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

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

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.

ChatGPT · New Zealand

The repairer fixed my car through insurance, but it still doesn't feel safe. Who can I get to check it?

If a car has been repaired after an insurance claim but you’re not confident it is safe, you can get an independent inspection rather than relying on the repairer who did the work.

In New Zealand, options include:

  • An independent mechanic or vehicle inspection service — ask specifically for a post-repair safety inspection or a thorough mechanical and structural check. A different workshop (not the insurance repairer) is usually best so you get an independent opinion. Consumer Protection
  • A Warrant of Fitness (WoF) inspection provider — a WoF is a safety check covering items such as brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights, airbags (where fitted), and certain structural issues. However, it is not a full diagnostic inspection and may not find every repair-related problem. Consumer Protection
  • A specialist repair certifier — if the crash involved significant structural damage, you may want advice from someone experienced in vehicle repair certification. NZTA notes that repaired vehicles must be restored to safe tolerances, and specialist repair certification may apply in some cases. NZ Transport Agency

Before paying for another inspection, it is also worth:

  1. Contacting your insurer in writing and explaining that the vehicle still feels unsafe. Ask them to arrange a reassessment or independent review.
  2. Keeping evidence — note symptoms (pulling, vibration, noises, warning lights, braking issues), dates, and take photos/videos if relevant.
  3. Avoiding driving it if you think it is unsafe — especially if there are steering, braking, tyre, suspension, or airbag concerns.

If you tell me what feels unsafe (for example: pulling to one side, shaking, brakes, noises, warning lights, doors not fitting, after a front/rear/side impact), I can suggest the most appropriate type of inspection.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

The repairer fixed my car through insurance, but it still doesn't feel safe. Who can I get to check it?

If your car doesn't feel safe after insurance repairs, you have the right to get an independent second opinion. Because the insurance company and their chosen repairer have a vested interest in the work being signed off, getting an outside perspective is crucial for your peace of mind and safety.

The following options are available to have your vehicle checked:

1. Independent Mechanical Inspection Services

  • Independent Vehicle Assessors: Companies and specialist engineers (such as Auto Assess or similar independent automotive forensic/assessment services) provide comprehensive post-repair inspections. They can assess structural alignment, mechanical safety, and whether the repairs match industry standards.
  • Specialist Inspection Providers: Firms like SGS New Zealand provide independent vehicle damage and repair assessments.

2. A Different MTA-Registered Repairer or Franchise Dealer

  • Take the car to a completely separate, reputable garage—ideally one affiliated with the Motor Trade Association (MTA) or an authorized brand-dealership for your car's make.
  • Request a formal safety inspection or diagnostic check. Ask them specifically to look at the areas that were repaired (e.g., suspension, steering, chassis, or electronics) and get their findings in writing.

3. A Certified WoF Inspector (For Immediate Safety Concerns)

  • If you believe the car is outright dangerous to drive, you can take it to a separate Warrant of Fitness (WoF) testing station or garage for an inspection. While a standard WoF check focuses on baseline safety requirements (like brakes, structural rust, steering, and suspension), a failure or safety warning from a certified inspector gives you formal leverage.

What to do next:

  1. Do not ignore your instincts: Modern vehicles have complex crumple zones, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and electronic sensors that can compromise safety if improperly fixed or recalibrated.
  2. Contact your insurance company immediately: Notify them that you believe the repairs are unsafe or incomplete. Under your policy and consumer rights, the work must be fit for purpose. Tell them you are arranging an independent inspection.
  3. Keep all paperwork: Request a detailed breakdown of the repairs from the original repairer (including alignment printouts, parts invoices, and scan reports), and hand these over to the independent inspector so they know what was supposed to be fixed.
  4. Use dispute pathways if necessary: If the original repairer or insurer refuses to acknowledge the safety issues, you can take your independent report to the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) or the Disputes Tribunal, or seek mediation through the MTA if the repairer is a member.

Is the issue more related to how the car handles mechanically (like steering or suspension), or are you noticing electronic/sensor glitches after the repair?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

The repairer fixed my car through insurance, but it still doesn't feel safe. Who can I get to check it?

AI Overview

If your car was repaired through insurance but still does not feel safe, do not drive it.

Because the insurance company authorized and paid for the work, the legal contract for the repair is technically between your insurer and the repairer. This means your insurance company is responsible for making sure the job is completed safely and correctly.

To resolve this, you can use the following independent experts to check the vehicle and build a case for your insurer:

1. Who to Contact for an Independent Check

  • An Independent MTA-Assured Mechanic: Take the car to a local mechanic who is a member of the Motor Trade Association (MTA). Ask them for a comprehensive general or safety inspection specifically focusing on the areas that feel unsafe (e.g., suspension, steering, or brakes). Request a written report detailing any faults or sub-standard work.

  • The AA (Automated Association): You can book a comprehensive vehicle inspection through the AA. While traditionally used for pre-purchase checks, their detailed mechanical and safety reports provide highly respected, independent evidence.

  • A Specialist Repair Certifier: If you suspect the vehicle has unresolved structural, chassis, or major collision damage that wasn't fixed properly, you can contact an NZTA-approved specialist Repair Certifier. You can find a local registered certifier through the official RepairCert NZ directory.

Note: A standard Warrant of Fitness (WoF) is a basic, high-level safety check and is unlikely to catch complex mechanical or tracking issues caused by an accident. Avoid using a standard WoF as proof of a proper repair.


2. Step-by-Step Action Plan

  1. Contact your insurer immediately: Inform them that you have taken delivery of the vehicle but it feels unsafe to drive. Tell them you are getting an independent assessment.

  2. Gather your evidence: Get a written, itemized report and photos from the independent mechanic or certifier showing exactly what is wrong or unsafe.

  3. Submit the report to your insurer: Demand that they address the issues. Most insurers provide a "lifetime repair guarantee" on work done by their preferred network panel beaters, meaning they must step in to fix it.

  4. Escalate if they refuse: If the insurer rejects your independent report, lodge a formal complaint through their internal complaints team. By law, they have a set timeframe to resolve it.

  5. Use an External Dispute Scheme: If you reach a standstill, ask the insurer for a "letter of deadlock". You can then take your case completely free of charge to the insurer's designated dispute resolution scheme—usually either the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) or Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL).

To help point you in the right direction, could you let me know:

  • What specifically feels wrong when you drive it (e.g., pulling to one side, strange noises, soft brakes)?

  • Have you already spoken to your claims handler about how the car feels?

  • Do you know if the shop that repaired it was your insurer's preferred repairer or one you chose yourself?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

The repairer fixed my car through insurance, but it still doesn't feel safe. Who can I get to check it?

If your car doesn't feel safe after an insurance repair, you have the right to get a second opinion and dispute shoddy or incomplete work.

Here are the independent professionals and organizations in New Zealand you can turn to for an inspection and report:

  • Independent Motor Vehicle Assessors / Loss Adjusters : Companies like DISA Assessing or Complete Assessing specialize in independent post-repair inspections and technical damage reports. An objective, professional report from an independent assessor gives you documented evidence if you need to take the issue back to your insurance company.

  • VTNZ or VINZ Inspection Station : You can book your vehicle in for a comprehensive safety check or a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) inspection at a testing station like VTNZ. While a WoF covers core legal safety requirements, you can specifically request a detailed mechanical and structural safety assessment.

  • MTA-Assured Repairer : If the original repairer wasn't part of the Motor Trade Association (MTA), or if you want a second opinion from a reputable workshop, take it to an MTA-assured mechanic. They can inspect the specific components (like alignment, suspension, or structural fixes) and write up an assessment detailing any substandard work. [VTNZ]

  • Your Insurance Company : Inform your insurer immediately that you believe the repair is unsafe. Legally, the insurance company is responsible for the quality of the repair they authorized. They will often send their own senior assessor or require an independent re-inspection if you dispute the original work.

  • Dispute Resolution (IFSO or Financial Services Complaints Limited) : If your insurer refuses to address your safety concerns, you can escalate the matter through the insurance industry's independent dispute resolution schemes (such as the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman or FSCL), provided you have an independent report backing up your claim.

To help me point you in the best direction , could you tell me:

  • What specific part or area of the car (e.g., steering, brakes, alignment, or body panels) feels unsafe?
  • Is the repairer an approved shop chosen by your insurance , or one you picked yourself?
Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026