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

What things often aren't covered by contents insurance, even when you think they should be?

In New Zealand, contents insurance is often misunderstood as “cover for anything that goes wrong with my belongings”. In practice, it is usually designed for sudden, accidental, unexpected events (such as theft, fire, or accidental damage if your policy includes it), rather than gradual problems or ownership costs. The exact exclusions depend on your policy wording. ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand

Things people are often surprised aren’t covered include:

  • Wear and tear

  • Mechanical or electrical breakdown

    • If a TV, washing machine, computer, or appliance simply stops working due to an internal fault, many contents policies won’t pay for a replacement unless the failure was caused by a covered event. AA Insurance

  • Slow leaks, mould, rot, and gradual damage

    • Damage that develops over time—such as mould from ongoing dampness, corrosion, rust, or deterioration—is commonly excluded. Some policies have limited exceptions for specific hidden damage, so the wording matters. ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand

  • Pest and vermin damage

  • Poor workmanship or faulty installation

    • If something is damaged because it was incorrectly installed, repaired, or assembled, the resulting loss may not be covered. AA Insurance

  • Items used for business purposes

    • Work equipment, stock, or business assets may have limited cover or no cover under a standard contents policy. Working from home for an employer may be treated differently from running a business from home. ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand

  • High-value items without being specifically listed

    • Jewellery, collectibles, cameras, artwork, bicycles, and other expensive items may have policy limits. You may need to specify them separately to get full cover. MAS

  • Belongings permanently kept away from the insured home

    • Contents insurance may not automatically cover items stored elsewhere, such as in a storage unit, another property, or a vehicle, unless your policy includes that situation. ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand

  • Intentional damage

  • Loss of value or inconvenience

    • Insurance generally pays for covered loss or damage, not things like disappointment, depreciation, loss of use, or the fact that a repaired item is no longer “as good as new” (unless a specific benefit applies). AA Insurance

A useful way to think about it: “My item was suddenly damaged by an event” is more likely to be covered than “my item gradually became unusable.” Consumer Protection

Before relying on a policy, check:

  • the exclusions section,
  • item limits (especially jewellery, electronics, bikes, tools),
  • whether you have replacement value or depreciated “present value” cover,
  • and whether you need to tell the insurer about changes such as working from home, renovations, or storing items elsewhere. Consumer Protection
Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

What things often aren't covered by contents insurance, even when you think they should be?

When buying or reviewing contents insurance in New Zealand, policyholders are often surprised by what isn't covered. Standard policies are designed to protect against sudden and accidental loss (like a fire, burglary, or a dropped television), meaning many common household mishaps and grey-area items fall outside standard definitions.

The things that often aren't covered by contents insurance—even when people reasonably expect them to be—include:

  • Gradual damage, wear, and tear: This is one of the most common sources of claim disputes. Damage that occurs over time—such as mould, mildew, rot, rust, corrosion, or the slow deterioration of fabrics and materials—is universally excluded. Insurance covers sudden accidents, not aging household items.
  • Pet damage: If a domestic pet chews, scratches, claws, pecks, or urinates on your carpets, couches, curtains, or shoes, standard contents policies typically exclude this. Insurers view pet behavior as a predictable risk rather than an "accidental external event."
  • Home business equipment and stock: People working from home often assume their professional gear is automatically protected. However, standard contents insurance generally excludes or severely limits items used for commercial or business purposes (such as professional-grade tools, extra inventory, or high-end business laptops).
  • Unspecified high-value items (above policy limits): Most policies have strict "single-item limits" or category caps for valuables like jewelry, watches, fine art, cameras, and bicycles. If you own a $10,000 engagement ring or a high-end electric bike but only carry a standard policy, you will likely only be paid out up to the default limit (often around $2,000 to $5,000) unless you specifically itemize and schedule them on your policy.
  • Mechanical or electrical breakdown: If a household appliance (like a fridge, washing machine, or TV) simply stops working due to an internal mechanical failure or motor burnout, it is not covered. Contents insurance covers external accidents, not manufacturer faults or appliances wearing out. (Note: Some policies cover spoiled food if the fridge breaks down, but the appliance itself usually isn't replaced unless caused by an insured event like a power surge).
  • Pests and vermin: Damage caused by insects, rats, mice, lizards, or other vermin (such as chewed wiring, ruined insulation, or damaged clothing) is typically excluded as a maintenance or pest-control issue rather than an insurable accident.
  • Motor vehicles and certain transport: Standard contents insurance excludes motor vehicles, caravans, trailers, and aircraft. While bicycles, e-scooters, and mobility scooters are sometimes covered or conditionally included, larger off-road vehicles (like quad bikes or dirt bikes) often have strict sub-limits or require separate motor policies.

Are you looking at a specific item or policy wording in New Zealand that you'd like help checking?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

What things often aren't covered by contents insurance, even when you think they should be?

AI Overview

In New Zealand, contents insurance is designed to protect your personal belongings from sudden, unforeseen events like fire, burglary, or natural disasters. However, insurers apply explicit exclusions and policy limits that catch many Kiwis off guard.

The standard exclusions and limits typically omitted from basic contents insurance policies include:

1. High-Value Items Over the "Policy Limit"

While a policy might feature a total sum insured of $100,000, specific categories have strict individual item limits.

  • Jewellery and Watches: Most insurers cap payouts for a single piece of jewellery between $2,000 and $5,000 unless it is explicitly specified on the policy schedule with an appraisal.

  • Bicycles and E-Bikes: Standard policies frequently restrict coverage for sporting gear, e-bikes, and high-end bicycles to a couple of thousand dollars per item.

  • Collections and Art: Cameras, fine art, and rare collections usually face capped limits per event.

2. Gradual Damage and Wear and Tear

Insurance is for sudden accidents, not inevitable deterioration.

  • General Wear: A couch sagging over time, threadbare carpets, or a fading mattress are never covered.

  • Slow Leaks: If an internal pipe leaks slowly behind a wall and rots a piece of furniture over several months, it is excluded as gradual damage. Note: Some comprehensive policies offer a small extension (often capped at $3,000) for hidden gradual water damage, but it is not standard across all tiers.

3. Business Tools and Equipment

If a home is used for remote work or a side hustle, standard contents insurance will not automatically protect business assets. Computers, tools, and inventory used for commercial purposes are heavily capped or completely excluded under a domestic policy. A dedicated business policy or an explicit commercial add-on is required for full protection.

4. Items Stolen from Cars or Kept Away from Home

Belongings are primarily insured while located at the address listed on the policy.

  • Unattended Vehicles: If a laptop or phone is stolen from a car, coverage is often limited or denied unless the vehicle was fully locked and showed clear signs of forced entry.

  • Left Behind in Public: Leaving a phone on a cafe table or a bag at a library by accident is generally excluded under basic policies as it lacks an element of forced theft.

5. Animals, Pests, and Household Pets

  • Pet Damage: If a puppy chews up a designer rug or a cat scratches leather chairs, most standard policies will reject the claim.

  • Vermin Infestations: Damage inflicted by mice, rats, borer, or insects is viewed as a maintenance issue and is excluded entirely.

6. Guests and People "Lawfully on the Property"

If a home is burgled by a stranger, the loss is covered. However, if property is stolen or deliberately damaged by someone invited into the home (a party guest, flatmate, or service worker), the claim is typically declined.

7. Mechanical or Electrical Breakdown

If a television or refrigerator suddenly stops working because an internal component failed due to age or mechanical fault, contents insurance will not pay to fix it. Insurance only steps in if the failure was triggered by an insured external event, such as a power surge from a lightning strike or storm.

Recommendation: To avoid surprise out-of-pocket expenses, review the policy schedule to identify individual item limits and explicitly list high-value items with the insurer. Resources provided by the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) outline standard consumer exclusions.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

What things often aren't covered by contents insurance, even when you think they should be?

When people buy contents insurance in New Zealand , they often assume it covers everything inside their four walls. However, standard policies from providers regulated under the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) often exclude or heavily limit several surprising categories.

  • Gradual damage and wear-and-tear: Insurance covers sudden and accidental events (like a fire or sudden pipe burst), but it explicitly excludes damage that happens slowly over time. This includes rot, mildew, rust, corrosion, and general deterioration.

  • Damage by pests, insects, or pets: If mice, rats, moths, or termites chew through your couch or wiring, it is generally considered a maintenance or homeowner responsibility rather than an insurable accident. Damage caused by your own domestic pets chewing or scratching furniture is also typically excluded. [Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ)]

  • Items left in an unoccupied home: If your house is left empty for an extended period—usually Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) guidelines point to more than 60 consecutive days—cover for theft, vandalism, and accidental damage to contents drops out entirely unless pre-arranged with your insurer. [Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ)+1]

  • Business equipment and assets: Running a side hustle or working from home with high-end monitors, specialized tools, or commercial stock? Standard contents policies usually cap or completely exclude business assets, requiring a separate commercial extension. [Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ)+1]

  • Motor vehicles and motorized craft: While a bicycle or a lawnmower might be covered, cars, motorbikes, trailers, caravans, and ride-on mowers are motorized vehicles and are excluded from standard contents policies—they require their own dedicated vehicle insurance. [Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ)+1]

  • High-value single items over standard limits: Most policies have sub-limits for high-value items like expensive jewelry, watches, fine art, or rare collectibles. If a ring worth $15,000 is stolen, a policy with a default single-item limit of $2,000 will only pay out up to that lower cap unless you specifically "schedule" or itemize the high-value piece on your policy.

  • Unlicensed computer software and data: If your hard drive fries, the physical hardware might be covered, but the value of digital data, custom media libraries, or computer software you don't have legal user licenses for will not be replaced. [Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ)+1]

  • Plants and gardens: Outdoor trees, shrubs, and garden beds (and indoor potted plants) are typically excluded from damage or weather events, though the physical pot or container might occasionally be covered for accidental breakage. [Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ)]

If you want to check your current policy, let me know what specific items or scenarios you are worried about, and I can help you figure out if you might need an optional add-on or special rider.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026