled with fast, app- or web-driven claims processing.

4. Niche & Specialist Providers

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society): A member-owned mutual insurer traditionally catering to specific professions (like health and medical professionals). They frequently win high praise and loyalty awards for exceptional member service.
  • Assurant / Protecta & Trade Me Insurance: Good alternatives that often target specific demographics, vehicle types, or partner platforms with unique pricing structures.

Tips for Getting the Best Deal in NZ

  • Use Free Comparison Tools: Platforms like Quashed (free online comparison) or independent review benchmarks like Consumer NZ and Canstar allow you to pit multiple quotes against each other using identical policy inputs.
  • Check the Excess & Agreed vs. Market Value: A lower premium usually means a higher voluntary excess (the amount you pay upfront during a claim). Ensure you check whether your car is insured for Agreed Value or Market Value, especially if you drive an import or a vehicle that fluctuates rapidly in price.
  • Bundle Policies: Many major insurers (like AA, AMI, and Tower) offer multi-policy discounts if you bundle your car insurance with house and contents insurance.

Are you looking to prioritize the lowest possible monthly premium, or do you have specific coverage needs (like a younger driver on the policy or an electric vehicle)?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

Which car insurance companies are worth comparing in NZ?

AI Overview

When looking for car insurance in New Zealand, the market features a mix of massive corporate insurers, agile digital-first startups, and highly rated member-owned mutuals. Because pricing across these companies can vary significantly for the exact same vehicle and driver profile, comparing a few from different categories is highly recommended.

The top car insurance companies worth comparing in NZ are organized below by what they do best:

🏆 Top Rated for Customer Satisfaction

If you value customer service and claims handling over the lowest price, these two consistently dominate the annual Consumer NZ People's Choice awards.

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society): A member-owned mutual originally founded for professionals, MAS consistently earns near-perfect satisfaction ratings. Their policies frequently include perks like excess-free windscreen cover and roadside assistance automatically.

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group): Though traditionally rural-focused, FMG provides stellar car insurance nationwide and routinely ties with MAS for top honors in customer satisfaction surveys.

📱 Best Digital-First & Budget Options

If you want a fast, mobile-friendly experience and highly competitive premiums, look into the newer digital disruptors.

  • Cove: A modern, online-only provider backed by the global MS&AD group. Independent price testing often ranks Cove as one of the cheapest comprehensive options on the market, offering quick online setup and flexible payment models.

🏛️ The Mainstream Heavyweights

These are the household names with massive financial backing and extensive policy features. They are staples for any quick online quote comparison.

  • AA Insurance: A joint venture between Vero and the NZAA. Highly regarded for claims satisfaction, AA Insurance offers a unique Lifetime Repair Guarantee if you use their approved repairers.

  • Tower: An NZX-listed Kiwi insurer that handles a massive volume of claims entirely instantly via automated online systems. Tower is a great option for younger drivers or those seeking strong "new-for-old" replacement policies.

  • State & AMI: Both of these massive direct-to-consumer brands are owned and underwritten by IAG New Zealand. State often attracts customers with lower standard excesses and unique defensive driving perks, while AMI stands out for providing free roadside rescue on comprehensive plans.

Direct Comparison Overview

Insurer Known For Key Standout Feature
MAS Customer Satisfaction Excess-free windscreen & roadside assistance standard
FMG Customer Service Top-tier customer support reputation
Cove Value & Tech Digital-first platform, very competitive premiums
AA Insurance Reliability Lifetime Repair Guarantee via approved network
Tower Fast Claims Automated online claims; 2-year new-car replacement
State Low Base Excess Careless driving defense cover up to $10k
AMI Roadside Support Nationwide free Roadside Rescue included

💡 Quick Tips for Comparing NZ Policies

  • Market vs. Agreed Value: Clarify whether the insurer pays out what the car was worth right before the crash (Market Value) or a pre-determined, set dollar amount (Agreed Value).

  • Check the High-Theft Excess: If you drive a highly targeted car model in NZ (like a Toyota Aqua or Mazda Demio), some insurers will heavily increase your excess or premiums.

  • Pay Annually: Most NZ providers give a significant discount (often around 10% to 15%) if you pay the entire year upfront rather than monthly.

To narrow this down, what make and model of car are you looking to insure, and are there drivers under 25 who will be using it?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

Which car insurance companies are worth comparing in NZ?

When looking for car insurance in New Zealand , pricing and policy inclusions can vary dramatically between providers for the exact same driver profile and vehicle. Because quotes depend heavily on your specific car model, location, age, and driving history, comparing multiple options is essential.

The primary car insurance providers worth comparing in NZ include:

  • AA Insurance : Consistently ranked high for customer trust and service satisfaction, frequently winning industry awards (such as Consumer NZ's People's Choice). They offer comprehensive, third-party fire & theft, and third-party policies.

  • AMI Insurance : One of New Zealand's largest personal insurers, backed by IAG NZ. They provide straightforward comprehensive and third-party cover options, and operate entirely online and over the phone.

  • State Insurance : Another major IAG-backed brand in New Zealand offering competitive online quoting, regular promotional offers (such as digital Visa sign-up bonuses), and reliable digital policy management.

  • Tower Insurance : Well-known for fully digital experiences and flexible policy adjustments. Tower also underwrites and powers other popular public-facing brands like Trade Me Insurance , making them a key player to review or cross-compare. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • Cove Insurance : A modern, app-and-online-focused insurer that has gained traction in the NZ market for streamlined mobile policy control and competitive introductory promotions.

  • Bank-affiliated Insurers (e.g., Westpac , ASB , BNZ): If you already bank with one of the major institutions, checking their vehicle policies can sometimes unlock bundle or multi-policy perks. (Note that many major banks underwrite through partners like IAG or AIA). [Canstar NZ]

Tips for Comparing Quotes in NZ

  1. Check cover types: Ensure you are comparing apples-to-apples—look closely at whether quotes use Agreed Value or Market Value , and check the standard Excess amounts (higher excesses lower your upfront premium, but cost more if you claim).
  2. Use multi-insurer audits: Independent resources like MoneyHub Car Insurance Comparison or aggregator tools like Quashed can help streamline looking at multiple providers at once.
  3. Watch for changing discounts: Keep in mind that several major insurers (including Tower, AA, AMI, and State) have moved away from traditional multi-policy stacking discounts, meaning individual line-item pricing matters more than ever.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

  • Your vehicle's make, model, and year
  • Your preferred level of cover (Comprehensive vs. Third Party)

I can give you more targeted insights on what to look out for with that specific vehicle type in NZ.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026