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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

How would you compare two car insurers on cover, claims support and excess for our family?

For a family in New Zealand, I’d compare car insurers on three things: what protection you actually get, how well they support you when something goes wrong, and what you’d have to pay out of pocket after an accident. I’d also look at the total annual cost, because the cheapest premium isn’t always the best value for a family.

The key is to compare the same type of cover for both insurers, with the same vehicles, drivers and excess assumptions.

What I’d compare

1. Cover and exclusions

Look at comprehensive cover, agreed versus market value, accidental damage, theft, glass and windscreen cover, natural disasters, replacement vehicles and child-seat cover. Check whether all family drivers are covered, including young or learner drivers if relevant.

2. Claims support

Compare how easy it is to lodge a claim, access a repairer, get updates and arrange a temporary vehicle. Check whether repairs are guaranteed, how total-loss settlements are calculated, and what happens if you disagree with a claim decision.

3. Excess and overall cost

Compare the standard excess, additional excesses for young or inexperienced drivers, glass excess, theft-related conditions and any excess waiver. Check the annual premium as well as the maximum excess you could face for a claim.

A practical New Zealand comparison

As a starting point, here are three insurers worth comparing. This is a comparison of published benefits, not a ranking of their claims performance.

Feature AMI State AA Insurance
Comprehensive cover Accidents, theft, weather damage and more Comprehensive Car Insurance | Full Vehicle Cover Accidents, theft, weather damage and more Comprehensive Car Insurance | Full Vehicle Cover Comprehensive damage cover with agreed-value settlement Comprehensive Car Insurance Quote Online
Windscreen excess Excess-free cover is an optional extra Excess-free cover is an optional extra Excess-free cover is an optional extra Can I include excess-free glass cover on my car policy?
Child car seats Replacement benefit included, subject to terms Comprehensive Car Insurance | Full Vehicle Cover Child car seats included, subject to terms Comprehensive Car Insurance | Full Vehicle Cover Check the applicable policy wording
Repair assurance Guarantee on covered repairs by preferred repairers Guarantee on covered repairs by preferred repairers Lifetime repair guarantee when using an AA Insurance repairer Comprehensive Car Insurance Quote Online
Excess Confirm your quoted excess and any additional excesses Advertises a $300 standard excess on eligible new policies Comprehensive Car Insurance | Full Vehicle Cover Confirm your quoted excess and any additional excesses

For all three, the full policy wording and your quote matter more than the headline benefits. Temporary transport, excesses and eligibility conditions can make a meaningful difference.

Let's compare the two insurers you're considering

Which two insurance companies would you like me to compare? For example, AMI vs State, AA Insurance vs AMI, or two others.

If you have their quotes, you can share the annual premiums, excesses and cover summaries. I'll compare them side by side and give you a clear recommendation for your family, including which offers better protection and which is better value.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

How would you compare two car insurers on cover, claims support and excess for our family?

Comparing car insurance policies for a family in New Zealand requires looking beyond just the headline price tag. The key pillars to evaluate—Cover, Claims Support, and Excess—often vary significantly between major providers like AA Insurance, AMI, Tower, State, and Cove.

Here is how to compare them across these three critical areas for a family household:

1. Cover (What is Included & Family-Specific Perks)

When insuring a family vehicle, you want to look closely at standard inclusions versus costly add-ons:

  • Agreed Value vs. Market Value: Most traditional insurers (like AA Insurance) lean toward Agreed Value on comprehensive policies so you know exactly what payout to expect if the car is written off. Others rely heavily on Market Value, which fluctuates.
  • Family Drivers (Young/Teen Drivers): If you have teenagers or young adults learning to drive or using the family car, check how policies handle younger drivers. Some insurers apply a blanket exclusion or high additional excess for drivers under 21 or 25, while others manage it through a per-incident age excess.
  • Key Perks & Extras: Tower stands out for breadth of standard benefits—offering excess-free key replacement (up to $1,000) on comprehensive policies if keys are lost or stolen. Other providers might charge an excess or treat glass/windscreen cover and temporary rental cars as optional add-ons.

2. Claims Support & Reputation

When an accident happens, a smooth claims process is invaluable for a busy family:

  • Market Reputation: AA Insurance consistently ranks at the top or near the top for customer trust and claims handling satisfaction in New Zealand consumer surveys.
  • Repair Network & Choice: Look at whether the insurer forces you into a restricted network of repairers or offers flexibility. For instance, policies like AA Insurance's feature "choice repair" allowances.
  • Digital vs. Traditional: Insurers like Tower provide a streamlined digital-first mobile app experience for logging and tracking claims, whereas providers like AMI and AA Insurance offer a mix of phone support, digital channels, and physical branches/motorhubs.

3. Excess Structure

The excess is your out-of-pocket contribution when you make a claim. When comparing two specific insurers, look at:

  • Standard Excess: Typically ranges from $400 upwards. You can usually adjust this voluntarily (higher excess for a lower premium, or vice versa). AMI, for example, allows for lower baseline excesses on certain tiers.
  • Additional Excesses: Pay close attention to the fine print regarding unnamed drivers, international license holders, and under-25 drivers. These stack on top of your standard excess and can make a minor fender-bender unexpectedly expensive if an eligible family member isn't properly listed.
  • Uninsured Driver Waiver: Check if the insurer waives your excess entirely if your family car is hit by an identifiable uninsured third party—a valuable feature given the volume of uninsured vehicles on NZ roads.

Quick Comparison Framework

Feature Traditional/Service-Focused (e.g., AA Insurance) Digital-First / Customisable (e.g., Tower) Value / Direct Brands (e.g., AMI / State / Cove)
Claims Standing Highly rated for customer service and claims handling. Fast, streamlined digital and app-based tracking. Competitive pricing models with wide regional footprints.
Key Inclusions Often features agreed value standard; add-ons for glass/cars. Generous built-in perks like key replacement limits. Variable tier structures (e.g., Cove offers strictly comprehensive online-only).
Multi-Policy Bundles Strong discount options if bundling home, contents, and car. Good digital multi-policy discounts available. Heavily leverages IAG group multi-policy savings (AMI/State).
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

How would you compare two car insurers on cover, claims support and excess for our family?

AI Overview

To give you an accurate comparison, I will need to know which two insurance companies you are looking at. However, we can look at how New Zealand car insurers generally stack up against each other across cover, claims support, and excess so you know exactly what to look for.

Here is a general breakdown of how major Kiwi insurers (like AA Insurance, AMI, State, and Tower) compare on these three pillars:

📊 NZ Car Insurance Comparison Framework

Feature Comprehensive Cover Claims Support Excess Options
Standard Offering Covers accidental damage, theft, fire, and third-party liability. Most include agreeed value over market value. 24/7 online claims lodging. Standard digital tracking portals. Standard excess usually starts around $400 to $500.
Premium / Standout Features Free windscreen repair, no-claim bonus protection , and accommodation if stranded far from home. Award-winning customer service (e.g., AA Insurance frequently wins Consumer NZ awards). Flexible excess (raising it lowers your premium; lowering it increases your premium).
Common Exclusions Wear and tear, mechanical breakdowns, or drivers not listed on the policy (depending on the insurer). Slower processing times during major regional weather events. Additional excesses applied automatically for drivers under 25.

🔍 What to Look For (Family Focus)

When comparing your two chosen insurers, check how they handle these family-specific details:

  • Everyday Drivers: Does the policy cover your spouse or teenage children automatically, or do they need to be named drivers to avoid a higher excess?

  • Young Driver Excess: If you have teenagers learning to drive, look closely at the under-25 excess. This is added on top of your standard excess and can vary significantly between companies.

  • Child Restraints: Look for policies that automatically cover the replacement of baby car seats after an accident, even if they don't look damaged.

To help me give you a direct, head-to-head comparison, could you tell me:

  • Which two insurers are you currently considering?

  • Do you have drivers under 25 in the family?

  • Are you looking for Comprehensive cover or Third Party only?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

How would you compare two car insurers on cover, claims support and excess for our family?

Comparing car insurance options for a family involves looking past the initial price tag to see how policies perform when you actually need them. Independent resources like Consumer NZ Car Insurance Buying Guide and MoneyHub Car Insurance Comparison emphasize breaking down policies across three core pillars: cover quality, claims support, and excess structures.

1. Comparing Cover (Policy Inclusions & Limits)

  • Scope of Comprehensive Policies: Check whether the policy is truly comprehensive or restricted. Family cars often need broader inclusions such as accidental damage, fire, theft, flood, and vandalism.

  • Valuation Type: Determine if the insurer offers Agreed Value (a fixed amount locked in annually) or Market Value (what the car is worth right before the accident). Agreed value provides certainty, whereas market value can fluctuate.

  • Family-Friendly Extras: Look for valuable add-ons or built-in benefits like emergency repairs, temporary rental car cover after an accident, child car seat replacement (crucial if you carry kids), and lifetime repair guarantees on authorized workmanship.

  • Exclusions and Restrictions: Pay attention to age limits or penalties for younger/inexperienced drivers, which matter if teenagers or young adults are on the family policy.

2. Comparing Claims Support (Service & Reliability)

  • Reputation and Ratings: Look at consumer satisfaction scores and customer reviews regarding how smoothly claims are processed. Independent review platforms like Canstar Blue provide customer satisfaction ratings for major local providers like AA Insurance, AMI, State, and Tower.

  • Repair Networks: Check if the insurer forces you to use their approved repairer network or gives you freedom of choice. Approved networks often streamline the process with a guarantee on repairs for as long as you own the vehicle.

  • Digital vs. Phone Experience: Assess how easy it is to lodge a claim—whether you can do it seamlessly via an online portal/app or if you prefer a 24/7 call centre.

3. Comparing Excess (The Out-of-Pocket Costs)

  • Standard Excess: This is the baseline amount you pay out-of-pocket per claim. A higher standard excess lowers your regular premium, but a lower excess provides better budget stability if an incident occurs.

  • Additional Excess Types: Watch out for stacked or cumulative excesses. Family policies frequently trigger age/inexperienced driver excesses if a younger household member is driving. Some providers also charge specific unlisted driver or restricted licence excesses.

  • Waivers and Perks: See if the insurer waives the excess under specific conditions (e.g., if your car is parked and hit by an identified third party, or for windscreen/key replacement bonuses offered by some brands).

If you can share the specific names of the two insurers you are looking at and whether you have young drivers in the household , I can provide a more tailored comparison of their offerings.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026