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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

My insurer says I shouldn't have driven through floodwater and won't pay for the damage. What can I do?

If your insurer has declined your claim because you drove through floodwater, you can still challenge the decision. In New Zealand, the key question is usually whether the insurer is applying the wording of your policy correctly and whether the circumstances justify the exclusion they are relying on. Consumer Protection

Here are practical steps you can take:

  1. Ask for the refusal in writing

    • Request the exact policy clause they are relying on.
    • Ask them to explain why they believe your actions fall within that exclusion.
    • Ask for the evidence they used (for example, assessor reports, photos, weather or road information).

  2. Review your policy wording
    Look for sections about:

    • flood or water damage
    • driving through water
    • reasonable care / negligence
    • exclusions and conditions of cover

    The wording matters. There can be a difference between deliberately taking an obvious risk and encountering unexpected flooding where the depth, speed, or danger was not reasonably apparent.

  3. Make a formal complaint to the insurer
    Tell them you are making a formal complaint, not just asking for a review. Explain:

    • what happened
    • why you disagree with the decline
    • what outcome you want (for example, reconsideration of the claim)

    Insurers must have a complaints process, and Consumer Protection recommends raising the issue directly with the provider first. Consumer Protection

  4. Gather evidence
    Useful information may include:

    • photos/videos of the water and road conditions
    • dashcam footage
    • weather warnings or council/road notices
    • witness statements
    • your account of why you believed it was safe to proceed
    • the mechanic’s report showing what damage occurred

  5. Escalate if the insurer does not change its decision
    If you cannot resolve it, your insurer’s dispute resolution scheme may be able to review the matter. Financial service providers in New Zealand must belong to an approved dispute resolution scheme, such as the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme or another approved scheme. These services are free and independent. Financial Markets Authority

  6. Consider further options
    Depending on the situation, you may also be able to use the Disputes Tribunal for eligible claims. Consumer Protection

A useful question to put to your insurer is:

“Please explain the factual basis for your decision that I breached the policy by driving through floodwater, including the specific policy wording relied upon and why you consider the exclusion applies in these circumstances.”

If you tell me:

  • whether this was car insurance or another type of policy,
  • what the insurer says you did wrong (for example “ignored warning signs” or “water was too deep”),
  • and whether the car was damaged by engine water ingress, electrical damage, or something else,

I can help you assess how strong your challenge may be and draft a complaint.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

My insurer says I shouldn't have driven through floodwater and won't pay for the damage. What can I do?

Having an insurance claim declined because you drove through floodwater is a stressful situation. Insurers often rely on policy exclusions relating to "recklessness," "gross carelessness," or failing to take "reasonable care" to protect the vehicle from loss. However, a declination is not always the final word.

To challenge the decision or negotiate a better outcome in New Zealand, take the following steps:

1. Review Your Policy Wording Carefully

  • Look for specific clauses: Read your vehicle insurance policy document, specifically looking at sections covering exclusions, "reasonable care," or off-road/flood driving.
  • Check definitions: Does the policy explicitly exclude driving through water, or does it say you must not act recklessly? Insurers must prove that you intentionally took an unreasonable risk or were grossly negligent, rather than just making an error in judgment.

2. Gather Evidence and Context

Insurers look at the facts of the incident. Think about and document details that support your case:

  • The unexpected nature of the situation: Were you caught unawares? For example, did the water rise rapidly around you while you were already on the road, or was the depth disguised by murky water, darkness, or a hidden pothole/drain washout?
  • Lack of warning signs: Were there any road closure signs, cones, or warnings present at the time you entered the water? If the road was open and other cars were passing, it supports the argument that driving through it appeared reasonable at the time.
  • Dashcam or witness footage: If you have dashcam footage or witness statements showing the conditions or how quickly the situation escalated, gather them immediately.

3. File a Formal Internal Complaint

If you believe the insurer's decision is unfair or based on incorrect assumptions, do not just accept the phone call or email declination:

  • Contact your insurer and ask to lodge a formal complaint with their internal dispute resolution team (often handled by a dedicated complaints manager or customer resolutions team).
  • Clearly state why you disagree with their decision, providing your timeline, photos, and context about the road conditions. Insurers are bound by the Fair Insurance Code (administered by the Insurance Council of New Zealand) to handle complaints efficiently and fairly.

4. Escalate to an External Dispute Resolution Scheme (Free)

If your insurer maintains their refusal after your internal complaint, or if they issue a "deadlock" letter, you have the right to take the dispute to an independent, free dispute resolution service. Depending on which scheme your insurer belongs to, you can approach:

  • The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) Scheme (ifso.nz)
  • Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL) (fscl.org.nz)

These schemes are free for consumers. An ombudsman will independently review the case, look at the policy contract, check whether the insurer's interpretation of "reasonable care" is fair, and make a binding decision if the insurer is found to be in the wrong.

Would you like guidance on how to write a formal dispute email or complaint letter to your insurer?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

My insurer says I shouldn't have driven through floodwater and won't pay for the damage. What can I do?

AI Overview

If your insurer declined your claim for driving through floodwater, you have the right to challenge their decision. Insurers often decline these claims by arguing that driving into floodwater is an "intentional or reckless act" rather than an accident. However, under New Zealand law, they cannot simply state this—they must prove that you deliberately risked damaging the vehicle.

1. Formally Request the Exact Reason in Writing

Ask your insurer for a written breakdown stating the precise policy clause or exclusion they are using to decline the claim.

  • The "Accidental" Argument: Motor insurance covers sudden, accidental damage. For a rejection to hold, the insurer usually must prove you knew there was a high certainty of ruining your car, yet you went ahead anyway.

  • If you misjudged the depth, followed another vehicle that made it through safely, or were forced into the situation by sudden traffic or rising levels, you can argue the damage was a genuine, unforeseen accident.

2. Follow the Insurer's Internal Complaints Process

Before taking the matter to an outside authority, you must exhaust your insurance provider’s internal dispute resolution system.

  • Submit a formal complaint detailing your perspective of the event (e.g., poor visibility, lack of signage, or lack of safe turning space).

  • The insurer must review your case and issue a "Letter of Deadlock" if they still refuse to change their stance.

3. Escalate to an Independent Ombudsman

If you cannot agree, or if the insurer takes longer than two months to resolve your complaint, you can take your case to a dispute resolution scheme for free.

Depending on who your insurer is, they will be registered with one of two independent bodies:

  • Insurance& Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO): Covers the vast majority of mainstream New Zealand insurers.

  • Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL) : Covers specific niche insurers and brokers.

The Ombudsman will look at the case impartially to see if the insurer applied the policy terms fairly. If the Ombudsman rules in your favor, the insurer is legally bound by that decision.

Crucial Warnings While You Navigate This

  • Be completely honest: Do not alter details about where you drove or the height of the water. If an insurer flags you for fraud on the Insurance Claims Register (ICR) , your other policies (like home and contents) can be cancelled, and you may find it impossible to get insured anywhere else in New Zealand.

  • Do not drive the car: Driving a water-damaged car is a major safety hazard due to potential sudden electronic or brake failure. Keep the car turned off until it can be inspected.

To help frame your next steps, could you tell me:

  • Was the floodwater static on a road you chose to enter, or did flash flooding catch you by surprise while already driving?

  • Has your insurer already sent you a final written decline letter , or are they currently just telling you this over the phone?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

My insurer says I shouldn't have driven through floodwater and won't pay for the damage. What can I do?

If your insurer has declined your claim because you drove through floodwater, you can formally dispute their decision by requesting an internal review, asking for the specific policy clause they relied on, and escalating the complaint to an independent dispute resolution scheme if they refuse to budge.

Insurers often decline these claims under policy exclusions for "reckless behaviour" or failing to take "reasonable care" to avoid damage. However, whether they are legally justified depends heavily on the exact circumstances and the wording of your contract.

Steps to Challenge the Decision

  1. Request the Formal Decision and Policy Wording in Writing
  • Ask your insurer to provide the exact clause in your comprehensive car insurance policy wording that they used to decline the claim.
  • Review the definition of "reckless" or "reasonable care" in your policy booklet. Under New Zealand insurance law, the onus is generally on the insurer to prove that you acted with reckless disregard (i.e., that you knew the extreme risk and deliberately courted it).
  1. Gather Evidence and Context
  • Write down a clear, factual timeline of the event. Did sudden flash flooding trap you unexpectedly, or was the depth of the water hidden (e.g., murky water over a flooded road where depth wasn't visible)?
  • Collect any photos, dashcam footage, weather warnings for your specific location at that exact hour, or statements from witnesses that show the situation was unavoidable or that you had no safe alternative route to escape rising waters.
  1. File a Complaint with the Insurer’s Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) Process
  • Contact your insurance company's internal complaints department (their dispute resolution process). Tell them you disagree with the decision and provide your new context and evidence.
  • Insurance companies in New Zealand are required to have a formal internal process to review deadlock decisions.
  1. Escalate to an Independent Ombudsman Scheme
  • If your insurer upholds their decision and you remain unsatisfied, you can take your complaint to an external, free dispute resolution scheme that your insurer belongs to.
  • Most general insurers in New Zealand belong to the Insurance& Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) Scheme or Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL).
  • These services are completely free for consumers. They will review whether the insurer's decision was fair, reasonable, and compliant with the policy terms and relevant law. Their final decisions are binding on the insurer if you choose to accept them.

If you'd like to share what the water depth was , whether the depth was hidden/unexpected , or the name of your insurer , I can provide more specific guidance on how to approach your appeal.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026