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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 clothes and appliances were ruined in a flood. Can we replace the essentials straight away, or should we wait for the insurer?

I’m sorry you’re dealing with that. In New Zealand, you can generally replace essential clothes and appliances after a flood without waiting for your insurer’s final approval — but it’s important to document the damage and check your policy or contact your insurer before making major purchases.

The key is to distinguish between buying what your household needs immediately and replacing everything that was damaged.

What you should do first

  • Buy essential clothing now if you need it. Reasonable purchases of basic clothes, underwear, socks and shoes are easier to justify than replacing an entire wardrobe straight away.
  • Replace urgent essentials where necessary. If you need a fridge to store food, a washing machine to maintain basic hygiene, or another essential appliance, contact your insurer first if practical. If you cannot reach them and the purchase cannot reasonably wait, document why it was necessary.
  • Don't throw away damaged items yet, if you can safely keep them. Take photos and videos of the damage, including brand names, model numbers and serial numbers for appliances.
  • Keep every receipt. Record what you bought, why it was necessary, and the cost. Choose reasonably priced replacements rather than upgrades.
  • Notify your insurer promptly. Ask whether they require an inspection, whether you need approval before replacing appliances, and whether emergency or temporary replacement costs are covered.

These steps follow guidance from the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ), which recommends contacting your insurer, documenting damaged items and keeping receipts for essential purchases. How to Make an Insurance ClaimICNZ Insurance Recovery Update, NZ (2023)Weather Recovery: Insurers Stand With Communities (2025)

What can you replace now?

Item Practical approach
Essential clothes and underwear Buy basic replacements now if needed.
Fridge or freezer Ask the insurer about urgent replacement or temporary options first, if possible.
Washing machine Check whether repair or replacement is covered before committing to a costly purchase.
Non-essential appliances, TVs and upgrades Wait for the insurer's assessment or approval where possible.
Items that are unsafe or contaminated Photograph and list them before disposal, where safe to do so.

What to ask your insurer

You can send them this message:

Writing

Our clothes and appliances have been ruined by flooding, and we need to replace essential items urgently. Can you please confirm whether we can buy basic replacement clothing and essential appliances before our claim is assessed, and what limits or approval requirements apply? We will keep all receipts and photographs of the damaged items. Please also advise whether temporary replacement appliances or emergency expenses are covered under our policy.

One important point: buying replacements does not automatically mean the insurer will reimburse the full cost. Your policy may specify replacement limits, depreciation or other conditions. ICNZ Consumer Guide 2025Insurance

For further guidance, see the ICNZ guide to making an insurance claim.

My recommendation: Get the basic clothes you need now rather than going without. For expensive appliances, contact your insurer first wherever practical, and keep a clear record of every purchase.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

Our clothes and appliances were ruined in a flood. Can we replace the essentials straight away, or should we wait for the insurer?

In New Zealand, you do not have to wait for an insurance assessor or permission to replace critical everyday essentials like basic clothing, school uniforms, or essential food.

Under New Zealand insurance guidelines and the Fair Insurance Code, policyholders have a duty to take reasonable steps to mitigate their loss, but insurers also understand that you need to function while a claim is processed.

What you can (and should) do straight away:

  1. Purchase immediate essentials: You can buy short-term necessities—such as a few days' worth of clothing, toiletries, and basic school items—so you can go to work and school.
  2. Handle spoiled food: Discard food spoiled by power outages or floodwaters immediately to prevent health hazards, but make sure to take photos and list the items before throwing them out.
  3. Keep every receipt: This is critical. Insurance companies will require proof of purchase for any emergency items you buy upfront to reimburse you later.

What you should check before buying major appliances:

While you can buy immediate personal essentials right away, big-ticket replacements like a refrigerator, washing machine, or structural repairs require a bit more caution:

  • Emergency temporary measures: If you need an appliance urgently (e.g., a small fridge for medication or baby formula), check with your insurer's claims line first, or keep purchases strictly limited to what is immediately necessary.
  • Do not throw away high-value items yet: Unless an item poses an immediate health or safety risk, leave damaged furniture and major appliances where they are until you have documented them thoroughly.

Next steps to take:

  1. Document everything: Take comprehensive photos and videos of all damaged clothes, appliances, and affected rooms before doing any cleanup. Mark flood levels on walls if applicable.
  2. Log your claim: Contact your contents insurance provider (or the Natural Hazards Commission / Toka Tū Ake EQC if applicable via your insurer) as soon as possible to get a claim number.
  3. Ask about emergency advances: Many New Zealand insurers can fast-track emergency payments or cash advances into your account within 24 to 48 hours for immediate hardship and clothing needs.

Would you like help listing out the specific details and photos you should gather for your insurer to ensure your claim isn't delayed?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

Our clothes and appliances were ruined in a flood. Can we replace the essentials straight away, or should we wait for the insurer?

AI Overview

Yes, you can replace or address essential items straight away to maintain health and safety , but you must carefully document everything first to ensure your contents insurance claim isn't compromised.

Major New Zealand insurers (such as AA Insurance, AMI, and State) do not expect you to live without essentials, but they require strict evidence before you dispose of or replace anything.

1. Document Everything First

Before moving, cleaning, or throwing away any clothes or appliances, you must build your evidence file:

  • Take Extensive Photos and Videos: Capture the items exactly where they were damaged. Take wide angles of the rooms, close-ups of the watermarks on the walls, and the mud/water damage on the items.

  • Capture Serial Numbers: For appliances (fridges, washing machines, etc.), photograph the make, model, and serial number plates.

  • Create a Written Inventory: List the brand, model, approximate age, and original purchase price of the items if you know them.

2. Handling Ruined Clothes & Linens

  • Do not discard immediately: Hang onto items if possible, or keep them outside if they are a health hazard.

  • If laundering is possible: If items can be saved by commercial laundering or dry cleaning, you can proceed with this. Keep all receipts , as these mitigation costs are generally covered under your claim.

  • If they must be thrown out: If fabrics are contaminated by black water (sewage-impacted floodwater) and must be dumped for health reasons, take individual photos of the pile before disposing of them.

3. Handling Ruined Appliances

  • Do not turn them on: Do not plug in or test appliances that have been exposed to water, as this is a severe safety hazard.

  • Keep them on-site if possible: Insurers often want an assessor or a technician to verify if an appliance is a "total loss" or repairable. Move them to a garage, porch, or outdoor area if they are blocking your living space.

4. Buying Replacements Straight Away

If you need to buy an essential appliance (like a fridge to keep food cold) or emergency clothing immediately:

  • You can pay out-of-pocket to replace them, but retain every single receipt.

  • Lodge your contents claim online as soon as possible. Let your insurer know you had to make an emergency purchase for health and sanitation reasons.

  • Check your policy or ask your insurer if you have an emergency payout or upfront cash allowance clause, which can help cover these immediate costs before the full claim settles.

To help tailor this advice, are you renting or do you own the property , and have you already logged a claim online with your insurer?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

Our clothes and appliances were ruined in a flood. Can we replace the essentials straight away, or should we wait for the insurer?

It is a stressful situation, but you should not go on a major shopping spree before talking to your insurer, though you don’t necessarily have to suffer without basic hygiene and safety necessities either.

The essential guidelines for handling ruined clothes and appliances in New Zealand include:

  • Contact your insurer first: Call your contents insurance provider as soon as possible. Let them know what happened and ask for their specific process regarding emergency temporary replacements or immediate needs.

  • Document everything meticulously before discarding: Take comprehensive photos and videos of all damaged clothes, appliances, and affected areas. Make a detailed written list (a loss schedule) of every ruined item. As the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman advises, throwing things away without proof can make your claim much harder to settle.

  • Know what you can throw away immediately: For health and safety reasons, you should discard severely contaminated or spoiled items (like rotten food from a dead fridge or soaked soft furnishings/bedding that pose a hygiene risk), but keep taking photos first.

  • Hold off on major appliance disposal/replacement: Do not throw away expensive electronics, hard furniture, or high-value appliances until the insurance assessor has given you the clear go-ahead or logged them, as they may need to inspect them. [Reddit·r/newzealand]

  • Ask about temporary/emergency accommodation or emergency payments: Many New Zealand policies include provisions for immediate emergency costs or temporary allowances if you are left without basic necessities (like clean clothes or a working fridge). Check with your provider before swiping your card so you know what they will reimburse.

If you can share:

  • Which insurance company you are with
  • Whether your home is still livable right now

I can give you more tailored advice on their specific emergency claims process.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026