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Evidence · Home and contents insurance

Every question, every answer, every source

Explore all 372 home and contents insurance questions and the 1,476 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
372
answers saved, of 1488 planned
1476
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 372 questions

Show all 372

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

    372rows

    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

    1,476rows

    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

    9,014rows

    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

    97rows

    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

    659rows

    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; twelve home and twelve contents selection questions, with missing captures preserved

    94rows

    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

    75rows

    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

    71rows

    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

    1,017rows

    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; four home and three contents platform answers per region

    112rows

    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

    3,828rows

    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

    13,048rows

    Download recorded source urls (CSV)

  • Matched consumer platform membership

    platform-membership.csv

    One row per answer in the identical-question platform comparison.

    Answer ID, question ID, product, consumer and platform; 22 identical questions per platform

    88rows

    Download matched consumer platform membership (CSV)

  • Matched regional platform membership

    regional-platform-membership.csv

    One row per answer in the identical-question regional platform comparison.

    Answer ID, question ID, product, region and platform; 31 identical questions per platform

    124rows

    Download matched regional platform membership (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

Could my rental history, past claims or previous property damage affect future house insurance eligibility?

Yes. In New Zealand, your rental history, previous insurance claims, and past property damage can affect your eligibility for house insurance, the premium you pay, or the conditions an insurer offers. However, it depends on the circumstances, and a past problem does not automatically mean you will be refused cover.

It helps to distinguish between your history as a tenant and your history as a property owner, because insurers may assess these differently.

How each factor can affect you

  • Rental history: Simply having rented a property, or having a difficult tenancy, does not automatically prevent you from getting house insurance. However, a history involving deliberate property damage, unpaid insurance-related losses, or dishonest claims may raise concerns if an insurer asks about it.
  • Previous insurance claims: Insurers may consider the number, frequency, type and cost of previous claims when deciding whether to offer cover, set a premium, apply an excess, or impose exclusions.
  • Previous property damage: Damage caused accidentally is different from deliberate damage or damage left unrepaired. Insurers may be concerned about recurring problems, unresolved damage, or evidence that a property has not been maintained.
  • Claims declined or policies cancelled: These can be particularly relevant if an application asks about them. The reason for the decision matters, and you should answer the insurer's questions accurately.

What matters most in practice?

Your situation Possible effect on future cover
You rented several homes with no problems Usually not an issue by itself
You made one genuine, accidental claim May affect pricing or underwriting, but doesn't automatically mean refusal
You have several claims in a short period May lead to higher premiums, a higher excess, or refusal
You caused damage that remains unrepaired The insurer may exclude existing damage or require repairs before covering related risks
A previous insurer declined cover or imposed special conditions You may be asked to disclose this when applying elsewhere
You deliberately damaged property or made a dishonest claim Could make obtaining cover more difficult

These are general possibilities, not fixed rules. Each insurer has its own underwriting criteria.

What should you do before applying?

  1. Answer application questions honestly. The Insurance Council of New Zealand explains that relevant claims, previous refusals and special conditions may need to be disclosed. Failing to disclose relevant information can affect a future claim or policy. Duty of Disclosure: What to Tell Your InsurerInsurance
  2. Get any property damage repaired where possible, and keep receipts, inspection reports and photographs.
  3. Try more than one insurer or use an insurance broker. If one insurer declines your application, ask whether it can offer cover with a higher excess or specific exclusions.
  4. Explain the circumstances. If a claim was accidental, involved a previous tenant, or arose from an event outside your control, explain that clearly rather than assuming the insurer knows the details.

For further guidance, you can read the Insurance Council's guide to what you need to tell your insurer and New Zealand's Consumer Protection insurance guidance.

Can I help you assess your particular situation?

The key distinction is whether you're applying to insure a home you own or whether your history as a tenant is the concern.

Which situation applies to you?

  • A. I'm a tenant with previous rental property damage and want to buy a house.
  • B. I own a house and have made previous insurance claims.
  • C. A previous insurer refused cover, cancelled my policy, or imposed special conditions.
  • D. I caused damage to a rental property and am worried it will affect my ability to get house insurance.

You can choose more than one. I'll explain how that situation could affect your options in New Zealand.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

Could my rental history, past claims or previous property damage affect future house insurance eligibility?

Yes, your rental history, past insurance claims, and previous property damage can definitely affect your future house insurance eligibility and premiums in New Zealand.

Insurers assess risk based on past behavior and history. How each factor impacts you depends on several key areas:

1. Past Insurance Claims and the Insurance Claims Register (ICR)

  • The Shared Database: Most major insurance companies in New Zealand (including IAG brands like State and AMI, Vero, Tower, AA Insurance, and FMG) participate in the Insurance Claims Register (ICR). This database tracks insurance claims made by individuals over the past 10 years.
  • Impact of Multiple Claims: If you have a high frequency of past claims (even for accidental damage or weather events), insurers may view you as a higher risk. This can result in higher excesses, increased premiums, or, in extreme cases, declined coverage.
  • Non-Disclosure Risks: When applying for a new policy, you are legally required to disclose your claims history. Failing to declare past claims can be viewed as non-disclosure, which can void your insurance policy when you need it most.

2. Previous Property Damage

  • Property-Specific History: Insurers don't just look at your personal history; they also look at the history of the physical address. Underwriters check if a house has a history of previous natural disaster damage (e.g., earthquake claims, landslips, or major flood events).
  • Unrepaired Damage: If a property you own or are looking to purchase has unmanaged or uncompleted repairs from past damage, getting standard house insurance can be extremely difficult or outright declined until structural integrity is restored.

3. Rental History and Landlord Record

  • Tenant vs. Landlord Standing: If you have a history of renting, standard home/house insurance policies typically apply to homeowners or landlords rather than tenants. However, if you are a landlord, your past claims history under Landlord Insurance policies (such as claims for tenant-caused malicious damage, abandonment, or loss of rent) is logged.
  • Tenancy Tribunal Records: While standard house insurers do not typically plug directly into the Tenancy Tribunal database to check tenant disputes, a history of poor property care can cross over if it led to formal insurance claims or legal liabilities.

What steps can you take?

  1. Check Your Record: You can request a copy of your personal data from the Insurance Claims Register (via participating insurers) under the Privacy Act 2020 to see what history is currently logged against your name.
  2. Be Fully Transparent: Always disclose your accurate claims history when asked by a new insurer to avoid any issues with policy validity.
  3. Keep Maintenance Records: If you've had property damage in the past, keep clear documentation and receipts proving that professional, compliant repairs were carried out.

Would you like assistance on how to request your personal report from the Insurance Claims Register?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

Could my rental history, past claims or previous property damage affect future house insurance eligibility?

AI Overview

Yes, your insurance history, personal claims, and previous property damage can directly impact your future house insurance eligibility and premiums in New Zealand. Under New Zealand law, you have a duty of disclosure , meaning you must answer all underwriting questions honestly and report any "material facts" that could influence an insurer's risk assessment.

1. Past Personal Claims

Your individual claim footprint stays with you, not just the house.

  • The Risk Impact: Insurers look at frequency and severity. If you have made multiple claims in the last 3 to 5 years (e.g., for accidental damage or water leaks), insurers may view you as a higher-risk client.

  • The Outcome: This can lead to higher premiums , an increased excess (the amount you pay out-of-pocket per claim), or strict policy exclusions. In extreme cases of high frequency, an insurer might decline to offer you cover entirely.

2. Previous Property Damage

The physical history of the house itself is a critical factor for insurers.

  • The Risk Impact: If the property has pre-existing structural issues, active weathertightness problems ("leaky home" history), or un-repaired damage, it significantly alters the risk profile.

  • The Outcome: Insurers may require a pre-purchase building inspection report or a clean weathertightness report before granting standard coverage. They will often exclude coverage for any loss stemming from un-repaired or pre-existing damage.

3. Natural Hazard and EQC Claims

In New Zealand, history regarding natural disasters is heavily scrutinized.

  • The Risk Impact: You must disclose whether the property has been subject to previous private or Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) —formerly EQC—claims.

  • The Outcome: If previous disaster damage was not repaired to standard, or if the property has a Council "Section 72" notice on its record of title indicating it sits on land vulnerable to natural hazards (like flooding or landslips), getting house insurance can be exceptionally difficult or require specialist underwriting.

4. Rental History

As a general rule, your personal history as a tenant (such as a standard residential renting record or minor disputes over a bond) does not typically affect your ability to get standard owner-occupier house insurance.

  • When it does matter: If you are applying for Landlord Insurance to rent out a property you own, your history of property management matters. Insurers require you to meet strict landlord obligations, such as conducting rigorous tenant background/credit checks and routine inspections. If you have a history of failing to manage tenancies properly, it can invalidate a landlord policy.

Summary Checklist for Applicants

Factor Direct Impact on House Insurance
Frequent Past Claims Can increase premiums, increase excess, or result in a declined policy.
Unrepaired Damage Typically excluded from coverage; may block policy approval altogether.
Past NHC/EQC Claims Requires proof of managed repairs; failure to disclose can void your policy.
Personal Rental History Minor to no impact for owner-occupier policies; highly relevant if you are the landlord.

If you are currently evaluating a property or preparing an application, let me know:

  • Are you looking to buy a new home or looking for landlord cover?

  • Has the property in question sustained any prior weather or earthquake damage?

  • Have you had a claim declined or cancelled by an insurer in the past?

I can give you specific steps on how to check a property's claim history or navigate disclosure requirements.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

Could my rental history, past claims or previous property damage affect future house insurance eligibility?

Past insurance claims and previous property damage heavily affect future house insurance eligibility and pricing in New Zealand , whereas general residential rental history on its own is typically not tracked or factored in by home insurers.

When you apply for house insurance or landlord insurance in New Zealand, insurers evaluate your risk profile using specific historical and physical data factors.

How Past Claims and Property Damage Affect Eligibility

  • The Insurance Claims Register (ICR): New Zealand insurers participate in the Insurance Claims Register (ICR), a centralized database tracking domestic insurance claims for up to 10 years. A high volume of past claims, or previous property damage at a specific address (such as historical storm, flood, or un-repaired land/structural damage), signals a high-risk profile.

  • Duty of Disclosure: Under New Zealand insurance law and the Fair Insurance Code, you have a legal duty to disclose all material facts when applying for cover. This includes past claims made under your name or previous damage associated with a property. Failing to disclose this ("material non-disclosure") can lead an insurer to decline coverage, reprice the policy significantly, or void a claim entirely.

  • Declined Cover or Special Terms: If your ICR report shows past fraud flags, severe losses, or repeated claims, insurers may refuse coverage outright, charge much higher excess fees, or exclude specific types of damage (like natural disaster or water damage).

How Rental History Fits In

  • Tenant vs. Owner Status: General residential rental history (such as tenancy tribunal records or how you treated a rental property as a tenant) does not feed into property insurance databases unless you were a landlord making landlord insurance claims.

  • Landlord Claims History: If you own investment properties and have previously claimed on your landlord insurance policy (for tenant default, malicious damage, or meth contamination), that history will be recorded on the ICR and will affect your future eligibility and premiums for insuring other investment properties.

If you'd like, let me know:

  • Are you applying as a homeowner or a landlord?
  • Do you have specific past claims or property damage you are concerned about disclosing?

I can help you understand how to approach your insurer or check your record.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026