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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

Building costs have gone up since we last insured our house. Should we increase our sum insured?

Yes, it would be wise to review your sum insured if building costs have increased since you last set it — and you may need to increase it. In New Zealand, your home sum insured is generally meant to reflect the estimated cost to rebuild your home (not its market value or the land value), and you are responsible for making sure it remains adequate. ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand

A few things to check:

  • Compare your current sum insured with today’s rebuild estimate. Rising labour, materials, demolition, consent, and professional costs can mean your old figure is no longer enough. NZI Site
  • Consider changes you’ve made to the property, such as renovations, extensions, new decks, solar panels, retaining walls, pools, or upgraded finishes. These may not be captured by an automatic annual adjustment from your insurer. ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand
  • Don’t use the house’s market value as the guide. A rebuild sum insured is about replacing the structure and related costs, not what the property could sell for. Tower Insurance NZ
  • Use your insurer’s calculator or get a professional estimate if you’re unsure. For larger, unusual, high-value, or architecturally designed homes, a registered valuer or quantity surveyor may give a more accurate rebuild estimate. BNZ

A practical approach:

  1. Check your latest policy schedule and current sum insured.
  2. Run a current rebuild estimate using your insurer’s recommended tool.
  3. Increase the sum insured if the estimate is higher or if your home has changed.
  4. Review it again at each renewal and after major renovations. ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand

If you tell me when you last set the sum insured, the current amount, approximate house size, and whether you’ve renovated, I can help you think through whether it is likely to be out of date.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

Building costs have gone up since we last insured our house. Should we increase our sum insured?

Yes, if building costs have risen since you last set your policy, you should seriously consider increasing your sum insured.

Most home insurance policies in New Zealand operate on a Sum Insured basis. This means your insurer will only pay up to the specific maximum dollar amount listed on your policy if your home is destroyed. If your sum insured is lower than the actual cost to rebuild, you will have to cover the financial shortfall out of your own pocket.

Why Building Costs Keep Rising

Residential construction costs in New Zealand have faced persistent upward pressure due to increases in the price of building materials, labour shortages, and regulatory or compliance fees. According to the Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI), building costs continue to trend upward, meaning a house that cost a certain amount to rebuild a few years ago will almost certainly cost significantly more today.

Key Factors to Keep in Mind

  • Rebuild Cost vs. Market Value: Your sum insured should reflect what it costs to clear the site, buy materials, pay builders, and secure council consents today. Do not use your property's market value or council CV/RV, as those include land value (which doesn't burn down or need rebuilding).
  • Hidden Costs Included: A proper sum insured calculation must factor in demolition, debris removal, scaffolding, architectural or engineering fees, and Goods and Services Tax (GST).
  • Recent Renovations: If you have added a deck, upgraded a kitchen, or extended your floor area since your last policy review, your existing sum insured will automatically be too low.

Recommended Action Plan

  1. Calculate your current rebuild estimate: Use an independent online tool like the Cordell Sum Sure calculator (available via major New Zealand insurers like AMI, Vero, and AMP) by entering your property address and checking its physical specs. Alternatively, for high-value, complex, or architecturally unique homes, engage a registered quantity surveyor or property valuer.
  2. Check for "SumExtra" protections: Many New Zealand insurers offer an extra buffer or safety net policy add-on (such as Vero's or AMP's SumExtra) if you use an approved calculator like Cordell to accurately set your baseline figure.
  3. Contact your insurer before renewal: Review your policy schedule ahead of your annual renewal date, update your figure to match current construction realities, and ensure you are not left underinsured when disaster strikes.

When was the last time you reviewed or updated your home's sum insured figure?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

Building costs have gone up since we last insured our house. Should we increase our sum insured?

AI Overview

Yes, you should review and most likely increase your sum insured. In New Zealand, almost all home insurance policies operate on a "sum insured" basis, meaning the insurer will only pay up to the specific dollar cap you agreed upon if your home is destroyed.

Because residential rebuild costs in New Zealand have surged dramatically over recent years (surging roughly 44% between 2020 and 2026), a sum insured set even a few years ago will leave you severely underinsured today. If your cap is too low, you will have to pay the shortfall out of your own pocket to finish rebuilding.

How to Calculate Your New Sum Insured

Do not base your figure on your home’s market value , purchase price, or council rateable value (RV)—none of these reflect actual building costs. Instead, your new figure needs to cover the cost of completely starting over at today's rates.

  • Use an Online Calculator: Most major Kiwi insurers provide access to the independent Cordell Sum Sure Calculator or Cotality Sum Sure. These tools use council data and current localized material and labor rates to generate a rebuild estimate.

  • Hire a Professional: If your home is architecturally unique, built on a steep slope, has premium finishes, or a total rebuild value estimated over $2.5 million, you should hire a registered valuer or quantity surveyor for an exact insurance valuation.

What Your Figure Must Include

When finalizing your amount, ensure it accounts for:

  • The Structure: Current New Zealand building costs average roughly $4,000 per m² for standard modern homes, but can quickly range from $4,800 to over $6,200 per m² depending on design complexity and site requirements.

  • Site and Demolition Fees: You must include the cost of clearing the site, safe debris removal, and demolition, which can add tens of thousands of dollars before construction even begins.

  • Compliance & Professional Fees: Factor in architect fees, structural engineer costs, and local council building consents.

  • Other Special Features: Remember to add the value of driveways, fencing, retaining walls, decks, or swimming pools.

  • GST & Inflation Buffers: Ensure the total figure includes GST. It is also wise to add a 10% to 15% inflation buffer to protect against material cost spikes during the months it takes to clear and rebuild a home.

Note: Some insurers automatically adjust your sum insured for inflation at your annual renewal, but these are broad adjustments and rarely account for custom home renovations or precise local construction market spikes. Always double-check their math.

To help narrow down the best approach, could you share:

  • Roughly when you last updated the sum insured?

  • If you have done any renovations or additions recently?

  • Whether your home has any complex site features (like a steep slope or large retaining walls)?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

Building costs have gone up since we last insured our house. Should we increase our sum insured?

Yes, you should strongly consider increasing your sum insured.

If building costs, materials, and labor rates have risen since your last policy update, your current sum insured may no longer cover the total cost to completely rebuild your home from scratch in a worst-case scenario. Underinsurance is a major risk in New Zealand, meaning if your limit is too low, you would have to pay any rebuilding shortfall out of your own pocket.

Why Rebuild Costs Matter More Than Ever

  • Inflation and Supply Chain: The actual cost to rebuild a home (incorporating materials, compliance, council consents, and trade labor) often rises faster than general consumer inflation.

  • The "Sum Insured" Cap: Most New Zealand home policies operate on a "sum insured" basis—meaning the absolute maximum your insurer will pay out is the figure stated on your policy.

  • Natural Hazards Cover (Toka Tū Ake): While the government-backed Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (formerly EQC) provides a first-loss natural disaster cap (up to $300,000 plus GST), any costs beyond that fallback strictly onto your private insurance sum insured—and anything past that is your responsibility. [Smiths Insurance and KiwiSaver]

Recommended Steps to Take

  1. Use a Rebuild Calculator: Most major NZ banks and insurers provide access to standardized cost calculators (such as the Cordell Sum Sure / Cotality calculator). You can input your property's specific size, materials, and features to get a modern estimate. For instance, you can look at tools provided via Westpac Home Rebuild Calculator or AMP Home Insurance Calculator.
  2. Account for All Costs: Ensure your calculation includes demolition, debris removal, scaffolding, architectural and engineering fees, and council consent costs, not just the physical framing and roof.
  3. Review Annually: Revisit your policy details every year at renewal time to keep pace with inflation. [AMP New Zealand]
  4. Consult Professionals: If your property is architecturally unique, high-value (exceeding standard calculator thresholds like $2.5 million), or a complex heritage home, consider getting an independent professional registered valuer or quantity surveyor to assess the rebuild cost. [AMP New Zealand]

If you'd like, let me know:

  • Roughly when you last updated your sum insured
  • The approximate floor area or construction type of your home

I can help give you a better idea of how local building inflation impacts your specific situation.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026