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 Nelson. Which insurers should I look at?

If you're looking for house insurance in Nelson, New Zealand, I'd compare several insurers rather than going with the first quote. The key things to check are whether they cover your particular property, how they handle earthquake and flood risks, and whether the sum insured would be enough to rebuild your home.

Insurers to compare in Nelson

These are good starting points for a quote comparison. Availability, underwriting criteria and policy terms can vary by property.

AMI Insurance

A useful mainstream option to quote for a standard owner-occupied home. Compare its sum-insured limit, excesses and natural-disaster terms.

Get a quote from AMI

State Insurance

Worth comparing alongside AMI for home cover, particularly if you want to compare excess options and the effect of bundling policies.

Get a quote from State

AA Insurance

Another mainstream option. Check the policy wording for natural-hazard cover, exclusions and what happens if your home is damaged beyond repair.

Get a quote from AA Insurance

Tower Insurance

Include Tower in your comparison, especially if you're interested in how location-specific risks affect premiums. Ask about any property-specific restrictions or excesses.

Get a quote from Tower

MAS

Particularly worth investigating if you're eligible for membership. MAS offers house cover options including full area replacement, subject to eligibility and underwriting. House InsuranceHouse Insurance Policy Details

Explore MAS house insurance

FMG

Worth checking if your Nelson property is a lifestyle block, rural home or farm property. Confirm whether your property type qualifies.

Explore FMG insurance

These insurers are included in Consumer NZ's house and contents insurance comparison, alongside other providers. That is a useful independent starting point, although the cheapest policy nationally may not be the best fit for a particular Nelson address. Best house and contents insuranceHow to get the best house and contents insurance

What matters especially for a Nelson property?

  • Earthquake and natural hazards: Check the policy's excesses and exclusions, and how private insurance works alongside the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake cover.
  • Flooding and landslips: Hillside, low-lying and coastal properties can have different risk profiles. Ask the insurer about the specific address rather than relying on a regional average.
  • Rebuild cover: Check whether the policy pays a specified sum insured or offers a form of replacement cover. Make sure your estimate accounts for demolition, professional fees and current construction costs.
  • Excesses: Compare standard and natural-hazard excesses separately. A cheaper premium may come with a substantially higher excess.
  • Availability: If an insurer declines the property or imposes restrictions, try another insurer or a broker. Insurance availability can vary by location and property risk. House and contents insuranceWhat’s going on with home insurance?

Should you use a local insurance broker?

If your home is older, on a hillside, near a river or coast, or has a complicated construction history, I'd consider getting a broker to compare options as well as obtaining direct quotes.

Some Nelson-area brokers to contact include:

  • Rothbury Insurance Brokers Nelson — Level 1, 90 Collingwood Street, Nelson. Phone 03 553 1170.
  • Abbott Insurance Brokers Nelson — Level 1, 37 Bridge Street, Nelson. Phone 03 943 0607.
  • Nelson Bays Insurance Brokers — 83A Buxton Square, Nelson.

A broker can help you investigate cover options, but ask which insurers they can access and whether they charge fees.

I'll narrow it down for your house

The best shortlist depends on the property itself. Is it your own home that you live in, a rental, or a holiday home?

If you also share roughly when it was built and whether it's on flat land or a hillside, I can tailor the shortlist to the main risks and coverage options worth investigating.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

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

When looking for house insurance in New Zealand—including regions like Nelson—several major insurers and alternative providers operate nationwide. Because insurance underwriting can vary depending on local geographical risks (such as flood zones or land stability near the ranges and coast in the Nelson-Tasman area), it is best to compare quotes across a few different providers.

The primary house insurance options to look at include:

1. Major Insurers (Sum Insured & Standard Policies)

  • AA Insurance: Frequently rated highly for customer service and claim handling. They use independent calculators (like Cordell Sumsure) to help determine your rebuild cost and offer flexible sum-insured options alongside standard temporary accommodation benefits.
  • AMI: One of New Zealand's largest insurers, AMI provides broad home insurance policies with benefits like temporary accommodation and sustainability upgrade contributions. They are part of the IAG group, which also underwrites other well-known brands like State and NZI.
  • Tower: Known for providing fast online quotes and flexible sum-insured options. They also operate Trade Me Insurance, which uses similar underlying infrastructure.

2. Specialized or Alternative Providers

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society): Highly regarded if you qualify for membership (traditionally open to professionals, though they have broader criteria now). Notably, MAS is one of the few providers offering an area replacement (full rebuild cost) model rather than a strict fixed sum-insured cap, which protects against unexpected construction inflation.
  • Initio: A popular independent online insurer known for handling quotes quickly, including for properties that might fall outside standard automated guidelines.

3. Using Local Insurance Brokers in the Nelson Region

Because Nelson has specific regional micro-climates, flood risks (e.g., around the Maitai River or low-lying areas), and hillside stability considerations, dealing directly with a local broker can be very helpful. They can navigate multiple insurer portals on your behalf and find underwriters comfortable with specific regional risks. Local options include:

  • Rothbury Insurance Brokers (Nelson branch)
  • Waimea Insurance Brokers (serving Nelson, Richmond, and the wider Tasman region)
  • AnchorPoint NZ (Nelson-based independent brokers)

Key Tips for Getting Nelson House Insurance:

  • Sum Insured vs. Full Rebuild: Check whether your policy uses a fixed "Sum Insured" cap (meaning you carry the risk if construction costs spike) or a guaranteed/unlimited rebuild format. Always use the insurer’s recommended calculator (like Cordell or Cotality) to avoid underinsuring.
  • Natural Hazards Commission (NHC / Toka Tū Ake): All residential house insurance in New Zealand automatically includes government-backed natural disaster cover (EQCover/NHCover) for land damage, earthquakes, storms, and floods up to statutory limits, with your private insurer managing the claim.
  • Shop Around: Premium costs can vary significantly between providers based on your exact suburb, property age, construction materials, and risk profile. It is recommended to pull online quotes from at least three different providers.
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

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

AI Overview

When looking for house insurance in Nelson , you will find that the New Zealand market is dominated by a few large parent companies alongside notable independent and niche providers. Because insurers evaluate localized natural hazard risks—such as the flood and landslide risks relevant to Nelson—premiums can vary drastically between companies, making it critical to gather multiple quotes.

The primary insurers you should evaluate are categorized by their underwriting networks below:

The Main Insurance Groups

The vast majority of standard household insurance in New Zealand is underwritten by two major groups, alongside one primary domestic competitor:

  • IAG New Zealand : New Zealand's largest general insurance group. It operates through several highly recognizable brands:

  • AMI: Well-known for flexible policies like AMI Premier (ideal for older homes).

  • State: Typically targeted toward value-seeking customers looking for competitive baselines.

  • NZI: Generally distributed via insurance brokers rather than direct consumer channels.

  • Suncorp New Zealand : A massive Australian-backed group that underwrites widely trusted consumer policies:

  • AA Insurance: Consistently highly rated for customer service and claims handling. They offer benefits like full replacement cover for non-natural events (like fires) that exceed your sum insured.

  • Vero: Mainly available via brokers or bundled through major banks like ANZ.

  • Tower Insurance : A major, independent NZX-listed Kiwi insurer. Tower uses address-based risk pricing and offers multiple tiers (Standard, Plus, Premium) with unique perks like eco-friendly rebuild upgrades. They also underwrite house insurance for Westpac and white-label platforms like Trade Me Insurance.

Specialist & Mutual Insurers

Depending on your professional background or the specific type of property you own, these providers frequently top consumer satisfaction surveys:

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society) : A mutual company owned by its members, frequently winning Consumer People's Choice awards. They are highly regarded for comprehensive coverage, including "Full Area Replacement" options rather than strictly limiting payouts to a rigid sum-insured cap.

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group) : The leading choice if your Nelson property is a lifestyle block, rural holding, or farm. They specialize heavily in the unique liability and asset risks associated with semi-rural properties.

Nelson Insurer Comparison

Because companies utilize address-based pricing , they look closely at your exact street's elevation, proximity to waterways, and seismic risks. The table below highlights key policy features to contrast when fetching quotes from the major networks:

Insurer / Network Key Structural Benefit Hidden Gradual Water Damage Limit Notable Multi-Policy / Sign-on Perks
AA Insurance Excess-free glass options; replacement cover exceeding sum insured for fires Up to $5,000 AA Member discounts
Tower Sustainable rebuild upgrade options up to $15,000 Up to $3,000 (Premium tier) Promotional online sign-on discounts
AMI Clear tiers for older vs. brand new homes Up to $3,000 Multi-policy discounts
MAS Area Replacement cover options available Included under standard accidental terms Mutual member benefits

Crucial Tips for Nelson Homeowners

  • Calculate Your Sum Insured Carefully: Most NZ policies require you to state a maximum rebuild limit. Utilize the industry-standard Cordell Sum Sure Calculator to get an accurate estimate of local Nelson building costs so you don't end up underinsured.

  • Check the Water Damage Sub-limits: Nelson properties can suffer from hidden plumbing leaks. Ensure the "gradual damage" sub-limit is high enough to cover tearing up floors or walls to fix a slow pipe leak (look for $3,000 to $5,000 caps).

  • Bundle to Save: Most of these providers offer a 5% to 15% discount if you combine your house insurance with your contents or vehicle cover.

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

  • Is your property a standard residential home , a rental/landlord property , or a lifestyle block?

  • Are you looking to buy online directly , or do you prefer working through an insurance broker?

  • Does the property have any specific local environmental features (e.g., hillside retaining walls or closeness to a river)?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

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

When looking for house insurance in New Zealand, several major direct insurers, mutuals, and independent providers operate nationwide (including in the Nelson region). Because risk-based pricing applies—meaning factors like local weather/flood/earthquake risks in specific parts of Nelson can affect quotes—it is best to compare a few different providers.

The prominent house insurance options to look at include:

  • AA Insurance – Consistently popular for customer service and competitive policies, offering multi-policy discounts if you bundle car or contents.

  • AMI – A widely used nationwide insurer with extensive local repair networks, though customer satisfaction ratings vary.

  • Tower Insurance – Known for straightforward digital-first quoting and flexible sum-insured options.

  • State Insurance – Another major mainstream brand (part of the IAG group alongside AMI) offering comprehensive house covers.

  • FMG (Farmers' Mutual Group) – Frequently scores very high in Consumer NZ People’s Choice satisfaction awards, particularly strong if you are rural, lifestyle block, or provincial. [Consumer NZ]

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society) – Highly rated for customer satisfaction and one of the few offering specific area-replacement options rather than strict sum-insured caps, though eligibility criteria typically apply.

  • Initio – An online-based alternative that provides quick digital quotes and flexible landlord or owner-occupier policies. [MoneyHub NZ]

If you'd like, let me know:

  • Is the property a standard residential home , a rental/landlord property , or on a lifestyle block?
  • Do you prefer a sum insured or a specific type of policy feature?

I can help narrow down which of these providers might best fit your specific property type.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026