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

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

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.

ChatGPT · New Zealand

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

If you live in Taranaki, New Zealand, I’d get at least 4–5 contents insurance quotes rather than choosing purely on price. The best policy is one that covers your belongings adequately, has a manageable excess, and provides clear protection for events such as storms, flooding and accidental damage.

I’d start with established New Zealand insurers and compare their cover carefully, especially if you live in a coastal area, a flood-prone location, or somewhere exposed to strong winds.

Which insurers to get quotes from

  1. AA Insurance

A good first quote to get. You can request contents-only cover online and compare it with other providers.

Get a quote from AA Insurance. NZ Home and Contents Insurance Online Quotes

  1. AMI

Worth comparing for its accidental damage cover, temporary accommodation benefits and cover for belongings away from home, subject to policy limits.

Get a quote from AMI. Contents Insurance | Get a Quick Quote & Buy Online

  1. State Insurance

A useful comparison for comprehensive contents cover, including accidental damage, hidden gradual damage and temporary accommodation benefits, with limits and exclusions applying.

Get a quote from State. Contents Insurance | Compare, Quote & Buy Online

  1. Tower Insurance

Add Tower to your shortlist to compare its available contents policies, premiums, excesses and natural-disaster terms.

Visit Tower Insurance.

  1. Vero

Particularly worth considering if you want to compare different levels of cover. Vero offers a broker-based service and different contents options, including more comprehensive replacement cover and more limited event-based cover.

Explore Vero contents insurance. Get the right protection for your contents

  1. MAS

Another option for replacement-value contents cover, including weather-related damage and theft, subject to policy conditions and eligibility.

Explore MAS contents insurance. MAS Contents Insurance

What matters most in Taranaki

When comparing quotes, I would pay particular attention to these five things:

  • Storm, flood and natural-hazard cover: Check exactly what is covered, including surface flooding, stormwater entering the home and damage associated with natural hazards. Don't assume every type of flooding is covered.
  • Replacement value: Ideally, you want to replace eligible belongings with new equivalent items rather than receive only their depreciated value.
  • Accidental damage: Check whether spills, broken TVs, damaged laptops and other everyday accidents are included or require an upgraded policy.
  • High-value belongings: Jewellery, bicycles, tools, musical instruments and portable electronics can have individual claim limits.
  • Excess and total contents limit: Make sure you could afford the excess and that your sum insured would cover the cost of replacing everything you own.

How I would narrow it down

Get quotes from AA Insurance, AMI, State and Tower first, then add Vero or MAS for comparison. I wouldn't assume one company is cheapest in Taranaki without quotes based on your actual address and circumstances.

One question that would help me narrow the list further: Are you renting, or do you own your home?

That can change which policy options are most relevant and whether it is worth comparing contents-only cover with a combined home-and-contents policy.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

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

When looking for contents insurance in New Zealand, it is recommended to get quotes from a mix of major national insurers and specialized providers to compare pricing, policy definitions (such as sum insured vs. indemnity value), and standard benefits (like temporary accommodation or portable item cover).

The primary companies operating across New Zealand that you should consider getting quotes from include:

Major Nationwide Insurers

  • AA Insurance: Frequently ranks well for customer satisfaction and offers easy online bundling discounts if you also hold car or house insurance.
  • AMI: One of the country's most widely used insurers with extensive branch networks and flexible contents options.
  • State: A well-established brand providing comprehensive and restricted contents policies with various excess levels.
  • Tower: Known for user-friendly digital tools, competitive pricing, and frequently winning industry awards for home and contents.
  • AMP: Offers robust standard benefits alongside customizable optional extras for things like accidental or gradual damage.

Rural & Regional Specialists

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group): If you live on a lifestyle block, rural residential property, or a semi-rural area in Taranaki, FMG is well-regarded for understanding rural-specific risks and often scores strongly in customer service.

Other Providers to Check

  • Trade Me Insurance: Often provides competitive online-focused quotes backed by major underwriting networks.
  • Initio: Good for fast, transparent online quotes, particularly helpful if you want a straightforward digital experience.

Tips for Comparing Your Quotes:

  1. Sum Insured Accuracy: Ensure you use an online contents calculator (many insurers provide these) so you don’t accidentally under-insure your belongings.
  2. New-for-Old vs. Indemnity: Check whether the policy replaces your items at current new retail value ("new-for-old") or deducts value for wear and tear ("indemnity"). Most quality policies are new-for-old, but it is always worth confirming.
  3. Specified Items: If you have high-value items like specific jewelry, artwork, or high-end electronics that exceed standard single-item limits, make sure to declare them separately.
  4. Discounts: Check if your provider offers multi-policy discounts if you bundle your contents insurance with car or house coverage.
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

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

AI Overview

For contents insurance in Taranaki, you should look at a mix of direct online insurers and top-rated mutual providers, or consider using a local Taranaki insurance broker. Because major insurers in New Zealand use address-level risk-based pricing , it is highly recommended to gather multiple quotes using your exact Taranaki address to see which company gives you the best rate.

Here are the top companies and methods you should use to get quotes:

1. Direct Online Insurers (Highest Value Awards)

These companies let you get a quote online in a few minutes and are currently rated highly for value and feature sets by Canstar NZ:

  • Tower Insurance: Winner of the 2024–2026 Home & Contents Insurer of the Year award. They specialize heavily in address-specific pricing which can often result in lower premiums depending on your exact location. You can quote directly on Tower Insurance. Compare House Insurance NZ - Quote & Buy Online | TowerBest Value Home & Contents Insurance Awards | Canstar

  • AMI Insurance: Won 5-star value ratings for its "Plus" contents policies. They offer generous benefits like $30,000 for temporary accommodation if an event leaves your home unlivable. Quote at AMI Insurance.

  • State Insurance: Consistently rated well for its straightforward, online-managed "Comprehensive" contents policies. Quote at State Insurance.

  • AA Insurance: Highly popular with excellent customer service rankings and options for both comprehensive and limited contents cover.

2. Top-Rated Mutual Insurers (Highest Customer Satisfaction)

If you value customer satisfaction and easy claims processing over just the cheapest price, Consumer NZ's surveys consistently rank these two mutuals at the very top:

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group): FMG is a standout performer, ranking highest for contents insurance satisfaction (78%) in Consumer NZ's satisfaction surveys. Despite the "Farmers" name, they insure urban and lifestyle properties across Taranaki. Quote via FMG.

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society): Another top-tier mutual provider that regularly wins the "People's Choice" award for contents insurance. Historically for professionals, MAS is now open to the wider public.

3. Local Taranaki Brokers

If you have high-value items (like unique jewellery, art, or specialized tools) or just want someone else to find the best policy for you, contact a local Taranaki insurance broker who can pull quotes from commercial-only providers like Vero or NZI:

  • ** The Advisers For Insurance** (New Plymouth)

  • McDonald Everest Insurance Brokers (New Plymouth)

  • Dunlop Insurance and Investments (Hāwera)

  • Greenlight Insurance Brokers (Taranaki-wide) Insurance Brokers New Plymouth | Greenlight Insurance Brokers


💡 Quick Tips for Taranaki Contents Quotes:

  • Check the policy "Limits": Standard contents policies limit how much they pay out for single items like bicycles, laptops, or jewellery (often capped at $2,000–$3,000 per item). If you have an expensive e-bike or engagement ring, you must specify it on the policy.

  • Bundle to save: If you also have car or house insurance, getting your quotes from the company you already use will usually trigger a multi-policy discount of 10% to 15%.

To help narrow this down, could you tell me if you are renting, flatting, or owning your home, and whether you have any high-value items (like e-bikes or expensive jewellery) that need special coverage?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

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

When shopping for contents insurance in New Zealand , it is wise to get quotes from a mix of direct insurers, customer-satisfaction leaders, and major brands to compare both pricing and policy definitions (such as accidental vs. specified damage and excess levels).

The primary providers you should consider getting quotes from include:

  • Top Customer Satisfaction & People's Choice Winners:

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society): Consistently top-ranked in Consumer NZ's annual insurance satisfaction survey (though membership eligibility criteria historically applied, they are a standout if eligible).

  • FMG (Farmers' Mutual Group): Highly rated for customer satisfaction and a multi-year winner of Consumer NZ's People's Choice Award, particularly strong for regional and rural/lifestyle block contexts.

  • Major National Brands & Direct Insurers:

  • AA Insurance: Frequently wins general insurance trust awards and offers comprehensive or limited contents options.

  • Tower Insurance: Noted for digital policy management and recognized in industry awards like Canstar's Home & Contents Insurer of the Year.

  • AMI and State: Part of the IAG group (New Zealand's largest general insurer) and widely quoted across the country.

  • Bank-associated or alternative providers: Brands like ASB, ANZ, BNZ, or Trade Me Insurance (which underwrite through major networks like IAG or Vero).

If you'd like, let me know:

  • Whether you are a homeowner or renting
  • If you have any high-value items (like jewelry, e-bikes, or specific tech) that need extra coverage

I can give you more tailored tips on what policy inclusions to look out for.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026