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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

Our insurer increased our house premium and excess after we made a claim. Can we move to another insurer without losing cover?

Yes — in New Zealand, you can generally switch home insurers after making a claim without losing cover, provided another insurer agrees to insure your property and you arrange the changeover carefully.

Your current insurer increasing your premium and excess after a claim doesn't automatically mean you have to stay with them. However, a new insurer may also charge more, impose a higher excess, or decline cover depending on your claims history, the property and the type of claim.

The most important thing is to secure the new policy before cancelling your existing one, so you don't leave your home uninsured, even for a day.

How to switch without losing cover

  1. Get quotes from other insurers. Tell them about your recent claim and ask whether they will insure your house on acceptable terms.
  2. Disclose the claim honestly. Answer questions about your claims history, damage and any outstanding repairs fully and accurately. Failure to disclose relevant information can jeopardise a future claim. InsuranceDuty of Disclosure: What to Tell Your Insurer
  3. Check the new policy carefully. Compare the premium, standard and special excesses, exclusions, sum insured, natural-disaster cover and any conditions relating to existing damage.
  4. Get confirmation that cover has been accepted. Make sure you know the exact start date and time of the new policy before cancelling the old one.
  5. Keep your existing insurer handling the original claim. If the claim is still being repaired or settled, ask both insurers how the change affects the claim. Switching insurers doesn't normally transfer responsibility for an existing claim to the new insurer.

Could the new insurer refuse to cover you?

Yes. Insurers assess risk differently, and your recent claim may affect their decision. Your chances can depend on the type of damage, whether repairs are complete, and whether the property has any unresolved issues.

If your claim involved flooding, a natural disaster, water ingress or structural damage, be particularly careful to check how the new policy treats existing damage and future damage from the same cause.

You can compare New Zealand policies through Consumer NZ's house insurance comparison. How to get the best house and contents insuranceAn insured’s duty of disclosure for replacement insurance

What if nobody else will insure your house?

Don't cancel your current cover while you investigate alternatives. If you believe your insurer has treated you unfairly, raise a complaint with them first. If it remains unresolved, you can approach their independent dispute-resolution scheme. The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme may be able to help if your insurer is a member. Home and contents insurance: How to make a claimInsurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme

One important question

What was your house insurance claim for?

For example, was it for a leak or water damage, a storm or flood, a fire, or something else? And has the damage been fully repaired?

That makes a significant difference to how straightforward it may be to switch insurers without creating gaps or exclusions in your cover.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

Our insurer increased our house premium and excess after we made a claim. Can we move to another insurer without losing cover?

Yes, you can move to another insurer, but having a recent claim will affect how new insurers assess your application.

When you apply for a new house insurance policy in New Zealand, you are legally required to disclose your claims history (usually looking back the past 3 to 5 years). How a new insurer handles your application depends on a few key factors:

What to Expect When Switching

  • Underwriting Assessment: New insurers will ask about your recent claim. Depending on the nature, cost, and frequency of the claim, they may accept you normally, charge a higher premium (a "loading"), impose a higher excess, or—in rare cases of multiple recent claims—decline coverage.
  • No "Losing Cover" Legally, But Timing is Critical: You won't lose your existing cover just by shopping around, but never cancel your current policy until your new policy is fully approved and in writing. If you cancel first and a new insurer declines you or delays acceptance due to your claims history, you could be left completely uninsured.
  • Pre-existing Damage: A new insurer will only cover future accidental loss or damage. They will not cover any unresolved issues or damage related to your recent claim.

Steps to Take Before Switching

  1. Secure the New Policy First: Apply for quotes with alternative providers and fully disclose the recent claim. Wait until you receive formal written confirmation of acceptance and set the start date to match the exact moment your old policy ends.
  2. Weigh the Cost vs. Benefits: Keep in mind that insurance premiums have risen across New Zealand. A new provider might still factor your recent claim into their pricing, so compare quotes carefully to ensure switching actually saves you money or offers better terms.
  3. Check for Cancellation Fees: Review your current policy to see if your insurer charges a fee for cancelling mid-term (though many allow you to switch penalty-free right around your annual renewal date).

Are you currently coming up on your annual policy renewal date, or are you looking to switch mid-term?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

Our insurer increased our house premium and excess after we made a claim. Can we move to another insurer without losing cover?

AI Overview

Yes, you can absolutely switch to another insurer without losing cover. In New Zealand, you are free to change insurance providers at any time, but you must ensure your new policy is fully active before you cancel your existing one to avoid a dangerous gap in coverage.

While switching is straightforward, your recent claim will impact the process. Here is what you need to consider and how to manage the transition smoothly.

📋 Key Steps for a Safe Switch

  • Secure the new policy first. Never cancel your current insurance until the new provider has formally accepted your application and confirmed the start date.

  • Disclose your claim history. You must legally and honestly answer all questions about past claims. Failing to disclose your recent claim can void your new policy entirely.

  • Coordinate the dates. Set the cancellation date of your old policy to match the exact start date of your new policy so you are never left uninsured.

⚠️ Challenges You Might Face

Because you have a recent claim, moving insurers might not automatically result in lower costs. New Zealand insurers assess risk similarly, meaning a new provider may also offer a higher premium or higher excess based on your history.

  • Underwriting scrutiny: The new insurer will ask about the nature of the claim (e.g., weather damage, accidental damage, or burglary) to determine if your property is now considered higher risk.

  • Temporary exclusions: If the damage from your claim has not been fully repaired yet, a new insurer may refuse to cover that specific issue until repairs are completed by your current insurer.

💡 Alternative Options with Your Current Insurer

Before switching, it may be worth trying to lower your current premium by adjusting your policy structure:

  • Voluntary Excess: Ask to increase your excess even further. A higher out-of-pocket cost during a claim will lower your ongoing premium.

  • Review Sum Insured: Check if your "sum insured" (the total cost to rebuild your home) is accurate. If it is set too high, you are paying for cover you do not need.

  • Policy Bundling: See if your current insurer offers multi-policy discounts if you move your car or contents insurance to them.

To help find the best strategy for your situation, could you tell me:

  • What type of event caused the claim (e.g., natural disaster, water leak, accident)?

  • Have the repairs been fully completed yet?

  • Approximately how much did the premium increase?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

Our insurer increased our house premium and excess after we made a claim. Can we move to another insurer without losing cover?

Yes, you can move to another insurer, but you must secure and confirm your new policy before cancelling your current one to avoid any gap in cover.

When shopping around after making a claim, keep these key factors in mind:

  • Duty of Disclosure: Under New Zealand insurance law, you have a legal duty to disclose all material information when applying for a new policy. This includes your recent claims history. Do not hide the previous claim, as failing to disclose it can lead to the new insurer declining future claims or voiding the policy entirely.

  • Impact on New Quotes: New insurers will ask about your claims history over the past 3 to 5 years. Having a recent claim may affect your new quotes or result in a higher premium or excess with a different provider as well, as insurers move toward risk-based pricing.

  • Unresolved Claims: If your recent claim is still active (i.e., repairs are not yet fully completed or settled), moving insurers can be complex. You generally need to keep the claim with your current insurer until it is fully resolved, or clarify with the new insurer how they handle properties with ongoing or recent damage/repairs.

  • Timing the Switch: Make sure your new policy's start date aligns precisely with the cancellation or expiry date of your old policy so your home is never unprotected. Check your current policy for any cancellation fees before pulling the trigger.

You can check guidance on consumer rights and insurance trends through Consumer NZ or review disclosure guidelines via the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ).

If you'd like, let me know:

  • Is your previous claim fully settled and repaired , or still in progress?
  • How long have you had the current policy?

I can help you figure out the best timing and what details you'll need ready when approaching a new provider.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026