Search studies, brands and more…⌘ KExplore research

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'm looking for house insurance in Auckland. Which insurers should I look at?

If you're looking for house insurance in Auckland, New Zealand, I'd compare at least three or four insurers before choosing. The best option depends on your home's age, construction, roof type, replacement value, excess, and exposure to flooding or other natural hazards.

One important point for Auckland homeowners: compare the actual cover and exclusions, not just the annual premium. Two policies with similar prices can differ significantly in how they handle gradual damage, retaining walls, stormwater issues, and natural-hazard damage.

House insurers to compare in New Zealand

  1. AMI

A good starting point for a standard owner-occupied home. Compare its house cover, excess options and claims service.

Website: ami.co.nz

  1. AA Insurance

Worth comparing for straightforward home insurance and the option to arrange house and contents cover together.

Website: aainsurance.co.nz

  1. State

Another mainstream option to include in your quote comparison, especially if you want to compare excesses and optional benefits.

Website: state.co.nz

  1. Tower

Worth checking for its home insurance options and how its policy handles natural hazards, gradual damage and additional structures.

Website: tower.co.nz

  1. FMG

Another option to investigate, particularly if your property is on a lifestyle block or has rural characteristics. Check eligibility for your particular home.

Website: fmg.co.nz

  1. MAS

Worth considering if you value a member-owned insurer. MAS offers house cover with options including agreed value and area replacement, subject to policy terms and eligibility. House Insurance

Website: mas.co.nz

  1. Cove

A useful additional quote to check if you prefer an online-first experience and want to compare pricing with traditional insurers. Review the underwriting arrangements and policy wording carefully.

Website: coveinsurance.co.nz

These are a shortlist to investigate, not a ranking of the cheapest insurers. Consumer NZ's February 2026 comparison covers nine providers, including AA, AMI, State, Tower, FMG, MAS, Trade Me Insurance, Initio and AMP, and lets you compare policy features and customer satisfaction. Best house and contents insuranceHow to get the best house and contents insurance

What matters most for an Auckland property

Before accepting a quote, check these five things:

  • Flooding and surface water: Confirm how the policy treats flooding, stormwater overflow and water entering the home from outside. If the property has a flood history, ask specifically about exclusions and underwriting restrictions.
  • Landslips and retaining walls: Check cover limits and exclusions if the house is on a slope or has retaining walls.
  • Natural hazards: Understand how your private insurance works alongside the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC) cover, including applicable excesses and limits.
  • Rebuild value: Make sure the sum insured reflects the cost to rebuild, including demolition, professional fees and other relevant costs—not the property's market value.
  • Excesses and exclusions: Compare the standard excess, any additional natural-hazard excess, temporary accommodation limits and exclusions for gradual damage or defective workmanship.

Consumer NZ's house insurance buying guide is a useful independent starting point. How to get the best house and contents insurance

My recommendation

Start by getting quotes from AMI, AA Insurance, Tower and State, then add Cove or MAS as a comparison. Use the same rebuild estimate and, as far as possible, the same excess assumptions for each quote.

To narrow this down to the most suitable insurers for your situation, is the Auckland property a standalone house that you live in, a rental property, or a townhouse/unit? That makes a meaningful difference to which policies and insurers are worth prioritising.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

I'm looking for house insurance in Auckland. Which insurers should I look at?

When looking for house insurance in New Zealand, there are several prominent providers and digital-first options to consider. Insurers generally structure their policies around either a Sum Insured model (where you select a maximum payout limit) or Area Replacement/Full Rebuild cover.

The key providers to look at include:

1. Major Insurers & Household Brands

  • AA Insurance: Frequently rated highly for customer trust and service. They offer comprehensive policies covering natural hazards, fire, and accidental damage, alongside perks like temporary accommodation and member discounts.
  • AMI & State: Both are major brands under the IAG New Zealand umbrella. They offer robust, widespread coverage options with extensive repair networks and helpful online management platforms. AMI, for instance, includes features like temporary accommodation and sustainability upgrade allowances.
  • Tower: Known for competitive, risk-based pricing and a fully digital quote-and-buy experience. Tower offers tiered policy levels (such as Standard, Plus, and Premium) allowing you to tailor your coverage and sum insured options.

2. Mutual & Specialized Insurers

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society): Operates as a mutual society and stands out because it is one of the few insurers offering an Area Replacement model. Rather than forcing you to guess a fixed sum insured cap, full replacement cover pays out the actual cost to rebuild your home even if construction costs spike or heritage materials are required.
  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group): Highly rated for customer satisfaction (often winning consumer choice awards), particularly well-known for rural, lifestyle block, and urban residential properties alike.

3. Digital-First & Independent Providers

  • Initio: A fast-growing, digital-first Kiwi insurer popular for quick online quotes, transparent pricing, and flexible policies that work well even for non-standard or trickier properties.
  • Trade Me Insurance: Underwritten in partnership with major players like Tower, offering convenient online management directly integrated into the Trade Me platform.

What to Keep in Mind When Comparing:

  1. Sum Insured vs. Full Rebuild: Check whether the policy limits you to a fixed maximum dollar amount (Sum Insured) or covers the full cost to rebuild (Area Replacement). Under a sum insured model, you carry the risk if construction inflation outpaces your estimate. Tools like Cordell Sum Sure (often integrated into insurer websites) can help calculate an accurate rebuild figure.
  2. Natural Hazards Commission (NHC / Toka Tū Ake): Standard house insurance policies in New Zealand work alongside the government’s NHC cover for natural disasters like earthquakes, landslips, and volcanic activity.
  3. Add-ons and Benefits: Compare sub-limits for temporary accommodation, gradual water damage, and retaining wall coverage, as these can vary significantly between policies.

It is recommended to run quotes through 3 or 4 of these providers online to compare premiums, excesses, and policy wording side-by-side to find the best fit for your property type and budget.

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

I'm looking for house insurance in Auckland. Which insurers should I look at?

AI Overview

When looking for house insurance in Auckland, you should evaluate the major direct insurers, bank-white-labeled brands, and specialized brokers. House insurance premiums in Auckland average $2,111 annually , though your quote will vary significantly depending on address-based risk factors like local flood zones. House Insurance Northcote 2026 | Compare.org.nz3 Best House Insurance in NZ New Zealand Compared [2026 ]Check Auckland Flood Risk and Insurability Before You MoveCompare New Zealand Medical Insurers for Meaningful Benefits

1. Major Direct Insurers

These companies manage their own policies and are the most common starting points for direct quotes:

  • AA Insurance: Consistently highly rated for customer service. They offer standard sum-insured cover with potential multi-policy discounts if you bundle your vehicle or contents insurance.

  • Tower Insurance: Known for heavily utilizing address-based risk pricing. If your Auckland property is away from flood plains or coastal inundation areas, Tower can sometimes offer highly competitive rates.

  • AMI & State: Both are direct brands owned by IAG New Zealand , the country's largest insurance underwriter. They have extensive local coverage but maintain strict underwriting rules regarding flood-prone areas.

2. Bank-Branded and Underwritten Options

Most major New Zealand banks offer house insurance, which is typically underwritten by a larger corporate insurer but may include specific loyalty or mortgage-bundling discounts:

  • AMP: Offers comprehensive everyday plans with tiered options for gradual damage and personal liability up to $2,000,000. 3 Best House Insurance in NZ New Zealand Compared [2026 ]

  • ANZ, ASB, BNZ, and Westpac: These banks distribute home insurance policies underwritten by major firms (such as IAG or Vero). If you are securing a mortgage through them, bundling your insurance can streamline settlement and occasionally lower your premium.

3. Auckland-Specific Risk Checks Before Booking

Because NZ insurers have moved strictly toward risk-based pricing, your choice of insurer will depend on your property's specific location:

  • Check the Flood Viewer: Before applying for quotes, plug the address into the Auckland Council Flood Viewer to see if the property sits on an overland flow path or floodplain.

  • Verify Natural Hazard Cover (NHC): Note that the government’s Natural Hazards Commission (formerly EQC) covers earthquake and landslip damage up to $300,000 + GST , but storm or surface flooding damage to your structure is handled entirely by your private insurer.

To help narrow down your options, could you share the approximate age of the house or if it is located in a known low-lying or flood-prone area?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

I'm looking for house insurance in Auckland. Which insurers should I look at?

When shopping for house insurance in New Zealand , several major and alternative providers operate nationwide, offering policies tailored to different needs, property types, and budget levels.

The primary house insurance providers to look at include:

  • AA Insurance : Jointly owned by the New Zealand Automobile Association and Vero Insurance, widely recognized for high customer service ratings and straightforward policy structures.

  • AMI Insurance : One of New Zealand's most established direct insurers, owned by IAG New Zealand, with an extensive nationwide branch and claims network.

  • State Insurance : Another major brand under the IAG New Zealand umbrella, often noted for competitive pricing on combined and standalone property policies.

  • Tower Insurance : An NZX-listed, digital-first direct insurer known for flexible sum-insured options and user-friendly online quoting platforms.

  • Initio : A specialized online provider focusing on fast, digital-heavy processes that appeal to homeowners looking for streamlined policy management.

  • Youi : Operates directly with a personalized pricing model based on a detailed assessment of your specific home and location risks.

  • Major Banks : If you hold a mortgage, banks like ANZ, ASB, BNZ, and Westpac partner with major underwriters to offer integrated home insurance options. [Quashed]

To help compare options, you can use independent comparison services like MoneyHub or Quashed to evaluate policy inclusions, excess choices, and current market rates.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

  • Is the property owner-occupied or a rental/investment property?
  • Do you prefer a sum insured or total replacement model?

I can provide more targeted suggestions or points to watch out for.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026