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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

Which house insurers help find builders and somewhere to stay if I need to make a big claim?

In New Zealand, if you have a major house insurance claim — such as fire, flooding, storm damage or serious water damage — I'd look for an insurer that offers end-to-end claims management, rather than one that simply reimburses repair costs.

Two particularly important benefits to compare are:

  • Finding and managing builders: The insurer arranges assessors, repairers and tradespeople, and coordinates the repair work.
  • Temporary accommodation: The insurer helps arrange somewhere to live while your home is uninhabitable, ideally with the insurer paying the covered costs directly or reimbursing you.

One important distinction: an insurer may arrange repairs through its own network without personally finding a builder for you, and accommodation is generally subject to policy limits, eligibility rules and approval.

Insurers I'd shortlist

1. AA Insurance

Strong all-round option

AA says a dedicated Customer Manager guides you through your claim. It offers up to NZ$40,000 for temporary accommodation, including family and pets, subject to policy terms. It also includes 24/7 access to emergency tradespeople in selected areas. Home Insurance - get a quote and buy onlineHome Insurance Policy

Best for: someone wanting a clear claims contact and help coordinating the process.

Website: AA Insurance home cover

2. AMI

AMI's HomeHub repair service offers a project coordinator to help manage home repairs. Its home insurance advertises up to NZ$30,000 for temporary accommodation, including family and pets, subject to policy terms. Home & Contents InsuranceHome Insurance | Quote & Buy Home Insurance

One catch: AMI says you generally need to find and arrange the temporary accommodation yourself, then have the insurer confirm it meets the policy conditions. Tsunami | Disaster Claims HubStorms and Floods | Disaster Claims Hub

Best for: someone who particularly values a coordinated home-repair service.

Website: AMI home insurance

3. MAS

MAS says its claims adviser can coordinate with third parties, while an appointed assessor can provide direct help and identify local repairers suited to the damage. Its house policy also provides temporary accommodation if the property becomes uninhabitable, subject to the policy wording. Claims Process Guide

Best for: someone who wants a claims adviser and access to repairer expertise.

Website: MAS claims guide

These are a shortlist based on the services the insurers describe, not a ranking of claims satisfaction. In particular, a stated accommodation dollar limit doesn't guarantee that an insurer will book the accommodation for you.

4. Tower Insurance

Tower explicitly says that, if your home is unsafe, it can arrange for a builder to secure it. If your claim is accepted, its builder can then contact you to discuss and organise repairs. It assigns you a claims manager and offers temporary accommodation of up to NZ$30,000 on Premium cover. Something's happened to my house… now what? 2026Premium House Insurance

Best for: someone who wants the insurer to arrange builders directly, rather than just provide a claims contact.

Website: Tower house insurance

My recommendation

I'd start by comparing Tower, AA Insurance and AMI, focusing on how much practical help they provide when your home needs extensive repairs.

Insurer Published accommodation limit Repair support
AA Insurance $40,000 Customer Manager; emergency trades
AMI $30,000 HomeHub project coordinator
Tower Premium $30,000 Can arrange builders and manage repairs
MAS Check policy wording Claims adviser and assessor support

These limits are advertised benefits, not a guarantee of payment for every type of claim. In particular, Tower's accommodation cover has exclusions for some causes of damage, so compare the full policy wording. Home Insurance - get a quote and buy onlineHome & Contents InsurancePremium House InsuranceClaims Process Guide

The three questions I'd ask before buying

  1. Will you appoint and manage the builder for a major claim, including coordinating engineers, specialist trades and the repair schedule?
  2. Will you find and book temporary accommodation for us, or must we arrange it ourselves and claim the cost back?
  3. How long will accommodation be covered for, and what happens if rebuilding takes 12–18 months? Are pets, storage and additional moving costs covered?

The accommodation question is particularly important: New Zealand's Insurance Council notes that many policies require the homeowner to find their own accommodation, and that the benefit may run out before repairs are complete. ICNZ Consumer Guide 2025 – Temporary Accommodation benefits in House and Contents policiesHome and contents insurance: How to make a claim

One question that would help me narrow this down: Is your biggest concern a house that becomes unliveable after a fire or major water leak, or damage from a flood, storm or earthquake? The best policy fit can differ depending on the cause of damage.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

Which house insurers help find builders and somewhere to stay if I need to make a big claim?

In New Zealand, almost all major house insurance providers include temporary accommodation cover (often called alternative accommodation) and have networks of approved repairers and builders to manage major claims.

When your home is rendered uninhabitable by a covered event (such as a major fire, flood, or structural storm damage), major insurers handle these aspects in specific ways:

How Major New Zealand Insurers Handle It

  • AA Insurance: Provides up to specified dollar limits (e.g., up to $40,000 for homeowners) to cover reasonable alternative accommodation costs, and coordinates repairs through their network of managed builders and suppliers.
  • AMI & State (IAG brands): Both feature comprehensive home policies that include temporary accommodation support if your home is unsafe to live in. They manage the claims process directly, assigning accredited builders and project managers from their established contractor networks.
  • Tower: Offers temporary accommodation benefits under standard house plus policies until repairs are done or claims are settled. They coordinate the rebuild or repair using their contracted network of trade suppliers.
  • NZI: Provides robust alternative accommodation benefits (such as up to $150,000 on high-tier policies like Distinction Home) and features a nationwide network of approved trade suppliers and builders to get properties repaired.
  • Vero: Offers alternative accommodation support if your home is deemed uninhabitable (subject to policy caps), working alongside broker networks and preferred contractors to oversee repairs.

Key Things to Know About the Process

  1. Finding Builders: You usually don't have to source your own builder for a major claim. Major insurers prefer (and often require) you to use their approved contractor networks. These builders work directly with the insurer, streamlining quotes, approvals, and quality guarantees.
  2. Finding Somewhere to Stay: Insurers generally do not find the temporary rental property for you physically; rather, they pay for it (or reimburse you) up to your policy's financial or time limit. They will require you to get approval for the accommodation costs and ensure the rent is fair and reasonable.
  3. Policy Limits Apply: Temporary accommodation is almost always subject to a cap—either a maximum dollar amount (e.g., $20,000 to $40,000+ depending on the tier) or a maximum timeframe. Always check your specific policy schedule to see what limits apply.

Are you currently comparing policies, or dealing with an active claim and trying to figure out your next steps?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

Which house insurers help find builders and somewhere to stay if I need to make a big claim?

AI Overview

In New Zealand, major home insurers provide structured programs to appoint managed builders and offer financial allowances for temporary accommodation when your home is uninhabitable after a major incident.

1. Finding and Managing Builders

Rather than leaving you to find a builder during a high-demand crisis, major NZ insurers use pre-vetted, "nominated" builders or project management networks to oversee repairs:

  • AMI, State, and NZI: These brands utilize a specialized, in-house service called AMI HomeHub. They deploy project managers and code-compliant tradespeople to handle the entire scoping, building, and cleanup process from start to finish.

  • AA Insurance: For complex or severe damage, they assign an AA Insurance Project Manager (often via their partner network, MPS) to coordinate specialists, draft the scope of works, and secure licensed building practitioners to execute repairs.

  • Tower Insurance: They may manage and pay for the actual repair costs through their own network, though they also give homeowners the alternative flexibility of a cash settlement if preferred.

2. Temporary Accommodation Coverage

If your house is unsafe or undergoing major repairs, insurers will pay for alternative housing up to specific caps. Most policies also extend this cover to include kennel or cattery fees for domestic pets:

Insurer Temporary Accommodation Benefit Limit Notes / Conditions
AMI Up to $30,000 Included in comprehensive policies; also covers official evacuation orders.
AA Insurance Up to $40,000 (Premium) / $20,000 (Standard) Pays market rate for a household of your size; covers up to 12 months.
Tower Up to $30,000 (Premium) / $15,000 (Standard) Paid in addition to your house sum insured.
State & FMG Up to $30,000 Standard comprehensive policy caps.

Note: Always gain your insurer's approval before signing a temporary tenancy or hotel contract to ensure they cover the specific weekly rate.

If you are currently preparing a claim or shopping for a policy, let me know:

  • Are you looking at standard vs. premium policy tiers?

  • Is this for an active emergency, or are you comparing providers for a new policy?

  • Do you have pets or specific family size needs that require higher accommodation limits?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

Which house insurers help find builders and somewhere to stay if I need to make a big claim?

In New Zealand , major home insurers provide dedicated support to help you manage repairs (including sourcing builders/tradespeople) and cover temporary accommodation if your home is rendered uninhabitable by a major covered event.

Major New Zealand house insurers that handle both aspects include:

  • AA Insurance : Assigns a dedicated customer manager/project manager team to guide you through the claims process, arrange assessments, coordinate builders and tradespeople, and outline scopes of work. They also include a temporary accommodation benefit in their policies if your home is unsafe or uninhabitable.

  • AMI Insurance & State Insurance : Both use HomeHub , an integrated repair service network. HomeHub assigns a dedicated project coordinator who schedules, manages, and oversees trusted tradespeople and builders to complete repairs. Both brands also provide temporary accommodation benefits for evacuation or uninhabitable damage.

  • Tower Insurance : Provides managed repair options via their network of approved builders and assessors, alongside temporary accommodation benefits (with specific policy caps, e.g., up to $15,000 or more depending on the selected policy limits).

  • Vero Insurance / NZI : Also utilize managed repair networks and project coordinators through aligned corporate repair structures and provide temporary living allowances under standard policy benefits when a home cannot be lived in safely.

How the Process Generally Works

  1. Assessment & Approval: You lodge the claim, and an assessor evaluates the damage to determine if the home is uninhabitable.
  2. Temporary Accommodation : If you cannot safely stay in the home, the insurer activates your temporary accommodation benefit to help source and fund alternative rental accommodation, moving costs, or sometimes pet boarding.
  3. Managed Repairs : Instead of you having to hunt for independent builders, the insurer assigns a project coordinator or manager from their approved network (like HomeHub or contracted project management firms) who handles the scope of works and schedules vetted builders to complete the repairs to code.

If you'd like, let me know:

  • Which specific insurer you are currently with or considering
  • Whether you are looking at a specific type of event (e.g., natural disaster, fire, plumbing leak)

I can give you a closer breakdown of their exact temporary accommodation caps and repair procedures.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026