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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

What contents insurers should a New Zealand renter or homeowner put on a shortlist?

For a New Zealand renter or homeowner, I’d shortlist insurers based on the quality of their contents cover, customer satisfaction, claims handling and the actual premium quoted for your circumstances — rather than choosing solely on price.

As a starting point, Consumer NZ’s February 2026 comparison includes nine providers, while Canstar named Tower its Home & Contents Insurer of the Year for 2026. Those are useful starting signals, not proof that one insurer will be best for every household. Best house and contents insuranceBest Value Home & Contents Insurance Awards

Which insurers should be on your shortlist?

1. MAS — best first check for customer satisfaction

Top satisfaction pick

MAS received Canstar’s 2026 Most Satisfied Customers award for home insurance, achieving the maximum score across its five satisfaction measures. It is a particularly good first quote to investigate if service and claims experience matter to you. Check eligibility and policy terms. Home & Contents Insurance Star Ratings and AwardsMAS wins Canstar customer satisfaction awards for Home and Car Insurance

Website: mas.co.nz

2. Tower Insurance — strong all-round comparison

2026 award winner

Tower was Canstar’s 2026 Home & Contents Insurer of the Year for the third consecutive year. Compare its Standard, Plus and Premium options to see whether the additional cover justifies the price. Home & Contents Insurance Star Ratings and AwardsBest Value Home & Contents Insurance Awards

Website: tower.co.nz

3. AMI — worth checking for value

Canstar gave AMI an Outstanding Value award in 2026 for its Contents Plus policy, alongside awards for its home insurance options. Its published contents benefits include cover for bicycles and e-bikes, temporary accommodation and legal liability, subject to limits and policy terms. Home & Contents Insurance Star Ratings and AwardsContents Insurance | Get a Quick Quote & Buy Online

Website: ami.co.nz

4. AA Insurance — worth comparing for claims

Canstar’s 2026 claims-satisfaction research ranked AA Insurance first among the five brands assessed for home claims. This makes it worth a quote if clear communication and the repair or replacement process are priorities. Home & Contents Insurance Star Ratings and AwardsNZ Home and Contents Insurance Online Quotes

Website: aa.co.nz/insurance

5. State Insurance — another strong value comparison

State received Canstar’s 2026 Outstanding Value recognition for its home insurance products. It is worth including in a price-and-cover comparison, particularly if you want to bundle home and contents insurance. Check the specific contents policy and its exclusions. Home & Contents Insurance Star Ratings and AwardsAll Our Insurance Policy Wordings

Website: state.co.nz

6. FMG — especially worth considering for rural households

FMG has a strong customer-satisfaction record and a rural focus. It is a useful additional option if you own a lifestyle block or rural property, although you should confirm the suitability of its particular contents policy for your situation. Consumer reveals the best and worst insurance providersRecognising FMG's 2025 honours

Website: fmg.co.nz

7. NZI — useful for broader contents cover

NZI offers multiple contents options, including Distinction and Echelon. Its published benefits include replacement cover for many items, and options for contents in storage or transit, making it worth checking if you have valuable possessions or more complex insurance needs. Contents InsuranceBest house and contents insurance

Website: nzi.co.nz

Which should you choose based on your situation?

Your situation Where I’d start
Renting a house or flat MAS, Tower, AMI and AA Insurance
Homeowner wanting both home and contents cover MAS, Tower, AMI, AA and State
Mainly looking for value Compare Tower, AMI and State
Prioritising customer satisfaction MAS
Rural or lifestyle property FMG, plus a standard-market comparison
High-value belongings Compare NZI’s higher-level options with the others

This is a shortlist for obtaining quotes, not a definitive ranking of the cheapest policies. Premiums and eligibility can vary significantly by address, property characteristics and the amount of cover you need. How to get the best house and contents insuranceHome & Contents Insurance Star Ratings and Awards

What to compare before buying

The cheapest policy may leave you exposed to a substantial loss. Compare the same details with every insurer:

  • Replacement value: Will your belongings be replaced with new equivalents, or paid at depreciated present value?
  • Accidental damage: Does the policy cover spills, breakages and accidental loss, or only specified events?
  • Natural hazards: Check the wording for flood, storm and other natural-hazard losses, including applicable exclusions.
  • Valuables: Look for limits on jewellery, watches, bicycles, electronics and individual high-value items.
  • Cover away from home: Check protection for belongings in your car, at work, in storage or while travelling.
  • Excess: Compare both the standard excess and any special excess that may apply to certain claims.
  • Temporary accommodation and liability: Particularly useful if your home becomes uninhabitable or you accidentally damage someone else's property.

Consumer NZ's contents insurance buying guide explains the differences between cover types and what to check. How to get the best house and contents insuranceContents Insurance | Get a Quick Quote & Buy Online

If you rent: You generally need contents insurance for your own possessions, not building insurance for the property itself. Check whether your flatmates' belongings are included or whether each person needs a separate policy. Is it worth getting contents insurance if you rent?How to get the best house and contents insurance

If you own your

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

What contents insurers should a New Zealand renter or homeowner put on a shortlist?

When putting together a shortlist for contents insurance in New Zealand—whether you are renting or own your home—the right provider depends heavily on balancing accidental damage benefits, sub-limits for high-value items (like bikes or electronics), and policy flexibility.

The prominent contents insurers operating in New Zealand that deserve a spot on your shortlist include the following key providers, categorized by their distinct market strengths:

1. The Mainstream & Award-Winning Shortlist

  • AA Insurance
    • Why consider them: Consistently strong customer satisfaction and service ratings. They are a staple for Kiwis wanting reliable, straightforward claims handling and multi-policy discounts (if bundling with car or house insurance).
  • AMI & State Insurance
    • Why consider them: Both brands (under the IAG umbrella) frequently win industry awards for value. They offer comprehensive policies that include great "out-of-the-box" perks—such as temporary accommodation benefits (crucial for renters if a rental becomes unlivable), legal liability cover (up to $2 million), and hidden gradual damage protection for belongings.
  • Tower
    • Why consider them: Known for modern, user-friendly digital tools, straightforward online claims, and competitive pricing. Tower is a great option if you prefer managing everything via an app and want transparent, flexible sum-insured tiers.

2. Specialized or Niche Alternatives

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group)
    • Why consider them: Frequently takes top spots in consumer satisfaction awards (such as the Consumer NZ People’s Choice awards). If you live in a rural area, lifestyle block, or regional town, FMG is exceptionally strong at tailoring policies to unique properties.
  • Cove
    • Why consider them: A modern digital-first insurer gaining traction for renters and contents-only policies. They specialize in fast, entirely online quoting without friction, making them appealing for younger renters who want quick cover for laptops, phones, and casual gear.

What Renters vs. Homeowners Should Compare

When evaluating your shortlist, keep these specific coverage distinctions in mind:

  1. For Renters:
    • Focus intensely on Legal Liability (covering accidental damage you might cause to the landlord’s property, such as a kitchen fire or a major water leak) and Temporary Accommodation (some contents policies will help pay for a place to stay if your rental is damaged and you are forced out).
  2. For Homeowners:
    • Look closely at how your contents policy interacts with your house policy. Bundling them with the same insurer (e.g., AA, AMI, or Tower) often streamlines claims when an event damages both the structure and your belongings.
  3. Check Sub-Limits & Accidental Damage:
    • Standard policies cap payouts for high-value items like jewellery, watches, e-bikes, or high-end cameras. If you own expensive gear, check whether the insurer requires you to "specify" those items individually. Also, ensure you choose a Comprehensive policy rather than a basic "Fire and Theft" policy so you are covered for accidental mishaps (e.g., dropping a TV or spilling liquid on a laptop).

Are you looking for coverage primarily as a renter or a homeowner, and do you have any specific high-value items (like e-bikes or jewellery) that you need to protect?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

What contents insurers should a New Zealand renter or homeowner put on a shortlist?

AI Overview

When creating a shortlist for contents insurance in New Zealand, renters and homeowners should evaluate providers based on policy flexibility, value for money, and customer satisfaction.

The New Zealand general insurance market is dominated by a few key players. However, distinct top performers consistently lead independent rankings like the Consumer NZ Insurance Satisfaction Survey and the Canstar Best Value Home& Contents Insurance Awards.

The Elite Tier (Highest Customer Satisfaction)

If your primary concern is hassle-free claims and excellent customer service, these two mutual insurers should top your list.

  • FMG : Consistently ranked as the #1 provider for contents insurance in New Zealand, securing the Consumer NZ People's Choice award for multiple consecutive years. They are highly praised for clear policy wording and strong customer support.

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society) : Alongside FMG, MAS dominates New Zealand satisfaction scores. While historically focused on medical professionals, they offer highly competitive, comprehensive contents protection to the wider public.

The Value & Tech Giants (Strongest Feature Sets)

For mainstream flexibility, online multi-policy discounts, or tiered cover options, the following insurers are critical to shortlisting.

  • Tower Insurance : Awarded the Canstar Home & Contents Insurer of the Year. Tower relies heavily on detailed address-level risk pricing, meaning it can offer highly optimized premiums depending on your exact location. They offer clear tiered structures (Standard , Plus , and Premium).

  • AA Insurance : Known for their "one event, one excess" policy—meaning if a disaster damages your car, home, and contents altogether, you only pay a single excess fee. They offer distinct Comprehensive and Limited options.

  • AMI Insurance & State Insurance : Both are massive brands under the IAG umbrella. They routinely win 5-Star Outstanding Value ratings from Canstar. They are reliable mainstays featuring high temporary accommodation limits (up to $30,000) if a disaster forces you out of your home.

Key Policy Variations to Compare

Feature Standard Market Inclusion What to Look For
Replacement Type New-for-Old (replacing a destroyed item with a brand new equivalent). Watch out for "Indemnity" policies on budget options, which only pay what the old item was worth.
Single-Item Limits Most policies cap unregistered high-value items (e.g., jewelry or bikes) between $2,000 and $5,000. Look at Tower Premium if you have expensive mobile electronics, as their limits scale up to $10,000.
Hidden Gradual Damage Typically capped at $3,000 per year for internal plumbing leaks. Essential to have if you are a homeowner, but less vital for renters whose landlords cover structural leaks.

Quick Shortlist Advice for Your Situation

  • If you are a Renter: Focus heavily on Legal Liability cover (usually up to $2 million). This protects you if you accidentally cause major damage to the landlord's property (e.g., accidentally starting a kitchen fire).

  • If you are a Homeowner: Look for multi-policy bundling discounts. Combining house, contents, and car insurance under the same brand (like State, AMI, or Tower) can shave hundreds off your total bill.

To help tailor this shortlist, could you share whether you are looking to insure a standalone home or an apartment , and if you own any high-value items (like e-bikes or expensive jewelry) that need special coverage?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

What contents insurers should a New Zealand renter or homeowner put on a shortlist?

When building a shortlist for contents insurance in New Zealand , it helps to balance independent consumer satisfaction ratings, industry awards, and brand reputation. Based on recent Consumer NZ People's Choice awards and Canstar ratings, the standout providers to consider include:

  • FMG (Farmers' Mutual Group) — Consistently top-rated for customer satisfaction in Consumer NZ's annual insurance surveys, frequently earning the People's Choice award for contents insurance. Strongly recommended if you want high customer-service marks.

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society) — Another perennial Consumer NZ People's Choice award winner known for exceptional customer satisfaction and member-focused value, though membership eligibility historically caters to specific professional groups.

  • AA Insurance — Widely recognized for high trust, solid policy flexibility, and strong performance in claims handling and customer support.

  • Tower — Named Canstar's Home & Contents Insurer of the Year, making them a strong contender for digital-forward management, competitive pricing, and multi-policy bundling discounts.

  • State Insurance / AMI — Major nationwide brands offering comprehensive, highly customizable policies (including benefits like temporary accommodation and gradual damage perks) that are easy to bundle with vehicle or house cover.

If you'd like to narrow down this list, tell me:

  • Are you looking to insure as a renter or a homeowner?
  • Do you have any high-value items (like FENZ/jewelry, FINA/e-bikes, or art) that need specialized specification?
Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026