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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

I've just bought my first home and rain has come through the ceiling. I've never made a house claim before. What do I do?

Sorry to hear that — a leaking ceiling is a stressful first claim to have to make. In New Zealand, the usual approach is to make the area safe, document the damage, and contact your insurer before doing anything beyond urgent repairs. Consumer NZ

Here’s what to do:

  1. Make it safe first

    • Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from the leak.
    • Put down buckets/towels if needed.
    • If water is near lights, wiring, or electrical appliances, switch off the power to that area if it is safe to do so.
    • Avoid standing under a sagging ceiling — waterlogged plasterboard can become heavy and collapse.

  2. Take photos and videos before cleaning up
    Capture:

    • The ceiling leak and any staining or damage.
    • Water on floors, walls, furniture, or belongings.
    • The outside of the house and the likely source (for example, roof area if safely visible).
    • Any damaged items.

    Insurers generally rely on this evidence when assessing claims, so take photos before moving or disposing of damaged things where possible. Consumer NZ

  3. Contact your home insurer as soon as you can

    • Tell them you have water damage from rain coming through the ceiling.
    • Ask whether they want to send an assessor before repairs.
    • Ask what urgent work you are authorised to arrange.

    Your insurer will guide the claims process and usually coordinate assessment of the damage. Natural Hazards Commission

  4. Only do urgent repairs to stop further damage
    Examples:

    • Covering a damaged roof area (if safe).
    • Removing standing water.
    • Getting a plumber/electrician/tradesperson if there is an immediate safety risk.

    Keep receipts and records. Avoid major repairs (such as replacing ceilings or repainting) until your insurer has assessed the damage unless they instruct you otherwise. ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand

  5. Write down what happened
    Make a simple timeline:

    • Date/time you noticed the leak.
    • Weather conditions.
    • What areas were affected.
    • What steps you took.
    • Who you contacted and when.

A couple of things that are useful to check:

  • Do you have house insurance already active from settlement day? (A claim generally depends on your policy being in force when the damage happened.)
  • Was the rain coming through because of a sudden event (for example storm damage), or does it look like a long-term roof leak? Insurance often treats sudden damage differently from gradual wear and maintenance issues, depending on the policy. ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand

If you tell me whether you’ve already moved in, whether the leak is still happening, and whether you know if it’s the roof or something else, I can help you work out the next practical step.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

I've just bought my first home and rain has come through the ceiling. I've never made a house claim before. What do I do?

1. Stop Further Damage and Mitigate

  • Catch the water: Place buckets, containers, or towels under active leaks to protect flooring, furniture, and electrical fixtures.
  • Turn off power if necessary: If water is leaking near light fixtures, power outlets, or the switchboard, turn off the affected circuit at your main switchboard immediately.
  • Document everything: Take clear, high-resolution photos and videos of the damage to the ceiling, walls, and any affected personal belongings before you clean up or throw anything away. Insurance assessors require visual proof of the initial damage.

2. Notify Your Insurer Immediately

  • Contact your house insurance provider as soon as possible to lodge a claim and get a claim number.
  • Do not start permanent repairs yet: Most insurers require you to lodge the claim and get their approval before authorizing permanent repairs. However, they will cover reasonable emergency measures (like putting a tarp over the roof or stopping a burst pipe) to prevent further loss.

3. Review Your Policy and Next Steps

  • Check your excess: Ask your insurer what your standard policy excess is for the claim.
  • Temporary accommodation: If the damage makes your home uninhabitable, check your policy's temporary accommodation clause, which many New Zealand house and contents policies cover.
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

I've just bought my first home and rain has come through the ceiling. I've never made a house claim before. What do I do?

AI Overview

Congratulations on buying your first home, though I am incredibly sorry this has happened. Finding water coming through your ceiling is stressful, especially when it is your first time dealing with home ownership and insurance.

Take a deep breath. Here is a clear, step-by-step guide to navigating your first house insurance claim in New Zealand:

1. Act Immediately to Stop More Damage (Emergency Mitigations)

In insurance terms, you have a duty to "mitigate loss". This means taking reasonable steps to stop things from getting worse:

  • Catch the water: Put buckets, plastic sheeting, or towels down to protect your flooring.

  • Move your belongings: Get furniture, electronics, and rugs out of the firing line to prevent a contents insurance claim alongside your house claim.

  • Make it safe: If water is pooling near light fittings or power sockets, turn off the electricity at your main mains board.

2. Document Everything (Do Not Clean Up Yet!)

Before you wipe up or fix anything, you must create a clear evidence trail for your insurer:

  • Take photos and videos: Shoot wide angles of the room and close-ups of the ceiling, where the water is dripping, and any ruined property.

  • Keep everything: If chunks of plasterboard fall down, or if you end up hiring emergency drying equipment, keep the debris and every single receipt.

3. Contact Your Insurer First

Call your private insurance company (e.g., AA Insurance, Tower, Vero, State, FMG) or your broker immediately to lodge the claim. Many have 24/7 emergency lines.

  • Get a claim number: Write this down; you will use it for all future communications.

  • Ask for authorization: Tell them what urgent steps you need to take (e.g., getting a plumber or a tarp on the roof). Ask them explicitly: "Am I authorized to arrange an emergency tarpaulin/plumber right now?"

  • Inquire about professional help: Insurers often work directly with emergency restoration companies (like JAE Restoration or iDry Restorations) who can come out with commercial dehumidifiers to dry your structural framing before mold sets in.

Crucial Things for a First-Time NZ Claimant to Know

  • Sudden vs. Gradual Damage: NZ home insurance is designed to cover sudden, accidental events (like a storm ripping off a tile or a pipe suddenly bursting). If the leak is due to historical rot, a rusted-out iron roof, or blocked gutters, it is considered "gradual damage" and may be declined or limited to a small "hidden gradual damage" cap (usually $1,000 to $5,000 depending on your policy).

  • The Excess: You will need to pay an excess (the amount you agree to contribute to a claim, usually between $500 and $1,000). The insurer deducts this from the total payout or asks you to pay it directly to the builder.

  • What about the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC Toka Tū Ake)? If the damage was caused by a major natural disaster (like a landslide or severe regional flooding), the government's Natural Hazards Commission (formerly EQC) steps in. However, you still lodge the claim through your private insurer , who will manage the NHC process on your behalf.

If you'd like me to help you look into the details, let me know:

  • Who is your insurance provider?

  • Do you know if the water is coming from a leaking roof (rain) or a burst upstairs plumbing pipe?

  • Did this happen during a recent severe storm?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

I've just bought my first home and rain has come through the ceiling. I've never made a house claim before. What do I do?

First off, congratulations on buying your first home—even though this is a very stressful way to kick things off! Take a deep breath. Dealing with a leak for the first time can feel overwhelming, but the process is straightforward if you take it step-by-step.

Here is what you need to do right now:

  • Stop further damage (Mitigate): Put a bucket under the leak, move any furniture, rugs, or electronics away from the water, and lay down towels. If it is safe to do so and the water is pooling on a sagging ceiling, you may need to carefully puncture a small hole in the lowest point of the sag to let it drain into a bucket rather than letting the whole ceiling collapse.

  • Document everything: Take clear photos and videos of the wet ceiling, the water coming in (if visible), the surrounding damage, and the contents affected before you clean anything up.

  • Save all receipts: If you have to buy a tarp, buckets, or pay an emergency call-out fee for a roofer to patch a hole temporarily, keep those receipts. Your insurer will usually reimburse emergency "make-safe" costs. [clearwaterspouting.co.nz]

  • Determine the cause: Look at whether this was caused by a sudden event (like a severe storm, wind lifting a tile, or a falling tree branch) or if it looks like a long-term issue (like neglected, rusted flashings or a gradual leak). Standard New Zealand house insurance covers sudden and accidental damage from storms or weather events, but typically excludes gradual damage or wear-and-tear. [AA Insurance]

  • Contact your private house insurer: Call your insurance company (or check their app/website) as soon as possible. Tell them you have had a sudden water ingress event through the ceiling. They will give you a claim number and guide you on whether they need an assessor or if you can get a local tradesperson/roofer to provide an inspection report.

  • Check for Natural Hazards involvement (if applicable): If the leak was caused by an explicit natural disaster event like a severe storm, flood, or landslide, the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (formerly EQC) may work alongside your private insurer, though your private insurer is still your first point of contact to lodge the claim.

If you'd like, let me know:

  • What caused the leak (e.g., a recent heavy storm, high winds, or a blocked gutter)?
  • Who your insurance provider is?

I can help give you a better idea of what they will likely ask for or how to structure your conversation with them.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026