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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

Which NZ contents insurers should I look at?

If you're looking for contents insurance in New Zealand, I'd compare a mix of established insurers and online-first options rather than choosing purely on price. The best fit depends on how much your belongings are worth, whether you rent or own, and how much excess you're comfortable paying if you make a claim.

NZ contents insurers worth comparing

These are good places to start your shortlist:

Cove

Worth checking if you want a straightforward online policy, especially as a renter. Contents insurance can be purchased separately.

Get a quote: Cove

AMI

A mainstream option to compare for everyday household belongings, accidental damage and personal items away from home.

Get a quote: AMI

AA Insurance

A good comparison candidate if you want an established insurer and a choice of contents cover options.

Get a quote: AA Insurance

State

Another mainstream option. Compare its premium and policy excess against AMI and AA rather than assuming the cover is identical.

Get a quote: State

Tower

Worth including if you want to compare different levels of cover and online policy management.

Get a quote: Tower

Trade Me Insurance

Include it in your price comparison. Its insurance is underwritten by Tower, so check how its policy terms compare with Tower's own offering.

Get a quote: Trade Me Insurance

MAS

Worth a look if customer service matters to you. MAS has received Consumer NZ's People's Choice recognition for insurance customer satisfaction. Check its current eligibility requirements.

Get a quote: MAS

Provider details and comparisons: Best house and contents insuranceCompare Contents Insurance Quotes NZ 2026Consumer reveals the best and worst insurance providers.

What to compare before choosing

  • Replacement value vs current value: Will the insurer replace eligible belongings with new equivalents, or pay their depreciated value?
  • Accidental damage: Is spilling something on a laptop, or accidentally breaking a TV, covered?
  • Items outside your home: Check cover for phones, laptops, bikes and belongings stolen from your car or taken overseas.
  • Special limits: Jewellery, watches, bicycles and high-value electronics may have individual limits.
  • Excess and exclusions: A cheaper premium can come with a higher excess or narrower cover.
  • Natural disasters: Check the policy wording for cover of contents damaged by earthquakes, floods and other natural hazards.

Consumer NZ has a useful house and contents insurance comparison, including price, cover and customer satisfaction information. House and contents insuranceHow to get the best house and contents insurance

My suggested shortlist

I'd start with Cove, AMI, AA Insurance and Tower, then add State and Trade Me Insurance to see whether either offers a better price for equivalent cover. Consider MAS as well if customer service is a priority.

To narrow that down, one question: are you renting or do you own your home? That can change which policies are worth comparing first.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · New Zealand

Which NZ contents insurers should I look at?

When looking for contents insurance in New Zealand, several major providers stand out depending on your priorities (price, policy flexibility, or customer satisfaction).

Key Contents Insurance Providers in NZ

  • AA Insurance: Consistently rated well for customer service and claims handling. They offer comprehensive policies with good benefits, though pricing can vary based on location.
  • Tower: Known for user-friendly digital tools, straightforward plain-language policies, and competitive pricing. They are a strong benchmark option for digital-first quotes.
  • AMI & State (IAG Brands): Two of the most widely recognized insurers in New Zealand. They offer robust multi-policy discounts if you bundle contents with car or house insurance, along with added perks like temporary accommodation support.
  • AMP & Trade Me Insurance: Good alternative options offering competitive tier options (such as Trade Me's "Contents Plus") that integrate well with online comparison habits.
  • FMG (Farmers Mutual Group): Frequently wins independent service awards (such as Consumer NZ People's Choice) and is particularly favored by rural and lifestyle block residents.

Tips for Choosing the Right Policy

  1. Calculate Your Total Value Accurately: People frequently underestimate what it would cost to replace everything in their home at once (clothing, electronics, furniture, appliances). Use an online calculator (like Suncorp's contents calculator referenced by consumer guides) to avoid being underinsured.
  2. Check "Sum Insured" vs. Specific Sub-Limits: Review how each policy treats high-value items. Standard contents policies often cap payouts for single items like jewellery, watches, or art unless you specify and list them separately.
  3. Evaluate Excess vs. Premium: A higher excess (the amount you pay out-of-pocket on a claim) will lower your regular fortnightly or monthly premium. Choose a balance you can comfortably afford if you need to make a claim.
  4. Look Into Bundling: If you already hold car or house insurance with a provider, check if they offer a multi-policy discount for adding contents.
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · New Zealand

Which NZ contents insurers should I look at?

AI Overview

When shopping for contents insurance in New Zealand, your choice should balance premium costs with policy limits, especially for high-value items like electronics and jewelry. The NZ market features trusted industry giants, specialized customer favorites, and digital-first challengers.

My primary recommendation is to look at FMG or MAS if you prioritize customer satisfaction, or Tower if you want highly customizable, risk-based pricing.

Top Recommended Insurers

Insurer Key Highlights & Awards Best For...
FMG • Winner of the Consumer NZ People's Choice Award for 8 consecutive years.
• Outstanding industry reputation for claims handling. Customer Service & Claims Reliability
MAS (Medical Assurance Society) • Consumer NZ People's Choice winner for 9 consecutive years.
• Open to all professionals, not just medical fields. High Customer Satisfaction
Tower Insurance • Canstar’s Home & Contents Insurer of the Year (2024–2026).
• Offers tiered coverage levels (Standard, Plus, Premium). Flexibility & Risk-Based Pricing

Other Major Providers to Consider

  • AA Insurance: Consistently highly rated for customer service and offers a "one event, one excess" feature (if an event damages both your car and contents, you only pay one excess).

  • AMI & State: Both are massive, well-established brands owned by IAG. They regularly offer competitive online sign-up perks (like digital gift cards) and solid multi-policy bundle discounts.

  • Trade Me Insurance & Initio: Digital-first options that operate with lower overheads, frequently providing cheaper online quotes for straightforward, standard coverage.

Crucial Fine Print to Watch Out For

  • Sub-limits on Electronics: Most standard policies cap payouts on mobile phones or laptops (e.g., $500 to $3,000 per item) unless you specifically specify them and pay an extra premium.

  • The "Invited Guest" Exclusion: In NZ, most contents policies will not pay out if your belongings are stolen by someone you voluntarily invited into your house (such as a flatmate or a party guest).

  • Hidden Gradual Damage: If an internal pipe leaks slowly over time and ruins your furniture, look for policies that include "hidden gradual damage" (usually capped around $3,000).

To narrow down your options, I can help you figure out exactly how much cover you need. Let me know:

  • Are you renting (flatting) or do you own the home?

  • Do you have specific high-value items like e-bikes, expensive jewelry, or high-end laptops?

  • Would you prefer to bundle this with car or house insurance?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · New Zealand

Which NZ contents insurers should I look at?

When looking for contents insurance in New Zealand, several major, well-established providers stand out for market presence, customer trust, and comprehensive policy options.

The prominent contents insurers to consider include:

  • AA Insurance : Frequently recognised for customer service and brand trust, winning consecutive Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand awards for general insurance. They offer flexible policies with optional add-ons.

  • Tower : Named Canstar’s Home & Contents Insurer of the Year, Tower is known for its user-friendly digital platform, flexible excess options, and straightforward online quoting system.

  • AMI : One of New Zealand's widely used domestic insurers with a strong nationwide branch network and comprehensive portable items or accidental damage add-ons.

  • State : Another major brand under the IAG umbrella (alongside AMI), providing competitive general policies, online discounts, and solid customer support.

  • Trade Me Insurance : Underwritten by major insurers, they offer streamlined digital policies that can be convenient if you prefer managing services online or want a competitive alternative. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • AMP : Provides standard contents options that can be bundled or evaluated alongside other personal financial or insurance products. [MoneyHub NZ]

Key Tips Before Deciding

  • Scope of Cover : Check whether the policy pays out for replacement value (new for old) or indemnified/market value (depreciated). Most standard policies default to replacement value, but it's vital to confirm.

  • Excess and Premiums : Adjusting your excess (the amount you pay upfront on a claim) from $250 to $500 can often lower your annual premium, but make sure it remains affordable if you need to claim.

  • Comparison Tools : Because premiums vary based on your specific location, security measures, and sum insured, you can use MoneyHub to review detailed breakdowns or use comparison platforms like Quashed or Canstar New Zealand to run tailored quotes.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

  • Are you insuring as a homeowner or a renter?
  • Roughly how much total value are your contents worth?
Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026