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

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

If you live in Wellington, I'd compare at least four or five car insurers in New Zealand rather than going with the first cheap quote. The best option depends on your car's value, where it's parked overnight, how much you drive, and whether you want comprehensive cover or just protection against damage to other people's vehicles.

For most drivers, comprehensive insurance is worth pricing first, especially if your car would be expensive to repair or replace.

Car insurance companies worth comparing

  1. AA Insurance

A good all-round option to benchmark against. Worth checking if you value repair guarantees and the ability to choose your repairer. AA Car and Vehicle InsuranceCar Insurance Policy Comparison - AMI vs AMP vs AA vs State vs Tower and more

Get a quote: aa.co.nz

  1. AMI

A mainstream insurer with comprehensive, third-party and other cover options. Particularly worth comparing if roadside assistance is useful, as it is included with its comprehensive cover. Comprehensive Car Insurance | Full Vehicle CoverAMI Car Insurance | Online Quote

Get a quote: ami.co.nz

  1. State Insurance

A useful like-for-like comparison with AMI and AA Insurance. Check the excess, vehicle valuation and optional extras rather than assuming similar cover means a similar price. Car Insurance Policy Comparison - AMI vs AMP vs AA vs State vs Tower and moreBest Car Insurance NZ | Compare, Quote and Save

Get a quote: state.co.nz

  1. Tower Insurance

Worth checking if you want broad cover and useful optional benefits. Tower offers features such as key replacement cover on eligible comprehensive policies; read the limits and exclusions. Car Insurance Policy Comparison - AMI vs AMP vs AA vs State vs Tower and moreQuashed | AA Insurance NZ 2026: Comparing Prices, Cover & Value Against Every Major Competitor

Get a quote: tower.co.nz

  1. Cove

Especially worth a quote if you prefer buying and managing your policy online. Recent NZ comparisons have found it competitive on price for some driver and vehicle combinations, although it won't necessarily be cheapest for you. Car Insurance Policy Comparison - AMI vs AMP vs AA vs State vs Tower and moreBest Car Insurance NZ | Compare, Quote and Save

Get a quote: coveinsurance.co.nz

  1. Trade Me Insurance

Another option to include in your price check. Its motor insurance is provided and managed by Tower, but the policy benefits can differ from Tower's own offering. Car Insurance Policy Comparison - AMI vs AMP vs AA vs State vs Tower and moreBest Car Insurance NZ | Compare, Quote and Save

Get a quote: trademe.co.nz

What matters most when comparing quotes

Check Why it matters
Annual premium Compare the full yearly cost, including fees and instalment charges.
Excess The amount you pay towards a claim. A cheaper premium may come with a higher excess.
Agreed vs market value Check how your payout would be calculated if the car is written off or stolen.
Windscreen cover See whether glass claims are excess-free or require an add-on.
Theft and weather damage Check exclusions and conditions, particularly for overnight parking.
Courtesy car and repairs See whether a replacement vehicle is provided and whether you can choose the repairer.

A Wellington-specific tip: give each insurer the same details about where you park overnight — for example, a locked garage, driveway or street parking. Your location and parking arrangements can affect the quote, so make sure you're comparing equivalent cover.

For a broader independent comparison, MoneyHub's NZ car insurance comparison is a useful starting point. Best Car Insurance NZ | Compare, Quote and Save

I'll help you narrow it down

The best shortlist depends quite a bit on your vehicle. What car do you drive, including its make, model and year? I'll use that to help you focus on the insurers most worth getting quotes from.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

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

When looking for car insurance in Wellington, several top-rated New Zealand providers stand out for their mix of policy features, customer satisfaction, and pricing. Because insurers calculate risk differently based on location (such as Wellington’s steep hills, wind, and narrow streets), comparing a few distinct options is the best way to secure a good deal.

Top Car Insurance Providers to Compare

  • AA Insurance: Frequently recognized by Canstar for high customer satisfaction and claims service. They offer strong comprehensive benefits and are a dependable choice if you prefer a well-established local provider.
  • Tower: Known for offering feature-rich comprehensive policies. Tower stands out for perks like excess-free key replacement on comprehensive tiers and lifetime repair guarantees for as long as you own the vehicle.
  • Cove: A popular digital-first insurer that often provides highly competitive, budget-friendly quotes. Because they operate entirely online without physical branches, their baseline prices are frequently lower than traditional insurers.
  • AMI and State: Two of New Zealand's largest direct insurers (underwritten by IAG). State was named Canstar’s Car Insurer of the Year, and both offer reliable, widely utilized comprehensive covers with flexible add-ons like roadside assistance.

Key Features to Check When Comparing

  • Agreed Value vs. Market Value: Check whether the policy pays out an agreed-upon sum if your car is written off, or just the current market value at the time of the claim.
  • Windscreens and Glass: Wellington's gravel and road conditions can lead to chipped windshields. Check if glass cover is included standard or available as an affordable add-on without an excess penalty.
  • Excess Options: Adjusting your voluntary excess (the amount you pay upfront on a claim) up or down can significantly alter your monthly or annual premium.

If you like, I can guide you on what specific coverage details to look out for based on whether you park your car on the street or in a garage in Wellington. Do you want me to help with that?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

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

AI Overview

When looking for car insurance in New Zealand, the top mainstream companies worth comparing include AA Insurance , AMI , State , and Tower.

Because AMI and State are both owned by the same parent company (IAG), they often share similar backend platforms but differ in pricing structures, member perks, and policy configurations.

Major Insurers to Compare

  • AA Insurance: Consistently ranks highly for customer service and claims satisfaction in New Zealand. If you are an AA Member, you typically qualify for additional premium discounts.

  • AMI: One of the country's largest insurers, known for flexible policy options and a massive network. They offer multi-policy discounts if you bundle your car insurance with house or contents cover.

  • State: A straightforward, direct insurer that focuses on competitive, no-frills pricing. Like AMI, they are part of IAG, meaning their underwriting footprint is highly stable.

  • Tower: An independent, digital-forward provider that offers highly customizable policies. They utilize risk-based pricing, which can sometimes result in lower premiums depending on your specific demographic and vehicle type.


Key Comparisons

Insurer Key Benefit Potential Discount Triggers
AA Insurance Top-tier customer & claims support AA Membership, Multi-policy
AMI Large support network, reliable coverage Multi-policy, Online purchase
State Streamlined, cost-effective pricing Multi-policy, Safe driver history
Tower Highly customizable digital policies Multi-policy, MyTower rewards

Strategic Framework for Your Quote

To get the most accurate comparisons across these providers, make sure you evaluate the following factors:

  • Agreed Value vs. Market Value: Always check whether the policy insures your car for a fixed amount you both agree on (Agreed Value) or what the car is worth right before an accident (Market Value). Agreed value is highly recommended to avoid depreciation surprises.

  • Policy Excess: Adjusting your excess (the amount you pay upfront during a claim) is the fastest way to alter your premium. A higher excess will lower your monthly or annual premium payments.

  • Open vs. Named Drivers: Be explicit about who drives your vehicle. Leaving a policy "open" to any driver usually increases your premium or incurs a much higher excess if an unlisted driver has an accident. Specifying named drivers keeps the risk profile tight and costs lower.

  • Wellington Context: Because Wellington is prone to seismic activity, bundling your vehicle with home or contents insurance can lock in comprehensive multi-policy discounts that offset regional risk pricing.

To narrow down the best premium and structure for your vehicle, could you let me know:

  • The make, model, and year of your car?

  • The age of the youngest driver who will be using it?

  • Whether you intend to cover it for Comprehensive , Third Party, Fire & Theft, or strictly Third Party Only?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

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

The top car insurance companies worth comparing in New Zealand include AA Insurance, Tower, Cove, AMI, and State , each offering distinct advantages depending on whether you prioritize price, digital flexibility, or comprehensive benefits.

Comparison of Key Car Insurance Providers

Provider Key Advantage Notable Features
AA Insurance Highly competitive & reliable service Lifetime repair guarantee on authorized repairs, strong customer satisfaction ratings.
Tower Comprehensive coverage options Excess-free key replacement, flexible policy adjustments online.
Cove Budget-friendly digital policies Often prices lower in market models, flexible monthly/annual payment terms (excludes under-21s).
AMI Established nationwide network Extensive local branch support and customizable third-party or comprehensive plans.
State Broad policy extras Good multi-policy discounts if bundling house or contents insurance.

Factors to Consider When Comparing

  • Cover Type: Decide between Comprehensive (protects against theft, weather, fire, and accidental damage) or Third Party (covers damage you cause to other people's vehicles only).

  • Wellington Specifics: Insurers factor in local environment risks such as narrow hillside parking, wind/storm exposure, and overnight off-street parking. Utilizing comparison tools like Quashed can help you view multiple live quotes tailored directly to your specific Wellington suburb.

  • Payment Frequency: Paying annually instead of monthly typically saves you 10% to 15% on your overall premium. [MoneyHub NZ]

To narrow down the best choice, let me know:

  • Is your vehicle older or newer , and what make/model is it?
  • Do you prefer a fully digital insurer (like Cove) or an established brand with phone and physical branch support (like AA or AMI)?
Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026