Difference between answer and reply

#6 - not all answers are right or helpful

For me, an 'answer' is a germane response to a question (whether presumed to be correct or not).

Whereas, a 'reply' need not be germane. Nor is a question essential to obtain one. Largely, the words 'reply' and 'response' are synonymous in this context.

Most often an 'answer' arises out of a question, whereas a reply doesn't need to, or may be at odds with it [i.e. Presidential press conference].

A reply can be a non sequitur; while an answer shouldn't.