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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 looking for house insurance in Manawatū–Whanganui. Which insurers should I look at?

For house insurance in Manawatū–Whanganui, New Zealand, I’d start by comparing a mix of major national insurers and independent insurance brokers. The best option will depend on your property’s location, construction, age, exposure to flooding or other natural hazards, and the cost of rebuilding it.

Insurers worth comparing

These are good places to start for a standard owner-occupied home. Availability and premiums will depend on the individual property and the insurer’s underwriting criteria.

AMI

A useful first quote to compare for standard home insurance and bundled contents cover.

Website: ami.co.nz

State

Worth comparing alongside AMI for home, contents and vehicle insurance.

Website: state.co.nz

AA Insurance

Another major provider to include in your price and policy comparison.

Website: aainsurance.co.nz

Tower

Worth obtaining a separate quote and checking the natural-hazard provisions and excesses.

Website: tower.co.nz

MAS

Particularly worth investigating if you value its mutual-insurer model and want to compare its full area replacement and agreed-value cover options. House Insurance

Website: mas.co.nz

Vero

Another provider to investigate, including through its distribution partners such as ANZ. Check who underwrites the policy and read the policy wording. Home insurance | Quote and buy online

Website: vero.co.nz

You can also compare ASB (ASB home insurance), which offers home cover underwritten by IAG New Zealand. Home Insurance - Get a quote and apply online

If you’d prefer help from a local broker

A broker can help compare policies from insurers they have access to, which can be especially useful for older homes, lifestyle blocks, or properties with unusual risks.

  • Thrive — an insurance broker in Feilding.
  • Gallagher Insurance Palmerston North — a broker in Palmerston North.
  • Wanganui Insurance Brokers — an insurance broker in Whanganui.

Ask each broker which insurers they can quote for your particular property, as their insurer panels may differ.

What matters most in Manawatū–Whanganui?

Don't choose on premium alone. I’d pay particular attention to these four things:

  • Flooding and natural hazards: Check the property's specific flood exposure and whether any exclusions, special excesses or restrictions apply. This is especially important for properties near rivers or in low-lying areas.
  • Rebuild cover: Check whether the policy uses a fixed sum insured or offers a form of replacement or area-replacement cover.
  • Excesses: Compare standard excesses and any separate excesses for earthquakes, storms, flooding or other natural hazards.
  • Additional structures: Check cover limits for sheds, garages, retaining walls, fences and other outbuildings, particularly if you own a rural or lifestyle property.

Consumer NZ's house and contents insurance guide has an independent comparison of policies and explains what to check before buying. How to get the best house and contents insuranceICNZ Consumer Guide 2025

My recommendation

Start with three or four direct quotes from AMI, State, AA Insurance and Tower, then compare MAS or ask a broker for alternatives. Use the same property details and excess assumptions wherever possible so you can make a fair comparison.

One question that would help me narrow this down: Is the property in a town, or is it a rural/lifestyle property? That can make a meaningful difference to which insurers are worth approaching first.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

I'm looking for house insurance in Manawatū–Whanganui. Which insurers should I look at?

When looking for house insurance in the Manawatū–Whanganui region, you can choose from major nationwide insurers that operate across New Zealand. Because home insurance options largely depend on whether you prefer a sum insured policy (fixed dollar limit) or an area replacement policy (covers the actual cost to rebuild), several key providers are worth considering:

1. Major Insurers with Sum Insured Policies

Most mainstream providers in New Zealand use a sum insured model, meaning you select a fixed maximum amount to cover the rebuild cost of your home.

  • AA Insurance: Consistently ranked high for customer trust, they offer comprehensive policies covering sudden accidental damage, natural hazards (working alongside the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake), temporary accommodation, and hidden water damage.
  • Tower: Known for flexible online quoting and tiered cover levels (Standard, Plus, and Premium). They use risk-based pricing and provide helpful online calculators to estimate your home's rebuild cost.
  • AMI & State: Both are major brands under the IAG umbrella. They offer extensive coverage options, repair networks (such as AMI HomeHub), and benefits like temporary accommodation and gradual damage cover.
  • Initio: Popular for providing fast, flexible, and transparent online quotes—often useful for standard properties as well as slightly more unique or complex situations.

2. Area Replacement Provider

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society): Distinct in the market for offering an area replacement policy rather than a fixed sum insured. This type of policy covers the actual cost to rebuild your home even if construction costs or material prices spike significantly. (Note: While initially set up for specific professional groups, membership criteria have broadened over time).

3. Specialist & Rural Providers

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group): If your property in Manawatū–Whanganui is semi-rural, lifestyle block-based, or on a larger plot of land, FMG specializes in rural and provincial risks, tailoring policies to cover not just the house, but surrounding structures, outbuildings, and fencing.

Tips for Choosing a Policy in Manawatū–Whanganui:

  • Natural Hazards & Location Risk: Be sure to input your exact address when getting quotes. Insurers factor in local geographic data (such as proximity to rivers or flood-prone areas common to parts of the Manawatū and Whanganui river catchments) when determining your premiums and excesses.
  • Calculate Your Rebuild Cost Accurately: Underinsurance is a major risk in New Zealand. Use online cord/sum-insured calculators provided by insurers (or consult an independent registered property valuer) to ensure your sum insured reflects current local construction and labor inflation rates.
  • Check the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) Levy: All residential house insurance policies in NZ automatically include the NHC levy (formerly EQC), which contributes towards natural disaster cover for earthquakes, landslips, storms, and floods.
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

I'm looking for house insurance in Manawatū–Whanganui. Which insurers should I look at?

AI Overview

When looking for house insurance in the Manawatū–Whanganui region, you have access to New Zealand's major nationwide consumer insurance brands, specialized mutual associations, and local regional brokerages. Because insurers in New Zealand increasingly price risk dynamically at an individual address level due to localized flooding and climate risks, obtaining quotes from multiple providers is strongly recommended.

The primary insurers and coverage options to look at include:

Major Direct Insurers

These companies allow you to generate quotes and manage policies directly online or over the phone:

  • Tower Insurance : A prominent New Zealand-owned insurer offering three tiers of cover (Premium, Plus, and Standard). They are recognized for features like eco-friendly rebuild incentives and regional risk-based pricing structures.

  • AA Insurance : Highly rated for customer satisfaction, they offer replacement cover that can exceed your sum insured for non-natural events, alongside benefits like hidden water damage protection up to $5,000.

  • AMI Insurance and State Insurance : Both are widely utilized brands owned by IAG, the largest general insurance group in New Zealand. They offer full standard comprehensive structural policies, multi-policy bundling discounts, and online claim portals.

Mutual Associations & Specialized Insurers

These providers frequently top customer satisfaction surveys and offer unique policy structures:

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group) : A standout choice if your property is a lifestyle block, rural home, or farm within the Manawatū-Whanganui region. They routinely win the Consumer NZ People's Choice Award and specifically design policies around rural residential risks.

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society) : A mutual company that has expanded its membership criteria beyond medical professionals to include a broader range of professionals. They are known for providing comprehensive "Full Area Replacement" cover options rather than being strictly limited to a fixed sum insured.

  • Initio Insurance : A digital-first challenger brand backed by IAG that provides instant online quotes, well-suited for fast-turnaround rental or residential property coverage.

Local Insurance Brokers

If your property has unique geographic factors (such as being near the Whanganui River flood zones or hilly terrains prone to slips), using a broker can help navigate complex underwriting:

  • Wanganui Insurance Brokers : Locally operated in Whanganui, specializing in domestic, commercial, and rural property advice.

  • Insure Manawatu : Based in Palmerston North, providing access to major New Zealand and international policy underwriters through the Insurance Advisernet network.

  • Celtic Insurance Brokers : A Palmerston North-based brokerage focused on personal and investment property insurance packages.

To help narrow down the best choices, what type of property are you insuring (e.g., a standard suburban home, a lifestyle block, or a rental)? Also, let me know if the home is located in an area with a history of flooding or land slips.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

I'm looking for house insurance in Manawatū–Whanganui. Which insurers should I look at?

When looking for house insurance in New Zealand (including regions like Manawatū–Whanganui), several mainstream and specialized insurers stand out for their policy types, customer satisfaction, and coverage options.

The top insurers to look at depend on whether you prefer an area-replacement policy or a sum-insured policy: [MoneyHub NZ]

  • MAS (Medical Assurance Society): Highly regarded by independent analyses like MoneyHub for offering area-replacement coverage. This covers the actual cost to rebuild your home regardless of construction inflation or unexpected spikes in building costs (note: eligibility criteria may apply for membership). [MoneyHub NZ]

  • Tower: Frequently highlighted for competitive pricing and market-leading sum-insured options, with flexible online policy management and customizable excesses. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • Initio: Noted as a strong digital-first option providing competitive sum-insured policies, making it quick and straightforward to get a quote and manage cover online. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group): A popular choice—particularly if your property in Manawatū–Whanganui is rural, lifestyle-block, or provincial—frequently winning customer satisfaction accolades like the Consumer NZ People's Choice award for residential and rural cover.

  • AMI & State (IAG brands): Two of New Zealand's largest and most established insurers. They offer robust, standard sum-insured policies with broad protection, extensive local repair networks, and easy online claim-tracking.

When comparing policies, keep in mind that all residential house insurance in NZ includes automatic NHCover (formerly EQC) for natural disaster damage up to $300,000 plus GST, but private policies differ significantly on how they calculate your primary structure rebuild limits.

To help narrow down which provider fits best, could you tell me:

  • Is the property urban (e.g., Palmerston North, Whanganui town) or rural/lifestyle block?
  • Do you prefer a sum insured policy or an area replacement policy?
Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026