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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 live in Otago and need contents insurance. Which companies should I get quotes from?

For contents insurance in Otago, I’d get quotes from at least four or five insurers, comparing both the annual premium and what you’d actually receive if you had to replace everything after a major loss.

My starting shortlist would be AA Insurance, AMI, State, Tower and MAS. I’d also check FMG, Trade Me Insurance and Vero, particularly if you live rurally or have specialist items to insure. Consumer NZ’s February 2026 comparison includes several of these providers, giving you a useful starting point. How to get the best house and contents insuranceBest house and contents insurance

Which insurers should you approach?

  1. AA Insurance

A good baseline quote, with comprehensive contents cover including accidental damage and cover for belongings around New Zealand. AA members may qualify for a discount. Contents Insurance - Get NZ wide coverInsurance from the AA

Get an AA Insurance quote

  1. AMI

Worth comparing for accidental loss or damage, temporary accommodation and cover for belongings affected by hidden internal water leaks, subject to policy limits. Contents Insurance | Get a Quick Quote & Buy OnlineHome & Contents Insurance

Get an AMI quote

  1. State Insurance

Offers comprehensive contents insurance with benefits including temporary accommodation, legal liability and cover for some hidden gradual water damage. Check the relevant limits and exclusions. Contents Insurance | Compare, Quote & Buy Online

Get a State quote

  1. Tower Insurance

Offers three cover levels, from Standard to Premium, with different limits and benefits. Compare these carefully if you own expensive electronics, a bicycle or other valuable items. Compare Contents Insurance NZ - Quote & buy online

Get a Tower quote

  1. MAS

Include MAS as another quote to compare, especially if you're eligible for membership. Check its current contents policy, eligibility requirements and premium for your address.

Visit MAS

  1. Trade Me Insurance

Another useful online quote. It offers new-for-old replacement cover and accidental damage cover in New Zealand, subject to policy conditions and limits. Trade Me Insurance

Get a Trade Me Insurance quote

  1. FMG

Particularly worth investigating if you live on a lifestyle block or rural property. FMG offers household contents insurance, as well as separate farm contents cover. Contents & Equipment Insurance Policy Wording

Visit FMG

  1. Vero

A useful alternative if you want advice through an insurance broker. Vero has Maxi and Flexi contents policies with different approaches to replacement value and accidental damage. Get the right protection for your contents

Explore Vero contents cover

What matters particularly in Otago?

Don't choose on price alone. When you request quotes, pay special attention to these five things:

  • Earthquakes, floods and other natural hazards: check what damage to contents is covered and what exclusions or excesses apply at your address.
  • Replacement value: does the policy replace items with new equivalents, or pay their depreciated, second-hand value?
  • Accidental damage: is dropping your laptop or breaking your television covered?
  • Items away from home: check the limits for phones, bicycles, jewellery, laptops and sporting equipment.
  • Excess and total premium: compare annual costs using the same excess and sum insured, rather than comparing different levels of cover. Consumer NZ explains these differences in its contents insurance buying guide. How to get the best house and contents insuranceGet the right protection for your contents

I can narrow this down for you

One detail would help me recommend which insurers to prioritise: are you renting or do you own your home?

That can affect which policy options are relevant, and I can tailor the shortlist for your situation in Otago.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

I live in Otago and need contents insurance. Which companies should I get quotes from?

When looking for contents insurance in the Otago region, it is best to get quotes from a mix of major national insurers and rural-specialist providers, as Otago features a diverse landscape ranging from urban centers like Dunedin and Queenstown to extensive rural and lifestyle blocks.

Key companies operating in New Zealand to consider for contents insurance quotes include:

  • AMI Insurance: A widely used national insurer offering comprehensive contents protection, including cover for accidental loss or damage, temporary accommodation benefits, and options to bundle with vehicle or house policies.
  • State Insurance: Known for strong customer service awards, State provides robust contents policies that feature coverage for belongings moving between homes, food spoilage, and legal liability.
  • Tower Insurance: Frequently recognized by industry awards (such as Canstar's Insurer of the Year for Home and Contents), Tower offers flexible, data-driven online quotes with plain-language policy wordings.
  • AA Insurance: A trusted provider in New Zealand offering reliable policy options, often providing multi-policy discounts if you combine contents with car or third-party insurance.
  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group): If you live on a lifestyle block, rural property, or farm in Otago, FMG is a strong choice because their policies are specifically tailored to rural residential risks and farm contents. They also hold high consumer satisfaction ratings.

Tips for Getting Quotes in Otago

  • Check the Fine Print on Natural Disasters: Ensure you understand how your provider handles weather-related events, which can occasionally impact specific micro-climates or flood-prone locations across Otago.
  • Specify High-Value Items: Standard policies often have caps on individual items like jewelry, artwork, or high-end electronics. Be sure to list these items separately if they exceed standard sub-limits.

If you like, I can help outline what details and inventory estimates you should prepare before filling out these online quote forms to ensure you get accurate coverage. Do you want me to do that?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

I live in Otago and need contents insurance. Which companies should I get quotes from?

AI Overview

To get the best contents insurance quotes in Otago, you should target a mix of traditional major providers, top-rated niche insurers, and digital-first challenger brands to find the right balance of price and coverage.

According to Consumer NZ’s industry tracking, the premium and average prices for contents-only insurance in Dunedin/Otago typically sit as the most affordable in the country , hovering around a median of $457 per year (compared to up to $793 in higher-risk regions like Wellington). However, because extreme weather and localized flood risks (such as in parts of South Dunedin) impact regional pricing, you should get multiple estimates to see how different insurers price your specific address.

1. The Top-Rated Customer Favorites

If your priority is high customer satisfaction, reliable claims management, and comprehensive policies, start with these two perennial award-winners:

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group) : Consistently ranked #1 for contents insurance in Consumer NZ’s annual satisfaction surveys. They are renowned for excellent local service and clear policy conditions.

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society) : Another top-rated provider that sweeps customer satisfaction awards alongside FMG. They offer very strong student and home-office contents extensions. Note: While historically restricted, MAS is widely accessible for professionals.

2. The Major Insurers (Best for Bundling)

If you already have a car or house policy, checking with the major market providers is vital to secure multi-policy discounts:

  • Tower Insurance : Awarded Canstar’s Home & Contents Insurer of the Year. Tower utilizes highly specific, address-level risk pricing, which can result in highly competitive premiums if your Otago home is away from known flood plains.

  • AA Insurance : Highly popular for their "Comprehensive" vs. "Limited" contents tiers and automated "one event, one excess" policy.

  • State Insurance & AMI: Both are backed by IAG (New Zealand's largest insurance group) and regularly score 5-star value ratings for their comprehensive coverage tiers.

3. Digital-First & Challenger Brands (Best for Quick Quotes)

For fast, online-only setups that bypass traditional call centers and often feature lower premiums:

  • Cove Insurance : A modern, digital provider allowing you to get a quote in less than two minutes and manage your policy seamlessly online. It is particularly popular with renters and flatmates.

  • Initio : A technology-driven Kiwi provider backed by NZI/IAG that specializes in streamlined, instant online property and contents quotes.

Key Details to Check Before You Sign

When reviewing your quotes from MoneyHub NZ's insurance guidelines, keep these factors in mind:

  • Legal Liability Cover: Essential for both renters and homeowners. Ensure the policy includes at least $2 million in legal liability to protect you if you accidentally cause major damage (like a fire or flood) to the property you occupy.

  • Sub-limits on Valuables: Standard policies cap payouts on specific categories (e.g., maximum $3,000 for e-bikes or hidden limits on jewelry, cameras, and laptops). If you have high-value items, you must specify them individually on your policy.

  • Cover "Out and About": Check if your items are protected when you leave the house. Some entry-level policies only cover theft if it happens explicitly inside your home.

To give you the most accurate advice, could you let me know if you are renting, flatting, or a homeowner , and roughly how much total cover ($ value) you think you need for your belongings?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

I live in Otago and need contents insurance. Which companies should I get quotes from?

When shopping for contents insurance in Otago, it is wise to get quotes from a mix of direct insurers, bank-backed brands, and consumer-voted favorites to compare both price and policy definitions (especially regarding natural disaster caps, accidental damage, and local weather event inclusions).

Top companies to approach for quotes include:

  • AA Insurance : Frequently top-rated for customer service and value, offering comprehensive and limited contents options with clear online quoting.

  • State Insurance : A widely used national provider providing broad accidental loss, damage, and theft provisions.

  • Tower : Known for flexible policies, easy online management, and a straightforward approach to calculating sum insured.

  • AMI : A well-established brand across New Zealand with deep roots in local community risk profiles.

  • NZI : Offers robust policies (like Distinction or Echelon contents), typically accessible through broker networks such as Rothbury Insurance Brokers if you prefer personalized advice for Otago-specific regional exposures.

  • Trade Me Insurance / Initio : Good alternative online options that underwrite through major institutional insurers for competitive digital pricing.

If you can share whether you are renting or a homeowner , and roughly what total sum insured you need, I can provide more tailored tips on what specific policy extras to look out for.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026