Contrary to popular opinion, not every insurance company is out to get you, and it's not every insurance company that will disect the fine-print until they find some way of denying your insurance claim. However, you do need to shop around for the financial products and insurance policies that are the best suited for your individual needs.

That's why insurance policies, and other financial products, from Marks & Spenser are so useful. M&S Money financial products are, of course, designed to make Mark's & Spencer a profit, but there is no denying that they are also very good value for money, offering many features as standard which you'd often need to pay extra for at other insurance companies.

Take, for example, House Insurance policies. Usually, UK House Insurance policies have limits on particular types of items such as freezer contents, garden furniture and outdoor toys, outbuildings or cars, etc. These restrictions are called inner limits. However, the only inner limits on the M&S Money House Insurance policy are £500 for cash; £2m for property-owners and personal liability; £10m for domestic employees liability and £40,000 for tenants liability. Even better is the fact that you're likely to pay no more for M&S Money House Insurance than you will anywhere else, and you may even pay less with M&S.

Not so long ago, only banks and traditional insurance companies offered financial or insurance products, yet today it may often seem as if even the local corner shop is offering financial products. That's not quite true, of course, but many more companies do offer financial products than used to be the case, and it can sometimes be difficult to decide who is offering the best deal.

And, while Marks and Spenser once offered mostly fashion products, with the only hint of a credit card being when you paid for your shopping at the checkout, today you'll find as good a deal on M&S credit cards as you will with the latest range of M&S fashion.

In fact, these days Marks & Spencers, through its M&S Money website, offer a range of financial products which would not look out of place in many banks, including M&S Car Insurance, M&S House Insurance, M&S Travel Insurance, M&S Pet Insurance, savings products, M&S Credit Cards, M&S Loans, and much more besides.

M&S Money offers a variety of financial and insurance products, but Car Insurance is something that almost everyone needs - at least if you own a car. Unfortunately there are so many companies offering Car Insurance today that, after a while, one policy may begin to look much like the next.

Thinking that most Car Insurance policies are much the same is usually a bad idea. At worst it can be a very expensive mistake - this is when you find out that your Car Insurance policy doesn't actually cover you for what you thought it did, or it takes your Car Insurance company months and months to argue over whether to pay you or not. Fortunately M&S Money Car Insurance is not like that at all, and when you compare M&S Car Insurance to the competition then it stacks up quite nicely.

For example, here are just some of the options which come as standard with Marks & Spencer 5 Star Premier cover Car Insurance (correct at May 2009), which are quite often not included with comparable Car Insurance plans from companies such as Direct Line, Sainsburys, or Tesco Direct:

• Personal UK and European Breakdown Cover automatically included
• Comprehensive cover for trips abroad in the European Union - up to 90 days per trip
• Courtesy car during approved repairs automatically included
• Cover for Motor Legal Protection automatically included

So, it is clear that, besides being good value, M&S Car Insurance also provides much more extensive cover than some of the top competitors. Additionally, you don't even need to be behind the wheel to benefit from M&S Money UK and European Breakdown Cover, since it covers you as a passenger too.

Low Back Bra Extender, at Mark's & Spencer
Make your bra backless with this clever bra extender. Ideal for wearing under low backed tops and dresses

Luxury Wrap Platinum Ring, at Marks & Spenser
Platinum plated Diamant detail

Skintex® Anti-Cellulite Thigh Slimmer Spray, at Marks and Spencers
50ml Light control For use on tummy, hips and thighs

Edwardian Lady Peach Jug Mum Birthday Card, at Marks and Spenser
Cover Text: With love on your Birthday Mum Inside Message: Have a wonderful day Approx size: 150 x 150mm The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady Rowen Stott (Designs) Ltd and RW.UK. Ltd 2008

Jet Pocket Bootleg Trousers, at Marks and Spenser
Fashionable and fabulous, bootcuts flatter curves and make legs look longer. This pair sits on the waist and is designed to give a shapely feminine silhouette. A look that's always in style

Classic Non-Wired Padded Lace Bra, at Marks & Spencer
Non-wired to provide you with a more natural silhouette. This great bra offers superior support thanks to adjustable straps and added stretch, while the lace design has a feminine touch

Secret Support™ Sports Mules, at Marks and Spencer
The ultimate in comfort, these sport slippers are made with hidden support that moulds to the natural contours of your feet. They are machine washable for added convenience

Pure Cotton Baby Bunny Sleeping Bag, at Marks and Spencers
Popper button fastening Embroidered bunny design Stripe design Tog rating 2 0-6 months: L68 x W47cm 6-12 months: L68 x W54cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Chianti Classico 2006 - Case of 6, at Marks and Spencer
Style: Full bodied Grape variety: Sangiovese Country of origin: Italy Closure: Natural cork Suitable for vegetarians Bottle: 6 x 75cl. Alcohol by volume: 13.5% vol. Alcohol units per bottle: 10.1 Alcohol units per 125ml: 1.7 Contains sulphites You must be 18 or over to purchase this product This product is not available for international delivery. Find out more

Summer Manor Pasta Bowl, at Marks&Spencer
Floral trim design Dishwasher and microwave safe, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Autograph Heritage Large Wine Glass, at Marks & Spensers
Contemporary design Ribbed detail H23cm, 42cl, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Tonal Stripe Shower Curtain, at Marks & Spencers
Tonal stripe design L180 x W180cm, Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Big & Tall Blue Harbour Pure Cotton Straight Leg Jeans, at Marks and Spencer
Comfortable and stylish, these pure cotton straight leg jeans are outstanding value!

3 Cool & Fresh Cotton Rich Assorted Trunks, at Marks and Spenser
Made from soft breathable cotton, these comfy trunks are ideal for everyday wear.

T345623S, at Mark's & Spencer
Manufacturer: Marks & Spencer

Per Una Bronzing Pearls, at Marks and Spencer
Soft smooth texture Hypo-allergenic Carmine free and GMO free Animal Free - No ingredients of animal origin

Perfect Double Button Wide Leg Trousers, at Marks & Spencer
Wide leg trousers work with boots or heels for a feminine, flattering silhouette. Button detailing gives this pair extra style

Blue Harbour Luxury Herringbone Jeans, at M & S
These luxury jeans have a crease resist and anti-fade finish so even the darker colours stay true for longer. With added comfort stretch you will stay smart and comfortable all day long

Autograph Leather Overnight Rollercase, at Marks and Spencers
Stylish and contemporary, this leather overnight bag is a fashionable and practical must-have

Pure Cotton Quick Iron Long Sleeve Stripe Shirt, at Marks&Spencer
Stylish and innovative, this pure cotton easycare shirt is quick and easy to iron for a smart crisp look.

Faux Crocodile Skin Overnight Bag, at Marks and Spencers
Fashionable and practical, this overnight bag is capacious but not bulky. Crocodile skin design adds a stylish touch

Grow Your Own Veg By Carol Klein & The Royal Horticultural Society, at Marks & Spencers
In this book to accompany the BBC TV series 'Grow Your Own Veg!', TV presenter and highly-regarded gardener Carol Klein creates a lavishly illustrated, practical and inspiring beginner's handbook to everything anyone ever needs to know to grow vegetables, salads and herbs all year round

Per Una Multi Strand Animal Bead Necklace, at Marks and Spencers
Clasp fastening Multi strand Mixed animal print bead design Necklace length: 46cm

Autograph Pure Silk Chichen Itza Stripe Tie, at Marks and Spencer
Fashionable and contemporary, this pure silk tie is part of our exclusive Autograph collection. Designer style and luxury at high street prices

Silver Plated Glitter Stick Earrings, at Marks and Spencer
Hook fastening Single strand design Diamant detail For hygiene reasons, refunds will only be given in accordance with your legal rights

Collezione Cotton Rich Single Breasted 3 Button Jacket, at Marks & Spencers
Italian tailoring is renowned for its sophisticated style. Each collezione suit is designed with that same passion, using the finest fabrics and best tailoring techniques. Inspired by Italian flair, we've lavished time and care on this garment to give you a feeling of luxury like no other

Ingredients Mandarin Lip Butter, at MarksandSpencer
To help soften and smooth your lips Mandarin flavoured balm

4 Pairs of Fresh Feet Premium Contrast Heel & Toe Socks, at Mark & Spencers
The innovative Aegis Active Freshness system will keep these socks smelling fresh and odour free and its permanently built into the sock to perform wash after wash. Theyre cotton rich for soft natural comfort and have a reinforced heel and toe for extra durability

Scoop Neck Stripe Tie Waist Top, at Marks and Spencer
This fab short sleeve top features a stunning stripe design. A sophisticated new look, perfect for this season

Cotton Rich Straight Leg Bi-Stretch Trousers, at Marks & Spencer
Simple and stylish, straight leg trousers are a modern classic. This pair sits on the waist and are cut to give a flattering shape that's always in style. Added stretch gives the perfect fit.

Besides MarksandSpencer Car Insurance, M&S Money Credit Cards and other financial products, M&S Money House Insurance deserves particular mention, with it being particularly good value for money, and providing extra insurance cover that many UK insurance companies either don't provide at all, or would charge extra for.

With M&S Money Premier Contents policy, for example, student's belongings are not only covered at home, but also at college or university. Additionally, dependent relatives are also covered if their belongings happen to be in a nursing home. Even better still, your Marks and Spencer purchases are also protected while you take them home.

Also, on both M&S Money Premier House Insurance and Standard House Insurance policies, you can choose to include Contents Away From Home. This option would then provide valuable cover all of your personal belongings on a worldwide basis.