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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'm not sure whether my belongings are worth insuring. How should I decide in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, the key question is usually not “Are my belongings valuable?” but “Could I afford to replace them if they were all lost at once?” Contents insurance is mainly about protecting against a large financial shock (for example, fire, theft, flood, or earthquake-related loss), rather than covering every small item. Consumer NZ

A practical way to decide:

1. Add up the cost of replacing your everyday life

Walk through your home and estimate what it would cost to buy replacements, including things people often forget:

  • Clothes, shoes, bedding and towels
  • Furniture
  • Kitchen items, cookware and appliances
  • Electronics (phones, laptops, TVs, gaming devices)
  • Tools, bikes, sports gear and hobby equipment
  • Books, decorations and personal items
  • Items in the garage, shed, storage, or your car (if your policy covers them)

Many people underestimate the total because they think only about expensive items, but lots of ordinary items add up. MAS

2. Consider whether you could absorb a major loss

Ask yourself:

  • If a fire destroyed everything I own, could I replace it from savings?
  • Would I need to borrow money or rely on family?
  • Would losing a laptop, phone, tools, or work equipment affect my income?
  • Am I renting and would replacing my belongings be a significant setback?

If replacing your possessions would cause serious financial strain, insurance may be more valuable.

3. Look at your high-value items separately

Some policies have limits on certain categories, such as jewellery, watches, artwork, bicycles, or cameras. If you own items above those limits, you may need to list them separately as “specified items.” ASB Bank

4. Compare the premium with the risk you’re transferring

Think about:

  • Annual premium cost
  • Excess (the amount you pay before insurance contributes)
  • What events are covered
  • Whether items are replaced new or paid at their current value

A cheaper policy may not provide the protection you expect if it has lower limits or narrower cover. Consumer NZ

5. Consider your living situation

Contents insurance can make sense even if you rent. A renter may not own the building, but replacing all their belongings after a burglary, fire, or disaster can still be expensive. Consumer NZ

A simple rule of thumb

You may lean toward getting contents insurance if:

  • Your belongings would cost more than you could comfortably replace
  • You have expensive electronics or specialist equipment
  • You would struggle after a major loss
  • You want protection from low-probability, high-cost events

You may lean toward self-insuring if:

  • You own relatively few low-value items
  • You have enough savings to replace everything without hardship
  • You are comfortable accepting the risk

If you decide to get cover, make an inventory (photos plus a rough list) and choose a realistic contents “sum insured” amount. Insurers and consumer organisations recommend reviewing that amount regularly as your belongings and replacement costs change. NZI Site

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

I'm not sure whether my belongings are worth insuring. How should I decide in New Zealand?

Deciding whether to insure your belongings (contents insurance) comes down to a simple financial test: Could you comfortably afford to replace everything you own tomorrow out of your own pocket, or would doing so put you into severe financial distress?

While contents insurance is entirely optional in New Zealand (unlike some types of loans or vehicle requirements), it serves as a crucial safety net. Here is how to work out whether your belongings are worth covering:

Step 1: Do the "Room-by-Room" Reality Check

Most people drastically underestimate what their belongings are actually worth because they think of individual items rather than the cumulative total.

  • Walk through your home and mentally tally up everything: clothing, shoes, kitchenware, bedding, tech (phones, laptops, TVs), furniture, and hobby gear.
  • Calculate replacement value, not second-hand value. Insurance generally pays out what it costs to buy things brand new today (new-for-old), not what your items would fetch at a garage sale.
  • Example: A wardrobe of everyday clothes, a mattress, a TV, a couch, and a laptop easily add up to $15,000 to $20,000+ to replace all at once. Ask yourself if writing a check for that amount right now would wipe out your savings.

Step 2: Consider Your Living Situation

  • If you rent or flat: Your landlord's insurance covers only the physical building structure—it covers nothing of yours. If a kitchen fire, burst pipe, or burglary happens, your possessions have zero protection without a policy of your own.
  • Liability protection: Many New Zealand contents policies also include legal liability cover. This is a hidden benefit that protects you if you accidentally cause damage to someone else's property—such as accidentally overflowing a bath in a rental or spilling liquid on a landlord's fittings, which you could be legally required to pay for.

Step 3: Weigh Up the Risks in New Zealand

  • The unexpected: New Zealand's climate and geography mean events like storms, floods, and earthquakes can happen anywhere.
  • Theft: Property crime and burglaries do occur across the country, and replacing a home's contents independently after a break-in can be devastating.

Step 4: Look at the Cost vs. Peace of Mind

For many people with modest belongings, basic contents insurance can be surprisingly affordable (though premiums have risen across the board). You can adjust factors to make it fit your budget:

  • Raise your excess: Choosing a higher voluntary excess (the amount you pay upfront when you make a claim) lowers your regular monthly or annual premium.
  • Tailor the cover: If you only care about major disasters or a total wipeout (like a fire or major theft), a standard policy protects you without needing expensive add-ons.

Summary Checklist to Decide:

  1. Total up the replacement cost of your clothes, tech, and furniture. Is it a number that would stress you out to lose?
  2. Check if you could self-insure (i.e., do you have an emergency fund specifically sitting there that could replace your life's belongings tomorrow?)
  3. Factor in liability if you rent.

If the total replacement cost would cause you financial hardship, a basic contents policy is usually well worth the peace of mind.

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

I'm not sure whether my belongings are worth insuring. How should I decide in New Zealand?

AI Overview

To decide if your belongings are worth insuring in New Zealand, you need to calculate the total replacement cost of your items and weigh that against your ability to pay out-of-pocket if you lost everything in a disaster like a fire, flood, or earthquake.

For most people, contents insurance is worth it because the cost to replace an entire home’s worth of everyday items is much higher than they expect.

1. Calculate Your "Total Loss" Value

People often underestimate the value of their belongings because they only think of big-ticket items like laptops or TVs. To get an accurate picture, walk through your home and calculate what it would cost to replace everything brand new:

  • The Basics: Clothes, shoes, bedding, towels, and curtains.

  • Kitchenware: Pots, pans, plates, cutlery, and small appliances (microwaves, blenders).

  • Furniture: Beds, couches, dining tables, and wardrobes.

  • Electronics: Phones, computers, TVs, and gaming consoles.

2. Use the "Financial Shock" Test

Once you have a rough estimate of that total number, ask yourself: "If my house burned down tomorrow, could I afford to buy all of this back using my current savings?"

  • If yes: You might choose to self-insure (meaning you take the risk yourself and pay out of pocket if something happens).

  • If no: You should strongly consider contents insurance. A total loss without insurance can be financially devastating.

3. Understand "Replacement" vs. "Indemnity" Value

When looking at policies in New Zealand, insurers generally offer two types of cover. This affects whether insurance is "worth it" for older items:

Policy Type What it Covers Best For
Replacement Cover Pays for a brand-new equivalent item, regardless of how old or worn your current item is. Most households, as it covers the actual cost of buying new items after a disaster.
Indemnity Cover Pays the current market value of the item (what it’s worth secondhand today, accounting for wear and tear). People with older furniture or belongings who just want cheap, basic protection.

4. Check for Legal or Tenancy Requirements

  • If you are renting: Your landlord's insurance only covers the physical building, not your belongings. Furthermore, under NZ law, if you accidentally damage the rental property (e.g., causing a kitchen fire), you could be held liable for the landlord's insurance excess. Many tenant contents policies include personal liability cover to protect you from this.

  • If you own a home: While home (building) insurance is usually required by mortgage lenders, contents insurance is optional. However, bundled policies often come with a multi-policy discount.

5. Consider High-Value Item Limits

If you are only hesitant because you think your items are standard, note that policies have strict limits on specific categories (like jewelry, cameras, or bicycles). If you have a single item worth more than $1,000 to $3,000, you usually have to specify it on the policy for it to be fully covered.

To help you figure out the most cost-effective approach, could you tell me:

  • Do you rent or own your home?

  • Do you have any high-value individual items (like an expensive engagement ring or a high-end e-bike)?

  • Are you looking for total peace of mind or just protection against major disasters?

I can help you look at what types of policies fit your situation best.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

I'm not sure whether my belongings are worth insuring. How should I decide in New Zealand?

Deciding whether to insure your personal belongings comes down to a simple financial test: Could you comfortably replace everything you own out of pocket tomorrow without derailing your life?

Most New Zealanders drastically underestimate what their belongings are actually worth. While a single t-shirt or blender seems cheap, replacing an entire wardrobe, furniture, kitchen appliances, electronics, and bedding all at once easily adds up to $70,000 to $100,000+ for an average household.

A step-by-step framework can help you decide how to approach contents insurance in New Zealand:

  1. Do a quick mental (or literal) room-by-room tally
    Open the Contents Insurance Calculator NZ or walk through your home and add up the replacement cost of your major items (laptops, phones, TV, mattress, couch, clothes, and appliances). You might be surprised to find that even a minimalist flat or small apartment holds $20,000 to $30,000 worth of gear.
  2. Evaluate the "Replacement Cost vs. Savings" test
    Ask yourself what would happen if a fire, severe storm, or burglary destroyed everything. If replacing all your items would force you into serious debt or wipe out your emergency savings, insurance is doing its job as a safety net. If you have substantial cash reserves and your total worldly possessions consist of a mattress and a second-hand laptop, self-insuring might mathematically make sense.
  3. Factor in extra hidden benefits
    In New Zealand, standard contents insurance policies often include more than just your physical possessions. Check the policy details on provider sites like Consumer NZ or major insurers like State Insurance. Many policies cover:
  • Liability: If you accidentally cause a fire that damages your rental property or a neighbour's home.
  • Temporary accommodation: If your home becomes unliveable due to a natural disaster or fire, helping pay for a place to stay.
  • Portable cover: Theft or accidental loss of items you take outside the house (like phones or bikes).
  1. Weigh the cost of premiums
    Contents insurance in NZ typically ranges from roughly $450 to $850+ a year depending on your location, security, and the total sum insured. If the yearly cost feels tight, you can lower your premium by choosing a higher excess (the amount you pay out-of-pocket when making a claim).

To help narrow down whether it makes financial sense for you right now, tell me:

  • Are you renting or do you own your home?
  • Do you have an approximate estimate of how much it would cost to replace your clothes, tech, and furniture combined?
Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026