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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

We have young children and a lot of belongings to protect. Which NZ contents insurers should I look at?

For a family with young children and lots of belongings, I’d compare New Zealand contents insurers on more than just the annual premium. You want cover that can handle a major loss, accidental damage from everyday family life, and the cost of replacing all your belongings at today’s prices.

The key is to check both how much you’re insured for and what the policy actually covers. A cheaper policy can leave you exposed if it excludes accidental damage, limits valuable items, or has a high excess.

Five NZ insurers worth getting quotes from

These are a practical shortlist, not a ranking. I’d compare the comprehensive options first, especially because you have a lot to replace if something goes wrong.

1. AMI

Good for comparing everyday family protection

AMI's Contents Plus includes accidental loss or damage to most belongings anywhere in New Zealand, cover for hidden gradual damage from internal leaks up to $3,000 per year, and temporary accommodation costs up to $30,000. Contents Insurance | Get a Quick Quote & Buy Online

Get an AMI contents quote

2. State

Worth comparing alongside AMI

State's comprehensive contents cover includes accidental loss or damage in NZ, hidden gradual damage from internal plumbing leaks up to $3,000 a year, and temporary accommodation up to $30,000. Contents Insurance | Compare, Quote & Buy Online

Get a State contents quote

3. Tower

Useful if you want to compare different cover levels

Tower offers Standard, Plus and Premium contents policies. Its Premium option has higher limits for individual items, including phones and jewellery, and its policies include new-for-old replacement subject to the policy terms. Compare Contents Insurance NZ - Quote & buy online

Compare Tower contents policies

4. MAS

Worth checking for broad cover and specified valuables

MAS offers replacement-value cover, sudden accidental damage, theft and fire cover. Its published limits include $8,000 per bicycle and $5,000 for certain high-value items such as portable electronics and sports equipment, unless specified differently in your policy. MAS Contents InsuranceContents Insurance

Check its eligibility requirements when requesting a quote.

Explore MAS contents insurance

5. AA Insurance

A useful additional quote for comparison

Compare its current contents policy with the other providers, paying particular attention to replacement-value conditions, accidental damage, and the limits for individual belongings. Make sure you're reading the current policy wording rather than an older policy document. Contents Insurance Policy

Explore AA Insurance

What matters most for a family with young children

I'd use this checklist when comparing quotes.

  1. Enough cover to replace everything

Add up furniture, beds, clothing, toys, prams, car seats, appliances, computers, kitchenware and linen. Estimate what it costs to buy equivalent replacements new, rather than what you'd get selling everything second-hand.

  1. Accidental damage

Look for comprehensive cover for sudden accidents, not just theft and fire. Check the exclusions carefully: damage caused by children, spills, breakages and damage while cleaning may be treated differently depending on the policy.

  1. Limits on expensive individual items

Check the limits for laptops, phones, jewellery, bikes, cameras and other valuables. A high overall contents limit doesn't automatically mean every item is fully covered.

  1. Temporary accommodation and storage

If a fire or major event makes your home unliveable, you'll want enough help with accommodation and moving or storing your belongings while repairs happen.

  1. A manageable excess

Compare both the standard excess and any special excesses. Choose an amount you could comfortably pay if you needed to make a claim tomorrow.

Consumer NZ's contents and house insurance buying guide is a useful independent resource for checking replacement value, exclusions and policy limits. How to get the best house and contents insurance

My suggested next step

Get quotes from AMI, State and Tower first, then compare MAS and AA as additional options. Request the same contents sum insured and a similar excess for each, so you're comparing like with like.

One question that would help me narrow this down: do you own your home or rent it? That affects which policies and other cover details are most relevant for your family.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

We have young children and a lot of belongings to protect. Which NZ contents insurers should I look at?

When you have young children and a household full of valuable belongings, standard contents insurance may not always cut it. Families typically look for policies that include accidental damage (for spills, drops, and kid-related mishaps), robust temporary accommodation cover if your home becomes unsafe to live in, and sufficient limits on high-use items like electronics and bicycles.

Top New Zealand insurers to consider for family-focused contents protection include:

  • Tower – Known for winning major industry awards (such as Canstar's Insurer of the Year for Home & Contents), Tower offers flexible tiers (Standard, Plus, and Premium). Their Plus and Premium covers include high limits for everyday items like mobile phones and glasses, as well as dependable accidental damage protection across New Zealand.
  • AMI – A widely trusted Kiwi insurer that provides comprehensive accidental loss, damage, or theft cover. AMI is great for families because it includes practical perks like temporary accommodation support (up to $30,000), food spoilage cover if a freezer breaks down, and built-in legal liability protection.
  • AA Insurance – Frequently voted one of New Zealand's most trusted general insurers, AA offers comprehensive policies that feature new-for-old replacement (no depreciation on most items) and clear, family-friendly policy guidelines. They also offer multi-policy discounts if you bundle contents with car or home insurance.
  • State Insurance – Backed by a strong financial rating, State provides plain-language policies and comprehensive benefits including gradual damage cover from hidden leaks (up to $3,000), which can be a lifesaver in busy family households with heavy plumbing use.

Key Factors to Check for a Family Home:

  • Accidental Damage Cover: Ensure your policy isn't just "fire and theft" (restricted cover). You want full accidental damage so that if a toy damages a television or a liquid spill wrecks a laptop, you're covered.
  • Correct Sum Insured: Families often underestimate the total replacement value of clothes, toys, books, and appliances combined. Use an online calculator (such as Suncorp’s or Sorted’s contents calculator) to avoid being under-insured.
  • Temporary Accommodation: If a major event like a flood or fire forces your family out of the house, having adequate temporary accommodation limits ensures you aren't left stranded.

If you like, I can help you estimate an appropriate sum insured amount based on the size of your household and belongings. Do you want me to walk through a calculation checklist?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

We have young children and a lot of belongings to protect. Which NZ contents insurers should I look at?

AI Overview

When protecting a household full of family belongings with young children around, you should look for New Zealand contents insurers that offer high-tier "Accidental Damage" (Comprehensive) policies rather than basic "Listed Events" cover.

Because children are prone to spilling drinks on electronics, knocking over TVs, or damaging property outside the home, the right insurer needs to feature robust accidental loss/damage and legal liability protections.

The top New Zealand contents insurers to consider for a family include:

1. The Top-Rated Specialists

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group) : Consistently ranks highest for customer satisfaction in independent surveys like Consumer NZ. While known for rural properties, they insure urban family homes across NZ. Their "Household Contents" policy is highly regarded for its straightforward claims process and customer support.

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society) : Alongside FMG, MAS routinely dominates customer satisfaction awards. They offer premium, comprehensive contents coverage with excellent service. Note: You no longer need to be a medical professional to join MAS; it is open to all professionals and their families.

2. The Major Providers (With High-Tier Options)

  • AA Insurance : Highly recommended for families because of their "One Event, One Excess" feature. If a single disaster damages your house, contents, and car, you only pay one excess fee. Their Comprehensive Contents policy includes full accidental damage and legal liability up to $2 million (vital if a child accidentally causes damage to a rental property or a neighbor's home).

  • Tower Insurance : Tower’s Premium tier offers excellent sub-limits for modern families. They offer phone cover limits up to $10,000 (standard policies often cap this very low) and automatically include up to $10,000 for your children's belongings if they eventually move into school boarding or university accommodation.

  • AMI Insurance : Offers a robust Contents Plus policy. It features helpful perks for busy families, such as up to $30,000 for temporary accommodation if your home becomes unlivable, and automatic coverage for your belongings for up to two weeks while you are physically moving between houses.

Direct Policy Comparison for Families

Feature to look for Why it matters for young families Top Insurers to Check
Accidental Damage Covers "oops" moments (e.g., milk spilt on a laptop or a toy thrown through a TV). AA Insurance (Comprehensive), Tower (Premium/Plus)
Legal Liability Covers the cost if you or your children accidentally damage someone else's property. Standard across AMI, State, and AA (usually up to $2M)
New-For-Old Cover Replaces old or destroyed belongings with brand-new equivalents rather than depreciated value. Most top-tier policies from FMG and Tower
One Event Excess Saves money if an emergency impacts your home, contents, and vehicle simultaneously. AA Insurance, Tower

Crucial Tips for Protecting a Lot of Belongings

  1. Don't Guess the "Sum Insured": Families often vastly underestimate how much stuff they have (clothes, toys, kitchenware, furniture). Use a Cordell Sum Sure calculator or an online contents calculator provided on insurer websites to avoid being underinsured.

  2. Watch the "Sub-limits": Standard contents policies limit the maximum payout for specific categories (e.g., a $2,500 limit on any single piece of jewelry or bicycle). If you have expensive strollers, e-bikes, or family heirlooms, you must explicitly list them on the policy to ensure they are fully covered.

  3. NZ-Wide Cover: Make sure the policy covers your items outside the home. High-tier policies protect your pram, nappy bags, and phones even if they are stolen or damaged while you are out at a local park or traveling within NZ.

To help narrow down the best quotes, are you looking to bundle this with house or car insurance, or do you need a standalone renters/contents policy?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026