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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

What would changing from comprehensive to third-party actually expose me to?

In New Zealand, changing your car insurance from comprehensive to third-party usually means you save on premiums, but take on much more of the financial risk yourself if your car is damaged or stolen.

The biggest difference is this: third-party insurance is primarily there to protect you from the cost of damage you cause to other people's property, not to pay for damage to your own car.

Here's what that means in practical terms.

What you'd be exposed to

Situation Comprehensive Third-party only
You crash into another car Your car and the other car are covered, subject to policy terms Other person's car is covered; yours isn't
You accidentally hit a fence or garage Usually covered You pay for damage to your own car; your policy covers eligible damage to the fence or garage
Someone hits your parked car and drives off Usually covered You may have to pay all your repair costs
Your car is stolen Usually covered You bear the loss
Your car is damaged by a storm or flood Usually covered, subject to exclusions You bear the loss
You crack your windscreen Usually covered, sometimes with a special excess Generally not covered
An uninsured driver damages your car Usually covered, subject to terms Some policies offer limited protection if you can identify the driver

Sources: New Zealand Consumer Protection and the Insurance Council of New Zealand. Car insuranceMotor Insurance: What You Need to Know

The biggest financial risk

Imagine your car is worth $8,000 and you cause an accident that writes it off, while also damaging another car.

With comprehensive cover

Your insurer generally pays for the insured value of your car and the eligible damage to the other vehicle, less any applicable excess.

With third-party only

Your insurer covers eligible damage to the other vehicle, but you could lose your entire $8,000 car as well as having to fund a replacement yourself.

The exact payout under comprehensive cover depends on whether your policy uses agreed or market value and its other terms. Car insuranceCar ownership and insurance

Is there a middle ground?

Yes: third-party, fire and theft.

This usually covers:

  • Damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property.
  • Your car if it's stolen.
  • Damage to your car caused by fire.

However, accidental damage to your own car — including a crash that is your fault — generally remains your responsibility. Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy DetailsVehicle Insurance

When does switching make sense?

Third-party cover is worth considering if your car is relatively inexpensive, you could afford to replace it out of your own savings, and the comprehensive premium feels disproportionate to the car's value.

I'd be more cautious about switching if:

  • You rely on your car to get to work and couldn't afford a replacement.
  • You have little savings available for an unexpected loss.
  • You have a car loan or finance agreement that requires comprehensive insurance.

Also, compare the actual premiums rather than assuming the saving will be small: Consumer NZ reported in May 2025 that third-party-only policies could be five to six times cheaper than comprehensive policies in its survey. Your own quote may differ considerably. Third-party car insurance premiums comparedYour consumer rights

Let's work out whether it's worth it for you

The two most useful details are:

I can then help you weigh the likely premium saving against the amount of money you'd be putting at risk.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

What would changing from comprehensive to third-party actually expose me to?

Switching from a comprehensive car insurance policy to a third-party policy (whether Third-Party Only or Third-Party, Fire and Theft) means you are shifting the financial risk of damage to your own vehicle entirely onto yourself.

The exact exposures you take on depend on which tier of third-party cover you choose:

1. What You Lose (The Exposures)

  • Accidental Damage to Your Own Car: If you crash into a power pole, slide off a wet road, or have a minor bingle where you are at fault, a third-party policy will pay nothing toward fixing or replacing your car.
  • The "Uninsured Motorist" Catch: While some third-party policies offer a limited payout (often up to $3,000–$5,000) if an uninsured driver crashes into you and you can provide their details, you are generally exposed if an at-fault driver has no insurance and can't pay.
  • Weather, Vandalism, and Storm Damage: If a tree branch falls on your car during a storm, a flash flood damages the interior, or someone vandalises it parked on the street, you absorb 100% of that cost.
  • Added Perils & Extras: Comprehensive policies often bundle perks like towing/transport costs after an accident, replacement keys, or emergency accommodation. Under basic third-party, you usually lose these extras (though towing can sometimes be added as an optional extra).

(Note: If you choose Third-Party, Fire and Theft, you are still protected if your car is stolen or catches fire, but you are still fully exposed to accidental crashes).

2. What Stays Protected

  • Damage to Other People's Property: This is the core purpose of third-party insurance. If you crash into a late-model European luxury car, damage someone's fence, or hit a commercial vehicle, your insurer will still cover the potentially massive liability bills.

3. Is the Trade-off Worth It?

In New Zealand, the decision to drop to third-party usually comes down to simple math regarding your car's market value versus your savings buffer:

  • The Car's Value: If your car is worth under $3,000 (or an amount where you could comfortably pull cash from your savings to replace it tomorrow), paying for comprehensive insurance often costs more in yearly premiums than the car is actually worth.
  • Your Financial Buffer: Ask yourself if a sudden write-off would cause financial hardship. If losing the car entirely means you cannot get to work or handle daily life without severe stress, comprehensive insurance acts as a safety net.

Would you like to share roughly what your vehicle is worth, or what kind of premium difference you are looking at, to see if the switch makes financial sense?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

What would changing from comprehensive to third-party actually expose me to?

AI Overview

Changing from comprehensive to Third-Party Only car insurance in New Zealand strips away all financial protection for your own vehicle, exposing you to 100% of the out-of-pocket costs to repair or replace your car if it is damaged, stolen, or destroyed.

Because personal injury from vehicle accidents is covered nationally by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) , car insurance in NZ strictly handles property and legal liability. Moving to a Third-Party policy retains your protection against the massive costs of damaging other people's property (usually up to $20 million) but creates several significant coverage gaps.

What You Lose (The Risk Exposure)

By dropping down to a standard Third-Party policy, you are fully exposed to the financial consequences of the following events:

  • At-Fault Accidents: If you misjudge a corner, clip a parked car, or rear-end someone, your insurer will pay to fix their vehicle, but you will receive zero dollars to fix yours.

  • Theft and Vandalism: If your car is stolen, broken into, or keyed, you must absorb the total loss yourself. (Note: A mid-tierThird-Party, Fire and Theft policy bridges this specific gap).

  • Fire Damage: You are completely uncovered if an electrical short or arson destroys your vehicle.

  • Natural Disasters & Weather: Severe weather events common to New Zealand—such as floods, hail, or storm damage —will not be covered.

  • Hit-and-Runs: If your car is damaged while parked and the offender flees without leaving details, you must pay for the repairs yourself.

  • Hidden Policy Perks: You lose comprehensive lifestyle benefits like windscreen and window glass replacement without an excess, emergency towing , lock/key replacement, and rental car cover while your vehicle is off the road.

The Comparison at a Glance

Feature Comprehensive Cover Third-Party Only Cover
Damage to other cars/property Covered (Usually up to $20m) Covered (Usually up to $20m)
Damage to your car (At-fault crash) Covered Not Covered
Car theft or fire Covered Not Covered
Storm, flood, or hail damage Covered Not Covered
Windscreen & glass protection Covered (Often excess-free) Not Covered
Emergency towing & roadside help Often included or discounted Not Covered (Unless paid as an extra)

The One Exception: The "Uninsured Driver" Clause

Most major New Zealand insurers (such as AA Insurance, AMI, and Tower) offer a small safety net on Third-Party policies. If an uninsured driver hits your car, your insurer may pay for your repairs up to a limit of $4,000 to $5,000. However, this only applies if:

  1. The other driver was completely at fault.

  2. You can successfully identify the driver (name, registration number, and contact details).

If they hit you and speed off, this exception will not apply.

If you would like to map out if this swap makes financial sense, feel free to share:

  • Your car's approximate market value

  • Whether the vehicle is currently under finance (financed cars usually mandate comprehensive cover)

  • If you can comfortably afford to replace the car out-of-pocket if it's written off tomorrow Confused about third party insurance vs comprehensive cover?Comprehensive vs Third Party Car Insurance NZ 2026

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

What would changing from comprehensive to third-party actually expose me to?

Changing from comprehensive to third-party car insurance in New Zealand exposes you to paying out-of-pocket for all damage or loss to your own vehicle if you have an accident, or if your car is damaged by fire, storm, vandalism, or theft.

When you downgrade from a Comprehensive policy to a Third Party Only (TPO) policy, your financial and physical risk profile changes significantly. [Quashed]

What Third-Party Insurance Covers vs. What It Exposes You To

  • Covered (The Third Party): Damage or loss you accidentally cause to other people’s vehicles or property (e.g., if you crash into a late-model European car or damage a roadside fence, the insurer pays for that damage up to your policy limit).

  • Exposed (Your Own Vehicle): Zero cover for repairs or replacement of your own car if you cause an accident, get rear-ended by an uninsured driver, or suffer damage from un-identifiable drivers, storms, or vandalism.

  • Exposed (Fire and Theft): Zero cover if your vehicle is stolen or catches fire (unless you specifically upgrade to Third Party, Fire and Theft).

Key Financial Risks and Real-World Exposures in New Zealand

  • Total Write-Off Cost: If you crash and your car is written off, you receive a payout of $0 from your insurer. You must absorb the entire financial loss of replacing your vehicle out of your own savings. [Quashed]

  • Uninsured Driver Risk: New Zealand has a notable percentage of uninsured or under-insured drivers on the road. If an uninsured driver hits you and it is their fault, recovering costs can be legally difficult and protracted through the Disputes Tribunal, leaving you stranded without a functioning vehicle in the interim.

  • Towing and Recovery Costs: Many basic third-party policies do not include roadside assistance or emergency towing for your own vehicle post-accident unless specified or added as an extra.

When Third-Party Makes Financial Sense

  • Low Vehicle Value: Industry guidelines in New Zealand generally suggest that if your car has a market value under $3,000 to $4,000, the annual cost of comprehensive insurance (which can average over $1,400/year depending on driver age and location) may outweigh the actual replacement value of the vehicle.

  • Alternative Savings: You are comfortable self-insuring your car's physical body and have enough cash reserves to buy a replacement vehicle immediately if yours is destroyed. [Quashed]

You can compare policy features and market definitions across local providers via resources like Consumer NZ or insurance comparison platforms like Quashed before deciding to switch tiers. [Quashed]

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Captured 11 October 2026