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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

How do different contents policies handle natural-disaster excesses and temporary relocation?

In New Zealand, contents insurance policies generally deal with natural-disaster excesses and temporary relocation in two separate ways:

1. Natural-disaster excesses

A contents policy excess is the amount you contribute toward an accepted claim before the insurer pays the rest. The exact amount depends on your insurer and policy wording.

For natural disasters:

  • Contents are generally not covered by Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) cover. NHC cover mainly applies to eligible residential buildings and some land damage; household belongings are handled through your private insurer if you have contents insurance. Natural Hazards
  • Your private contents insurer will usually apply the normal contents excess (or any special excess stated in the policy) to damage caused by an insured event such as flood, storm, earthquake, or other natural hazard.
  • Some policies may have different excesses for certain events (for example, earthquake-related claims), so the policy schedule and wording matter. NZI Site
  • If damage falls below the excess, you may not receive a payout even though the event itself is covered. Natural Hazards

2. Temporary relocation and accommodation

Many New Zealand contents policies include a benefit for temporary accommodation if your home cannot be lived in after an insured event. Consumer NZ

Common features include:

  • When it applies

    • Your home is uninhabitable because of covered damage (for example, earthquake or flood damage where the policy responds).
    • Some policies also cover situations where authorities require you to evacuate, even if the home has not yet been damaged, provided the policy conditions are met. ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand

  • What may be covered

    • Reasonable additional accommodation costs.
    • Moving your belongings to temporary accommodation.
    • Storage of contents and moving them back later.
    • Sometimes pet accommodation. Consumer NZ

  • Limits

    • Policies usually impose a dollar limit, time limit, or both.
    • The amount varies significantly between insurers and policy levels. Consumer NZ
    • Some comprehensive policies provide higher temporary accommodation limits than basic policies. Consumer NZ

Key difference: NHC cover vs contents insurance

Issue NHC cover Contents insurance
Household belongings Usually not covered Usually covered if insured
Temporary accommodation Not covered Often covered
Excess NHC-specific excess rules Your contents policy excess
Moving/storage costs Not generally included Often included if policy provides relocation cover

Natural Hazards

What to check in a contents policy

For a New Zealand contents policy, look for:

  • “Natural disaster” or “natural hazard” excess
  • “Temporary accommodation” or “alternative accommodation” benefit
  • Whether evacuation orders are covered
  • Maximum accommodation amount
  • Maximum number of days/months
  • Whether storage and moving costs are included
  • Whether the benefit is available to renters as well as homeowners

The wording differs quite a lot between insurers, so two policies with the same premium can provide very different relocation support. Consumer NZ

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

How do different contents policies handle natural-disaster excesses and temporary relocation?

In New Zealand, private contents insurance policies manage natural-disaster excesses and temporary relocation through specific frameworks. Following industry updates (including changes from the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake, formerly EQC), contents insurance for natural disasters is handled entirely by private insurers.

Natural-Disaster Excesses

Unlike standard claims (which usually carry a flat excess like $400 or $500), natural disaster and catastrophe excesses can be structured differently:

  • Percentage-Based vs. Fixed Excesses: Many policies apply a specific natural disaster or earthquake excess, which is often calculated as a percentage of the total sum insured for contents (e.g., 1% to 2%) or set at a higher fixed dollar amount compared to a standard claim.
  • Per-Event Application: The excess typically applies per event. If a single storm or weather system causes multiple waves of damage over a short period, policy wording dictates whether it counts as one single event or multiple, affecting how many times an excess is deducted.
  • Deducted from Settlement: Insurers generally deduct the excess directly from the final cash payout or claim settlement rather than requiring you to pay it upfront out of pocket.

Temporary Relocation and Accommodation

If a natural disaster or severe weather event renders your home uninhabitable, how contents and temporary relocation policies respond depends largely on whether you own or rent:

  • Inclusion for Renters and Owners: Many comprehensive contents insurance policies include an Alternative/Temporary Accommodation benefit. For renters, this is a critical safeguard since a landlord's insurance does not cover a tenant's belongings or alternative living costs.
  • Scope of Costs Covered: If triggered, policies typically cover "fair and reasonable" short-term rental costs, reasonable moving and storage expenses for salvaged contents, and sometimes even kennel or cattery fees for domestic pets.
  • Limits and Caps: Temporary accommodation benefits are almost always capped. They are usually restricted either by a maximum total dollar amount (e.g., $20,000 to $40,000) or a strict time limit (such as 3 to 12 months), whichever comes first.
  • Interaction with External Support: Because major natural disasters can cause widespread delays in rebuilding, private insurance caps can occasionally run out before a home is fully repaired. In these scenarios, policyholders often transition to government or community assistance, such as the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) or Civil Defence / Work and Income (MSD) payments.

Would you like to review what specific triggers your current provider requires to declare a home uninhabitable for temporary accommodation claims?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

How do different contents policies handle natural-disaster excesses and temporary relocation?

AI Overview

In New Zealand, contents insurance policies handle natural disasters and temporary relocation through a combination of private policy wordings and the legislative rules of the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC).

The exact terms vary depending on the insurer and whether you own your home or rent.

1. Natural-Disaster Excesses

The approach to your excess depends on whether you have multiple insurance policies and which assets are damaged.

  • "One Incident, One Excess": For standard natural disaster claims affecting both your house and your belongings, most major New Zealand insurers (such as State and AMI) utilize a "one incident, one excess" policy. If you hold multiple policies with the same provider for the same address, you only pay a single excess—whichever is the highest.

  • The NHC (formerly EQC) Boundary: The NHC provides the first layer of cover (NHCover) for residential home buildings and defined residential land up to specific caps ($300,000 + GST for the building). However, the NHC does not cover contents.

  • Contents Excess: Because belongings are entirely excluded from NHCover, any claim for natural disaster damage to your possessions is managed solely through your private contents insurance policy. You will pay the standard or natural disaster excess defined in your specific contents policy schedule.

  • Special Natural Hazard Excesses: For general property damage, if you claim for assets that are explicitly excluded by the NHC but covered by your private policy (e.g., fences, driveways, or swimming pools), your insurer might levy a specific, fixed natural hazard excess (often $5,000) instead of your standard excess.

2. Temporary Relocation & Accommodation

If a natural disaster or severe weather event makes your home unliveable, your private contents insurance policy typically provides a Temporary Accommodation benefit. Note: The NHC does not pay for temporary accommodation; this relies entirely on your private insurance.

The handling of relocation varies by policy tier and whether you are a homeowner or a tenant:

Policy Limits & Financial Caps

Insurers apply caps on how much they will pay, which usually scales based on the policy tier:

  • Mid-to-High Tier Policies: Providers like State and AMI generally cap the temporary accommodation benefit at $30,000 , while AA Insurance caps it up to $40,000 per event under their primary home/contents policies. Premium policies with higher-end providers may feature significantly higher limits.

  • Time Limits: Benefits are usually restricted to a maximum timeframe (often 12 months) or end earlier if your home is repaired, you move into a newly purchased home, or your content claim is fully settled.

Renters vs. Homeowners

  • For Renters: If you have renters' contents insurance, the policy generally covers the difference in rent. If your temporary rental costs more than your previous rent, the insurer covers that additional financial gap for a set period (e.g., up to four weeks or until the claim is settled).

  • For Homeowners: The policy pays the reasonable costs of alternative accommodation while your primary dwelling is being repaired or rebuilt.

What is Included in Relocation Cover?

  • Moving and Storage: Most comprehensive policies cover the reasonable costs of packing, removing, and storing your contents while you are out of your home, as well as returning them once repairs are complete.

  • Pet Boarding: Temporary accommodation benefits frequently extend to cover the costs of booking your domestic pets into kennels or catteries if your temporary accommodation does not allow animals.

  • Evacuation Orders: Most policies now trigger the temporary accommodation benefit if you are ordered to evacuate by a local authority or government agency (e.g., Civil Defence) due to an imminent covered hazard, even if your house or contents have not yet suffered physical damage.

Direct Comparison Overview

Feature Standard Private Contents Policy NHCover (Toka Tū Ake)
Natural Disaster Excess Paid as per your private policy schedule; waived or consolidated if multiple policies suffer from the same event. Applies separately to home building and land claims.
Belongings / Contents Cover Covered up to your policy's chosen sum insured. Not covered.
Temporary Accommodation Included (typically capped between $30,000 to $40,000 or a specific time limit). Not covered.
Moving & Storage Costs Included under the temporary accommodation benefit. Not covered.

If you would like to look closely at a specific policy, please let me know:

  • The name of your insurance provider (e.g., AA Insurance, Tower, State, AMI)

  • Whether you own the home or are renting

I can help clarify the exact sub-limits and rules that apply to your situation.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

How do different contents policies handle natural-disaster excesses and temporary relocation?

In New Zealand , contents insurance policies handle natural disasters (such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, tsunamis, hydrothermal events, storms, and floods) through specific provisions regarding excesses and temporary relocation.

How different private insurers structure these elements varies, though common industry standards apply under the oversight of the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC) (formerly EQC).

1. Natural-Disaster Excesses

The excess is the out-of-pocket amount you pay before your insurance payout kicks in. For natural disasters, how policies apply excesses generally falls into two approaches:

  • Fixed Dollar Excess: Many standard contents policies apply a distinct, pre-agreed standard excess amount (e.g., $250 to $500) to any claim, including those triggered by storms, floods, or earthquakes.

  • Percentage-Based or Scaled Excess: For specific natural perils—most notably earthquakes or major landslips—some insurers apply a specific natural disaster excess calculated as a percentage of the total contents sum insured (often 1% to 2.5%, or subject to a minimum dollar floor).

  • Interaction with the NHC: Note that the government-backed NHCover levy collected through fire/home policies primarily applies to residential buildings and limited land. Standard contents damage from earthquakes or storms is generally handled directly by your private contents insurer under their own specific policy terms, sub-limits, and designated catastrophe excesses rather than drawing from the primary NHC building cap.

2. Temporary Relocation (Temporary Accommodation)

If a natural disaster renders your home completely uninhabitable, temporary relocation benefits dictate how alternative living arrangements are funded.

  • Inclusions under Contents vs. House Policies: Temporary accommodation provisions are most frequently embedded in house/home policies. However, if you are a renter with a standalone contents policy, or if your combined policy triggers accommodation due to severe contents/structural uninhabiting, policies may offer limited relocation support. For renters, some policies cover rent increases or temporary relocation costs up to a tight timeframe (e.g., up to 4 weeks). [AA Insurance]

  • Financial Caps and Limits: Insurers usually cap temporary accommodation benefits either by a hard financial ceiling (e.g., frequently ranging up to $20,000 to $40,000 for homeowners depending on the tier) or by a timeframe limit (e.g., up to 12 or 24 months, or ending immediately when repairs are completed or the claim is settled).

  • Covered vs. Excluded Expenses: Approved relocation benefits typically cover reasonable rent for a comparable temporary rental, moving costs, and essential storage for salvaged contents. They generally exclude day-to-day living expenses that you would have incurred anyway, such as groceries, utilities, and internet. Insurer pre-approval is almost universally required before incurring these ongoing temporary costs.

If you'd like, let me know:

  • Whether you are looking at a homeowner or renter policy context
  • If you are trying to understand a specific insurer's product wording

I can provide more tailored details on how limits or caps are structured.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026