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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

I live in Canterbury and need car insurance. Which companies are worth comparing?

If you live in Canterbury, New Zealand, I’d compare at least four or five insurers before choosing. The best deal depends on your car, where it’s usually parked, your driving history, and the excess you’re willing to pay. Consumer NZ recommends getting quotes from at least three insurers and checking the policy wording, not just the premium. Car insurance buying guideCar insurance buying guide

Car insurance companies worth comparing

AA Insurance

A good starting point for mainstream comprehensive and third-party cover. Compare its excess, repair options and any multi-policy discounts.

Get a quote

AMI Insurance

Worth comparing for everyday family and personal vehicles, with comprehensive and third-party options.

Get a quote

State Insurance

Another mainstream option to quote alongside AA and AMI. Compare the actual policy benefits and excesses, rather than assuming similar brands offer identical cover.

Get a quote

Tower Insurance

A useful independent comparison against the larger brands, particularly if you’re looking for competitive pricing.

Get a quote

Cove Insurance

Worth checking if you prefer an online-first experience and straightforward quoting.

Get a quote

FMG

Particularly worth considering if you live rurally, drive on rural roads, or have farming connections.

Get a quote

These providers offer different combinations of motor cover. Check their current eligibility and policy terms when quoting. Compare Car Insurance Providers NZCompare Car Insurance Quotes NZ 2026

Three more worth checking

  • Trade Me Insurance — trademeinsurance.co.nz. Worth checking for another price comparison; its motor insurance is underwritten by Tower.
  • Initio — initio.co.nz. An online option worth comparing for comprehensive or third-party, fire and theft cover.
  • MAS — mas.co.nz. Worth checking if you're eligible for its insurance products.

Compare Car Insurance Providers NZCompare Car Insurance Quotes NZ 2026

Which type of cover should you get?

Cover type What it generally covers Best suited to
Comprehensive Your car and damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property Newer or valuable cars, or if replacing your car would be difficult
Third party, fire & theft Damage you cause to others, plus specified fire and theft risks to your car Older cars where you still want some protection
Third party only Damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property Cars you could afford to replace yourself

Policy exclusions and benefits vary. In New Zealand, car insurance is generally optional, but being uninsured can leave you liable for substantial property damage. Car insurance buying guideCar Insurance Comparison NZ | Compare Quotes

What I would do in Canterbury

  1. Get quotes from AA Insurance, AMI, Tower and Cove first.
  2. Add State, Trade Me Insurance or FMG to broaden the comparison.
  3. Compare the annual premium, standard and young-driver excesses (if relevant), agreed versus market value, windscreen cover, hire-car benefits and repair arrangements.
  4. Check whether flood, storm and other natural-event damage is covered, particularly if your parking location is exposed to those risks.

I can narrow this down for your car. What make, model and year do you drive, and are you mainly looking for comprehensive cover or the cheapest reasonable third-party option?

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

I live in Canterbury and need car insurance. Which companies are worth comparing?

When shopping for car insurance in Canterbury, looking at a mix of major established nationwide providers and competitive alternative brands will help you balance cost, coverage breadth, and claims support.

Top car insurance companies worth comparing in New Zealand include:

  • AA Insurance – Highly rated for customer satisfaction and claims service, with options for agreed value and an extensive network of repairers.
  • Tower – Often noted for offering comprehensive policy benefits (such as robust key replacement and flexible add-ons) and digital-first management.
  • AMI – A household name with broad local coverage, featuring built-in or optional extras like roadside rescue and network repair hubs.
  • State – Frequently recognised for competitive value, streamlined online claims processes, and adjustable excess structures.
  • Cove – A popular digital challenger brand offering competitive pricing on flexible monthly comprehensive policies.

Key Points to Compare

  • Agreed Value vs. Market Value: Check how each insurer values your vehicle if it's written off.
  • Excess Options: Look closely at standard excesses and whether they offer low-excess options or special discounts for safe-driver courses.
  • Glass and Roadside Add-ons: Review whether windscreen cover or roadside assistance are bundled or cost extra.

If you like, I can guide you through estimating a personal transport or vehicle maintenance budget to see how different premium tiers fit your monthly cash flow. Do you want me to do that?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

I live in Canterbury and need car insurance. Which companies are worth comparing?

AI Overview

When looking for car insurance in Canterbury, the average comprehensive premium sits at around $1,189 a year , which is generally lower than in Auckland but highly dependent on your specific vehicle, age, and suburb. Because quotes vary drastically by driver, the best approach is to check a mix of the country’s top-rated and digital-first insurers.

The main car insurance providers worth comparing for a driver in Canterbury include:

1. The Heavy Hitters (Traditional & Award-Winning)

  • AA Insurance : A highly popular provider in New Zealand, recognized for its lifetime repair guarantee and strong claims satisfaction ratings.

  • State Insurance : Part of the large IAG group, State is popular for removing its under-25 age excesses and offering automated online claim approvals.

  • Tower Insurance : An independent NZX-listed insurer that stands out for high-limit benefits, including a 2-year new car replacement clause and up to $1,000 for excess-free key replacement.

  • AMI Insurance : Another massive direct insurer under the IAG umbrella. They feature physical "MotorHub" repair networks (including a major hub in Christchurch) to streamline repairs.

2. Best for High Customer Satisfaction (Niche & Mutuals)

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society) : A member-owned mutual originally for professionals that consistently sweeps the Consumer NZ People's Choice awards for car insurance satisfaction.

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group) : A 100% NZ-owned rural mutual. If you live in a rural pocket of Canterbury or run a lifestyle block, FMG is a top-tier option known for unmatched local service and rural vehicle nuances.

3. Digital-First & Budget Disrupters

  • Cove Insurance : A newer, purely digital player that frequently matches or beats the majors on price for standard vehicles. Their policies can be bought online in under two minutes without requiring a phone call.

Core Policy Comparison

Provider Type Key Advantage Best Suited For
AA Insurance Lifetime repair guarantee, highly trusted brand Peace of mind and high-quality repairs
State / AMI Broad coverage, Christchurch repair hubs, no age excess (State) Reliable standard urban cover
Tower Generous premium limits and new-car clauses Late-model or brand-new cars
MAS / FMG Consistently ranked highest for customer satisfaction Professionals, families, and rural/lifestyle properties
Cove Fast setup, competitive low pricing Tech-savvy drivers looking for quick, affordable policies

💡 Quick Tips for Canterbury Drivers

  • Watch the Suburb : If you live in Christchurch's eastern suburbs, your premium might be slightly adjusted due to legacy post-earthquake risk mapping by select insurers.

  • Pay Annually : Most Kiwi insurers allow you to save 10% to 15% overall if you pay your premium in one annual sum rather than monthly installments.

  • Compare via Market Scans : You can use independent tools like Quashed to compare multiple live quotes simultaneously to ensure you aren't overpaying.

To help narrow down the best choices, what is the make and model of your car, and are you looking for comprehensive or basic third-party cover?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

I live in Canterbury and need car insurance. Which companies are worth comparing?

When looking for car insurance in New Zealand , comparing multiple providers is essential because premiums for identical driver profiles and vehicles can vary significantly between companies.

Key companies worth comparing for your policy include:

  • AA Insurance : Highly rated for customer service and claims satisfaction, and offers features like a lifetime repair guarantee. You can get a quote directly via the AA Insurance website. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • AMI : A widely used traditional insurer with comprehensive cover options. You can check policies and current offers on the AMI website.

  • Cove : A digital-first insurer that frequently ranks as one of the more affordable options for standard models (though note they have specific restrictions for drivers under 21). Explore their terms on the Cove site. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • State Insurance : Another major mainstream provider offering flexible comprehensive tiers. You can look into options via the State Insurance portal.

  • Tower : Known for comprehensive benefits like excess-free key replacement and flexible online policy adjustments. You can price a policy directly on the Tower website. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • Trade Me Insurance : Powered via major underwriters, they offer competitive digital-focused policies easily comparable alongside others. Check details on Trade Me Insurance.

To make the comparison easier, you can also use a free local insurance marketplace like Quashed to view and evaluate multiple offers in one place. For independent consumer ratings and awards on these providers, check out Canstar Blue NZ.

To help narrow down which company might offer you the best rate, could you share:

  • The make, model, and year of your car
  • Your estimated age group or driving experience
  • Whether you are looking for Comprehensive or Third Party cover
Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026